West Lake Sylvia

How big is West Lake Sylvia?

How deep is West Lake Sylvia?

What kind of fish can you catch in West Lake Sylvia?

What are the closest cities to West Lake Sylvia?

Are there boat launches on West Lake Sylvia?

Are there places to eat and drink near West Lake Sylvia?

What are the fishing regulations for West Lake Sylvia?

There are specific fishing regulations West Lake Sylvia that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in West Lake Sylvia?

East and West Sylvia Lakes are located three miles south of South Haven in western Wright County. East Sylvia is 669 acres with a maximum depth of 78 feet. West Sylvia is 904 acres with a maximum depth of 97 feet. The two basins are connected by a wide, navigable channel. The lakes have excellent water clarity due to their depth and a small watershed consisting mainly of open water, row crops and forest. Late July Secchi readings for East and West Sylvia were 23 and 22 feet. A large public access is located on the southwest end of West Sylvia with ample parking. Both lakes are very popular in the summer for recreational boating and fishing. The lakes are primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike. The last survey was done in 2008.

Emergent vegetation was common along the lake shore for both lakes, primarily waterlilies, wild rice, cattail and bulrush. Submerged plants were not surveyed in 2015; chara and coontail were the dominant species in 2008. Eurasian milfoil is present in the lake; users should be careful not to spread this invasive plant to other lakes.

Walleye numbers were low and nearly unchanged from 2008; Walleye size was good and similar to 2008. The Walleye catch rate for both lakes was at the low end of the expected range of values for similar lakes. Combined lengths ranged from 10.3 to 24.2 inches with average lengths of 20.2 inches from East Sylvia and 18.4 inches from West Sylvia. Walleye ages ranged from 1 to 14 years old with most fish spread between ages 1 and 7. Growth was fast; average length at age 1 was 11 inches. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked every other year, most recently in 2014.

Northern Pike catches were slightly lower in 2015 than in 2008, but were within the expected range of values for similar lakes. Northern Pike were relatively small; lengths ranged from 5.4 to 30.3 inches with an average length of 19.7 inches for East Sylvia and 18.4 inches for West Sylvia. Only 13% of pike were 24 inches or longer from East Sylvia and 10% from West Sylvia. An experimental regulation for Northern Pike was implemented in 2009 with a protected slot limit of 24 to 36 inches with one over 36 inches allowed in the statewide bag limit of three. No significant effect was evident in 2015, but more time is needed to evaluate the effect of the regulation.

Largemouth Bass were abundant and small. During nighttime electrofishing in May 2015, the catch rate was 210/hour and 144/hour for East and West Sylvia, well above the Sauk Rapids Area nighttime average of 74/hour. Only the West basin was electrofished in 2008, with a result of 73/hour. Both basins had catch rates over 300/hour in 2002. Lengths in 2015 ranged from 5.0 to 17.1 inches with an average length of 10.6 inches. Only 2% of Largemouth Bass were 15 inches or longer on East Sylvia and 3% on West Sylvia. Given the high number of small bass, anglers are encouraged to harvest some smaller bass and release larger fish.

Bluegill catches were in the expected range of values for East and West Sylvia. Results in 2008 were higher for East and lower for West Sylvia. These results are within the historical range of catches for both lakes. Combined Bluegill lengths in 2015 ranged from 3.3 to 8.4 inches; East and West Sylvia had average lengths of 5.7 and 5.4 inches. Additionally, both lakes were netted in June during spawning to better assess sunfish numbers and size. Bluegill catches were similar for East and West Sylvia and higher than standard survey results in July. Bluegill size was also larger; combined lengths ranged from 1.8 to 9.6 inches with an average length of 7.1 inches for East Sylvia and 6.6 inches for West Sylvia. Among catchable size Bluegill (> 3 inches), 15% were 8 inches or longer from East Sylvia and 10% from West Sylvia. Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish and Pumpkinseed were also caught in lower numbers than Bluegill.

Black Crappie numbers were low, similar to 2008 results for both lakes and at the low end of the range of expected values. Lengths ranged from 5.9 to 11.8 inches with an average length of 9.2 inches for East Sylvia and 8.2 inches for West Sylvia. Black Crappie catches on both lakes have been low historically; however, the lakes have a large amount of deep water, making summer assessment difficult. Targeted sampling for Black Crappie around spawning time would likely give a better picture of numbers and size.

Only five Yellow Perch were caught in the survey for both lakes and all gears combined; Yellow Perch catch rates have been low since the 1970s. Lengths ranged from 6.4 to 6.7 inches with an average length of 6.5 inches.

Other species caught during the survey included: Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Common Carp, Green and Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Rock Bass. Notably absent was White Sucker; only one was caught in 2008 and few have been caught in the past.

What is the average air temp for West Lake Sylvia?