Swamp

Cass County

Near Wilkinson

DOW: 11048300

Black CrappieExcellent · 79Yellow PerchExcellent · 75Northern PikeGood · 53

A 600-acre lake near Wilkinson in Cass County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1971.

Fish Species (8)

Black Crappie

Excellent · 79

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.94 lbs

Catch rate: 3.7 per trap net · typical 0.7–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	3.67	-	0.94 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 75

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 18.6 per gill net · typical 3.8–22.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	2.83	-	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 11, 1971	18.60	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 53

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.23 lbs

Catch rate: 1.6 per gill net · typical 3.6–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	1.60	-	2.23 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 11, 1971	1.50	-	1.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 47

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 4–28.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	0.17	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 43

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

4.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per gill net · typical 1–3.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	0.20	-	4.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 31

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 1.5–6.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	0.17	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Black Bullhead

Good · 54

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 11.8 per trap net · typical 0.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	9.60	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 11, 1971	11.83	-	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 48

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.21 lbs

Catch rate: 2.2 per gill net · typical 0.7–3.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 11, 1971	2.20	-	1.21 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 11, 1971	0.50	-	2.23 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best black crappie lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 11, 1971The lake had a complete winter kill in 1956. The lake is fished primarily for northern pike with good sizes and numbers reported. The lake is used for…

The lake had a complete winter kill in 1956. The lake is fished primarily for northern pike with good sizes and numbers reported. The lake is used for dark house spearing in winter. Besides northern pike, the lake also used to provide good walleye catches but none in recent years.The lake provides an excellent waterfowl and beaver habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Swamp?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Walleye in Swamp. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Swamp?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Swamp. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Swamp?

Swamp has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Swamp last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Swamp is from 1971. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Swamp have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Swamp in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Swamp?

No — Swamp has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.