Swan

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Swan Lake, on August 20, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 15.1 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 97.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 82.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because the DO remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. The temperature at the bottom of the lake was 5.6 degrees C (42.1 degrees F). Instances in which the DO did not reach below 3.0 mg/L and temperature remained below 17.2 degrees C, indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 1973-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1990 and 2014, this data indicated suitable conditions during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 2014, outside the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 68.0 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Swan Lake, on August 20, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 15.1 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 97.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 82.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because the DO remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. The temperature at the bottom of the lake was 5.6 degrees C (42.1 degrees F). Instances in which the DO did not reach below 3.0 mg/L and temperature remained below 17.2 degrees C, indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 1973-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1990 and 2014, this data indicated suitable conditions during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 2014, outside the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 68.0 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Swan Lake, on August 20, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 15.1 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 97.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 82.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because the DO remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. The temperature at the bottom of the lake was 5.6 degrees C (42.1 degrees F). Instances in which the DO did not reach below 3.0 mg/L and temperature remained below 17.2 degrees C, indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 1973-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in years surveyed. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1990 and 2014, this data indicated suitable conditions during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 2014, outside the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 68.0 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

Swan has a maximum depth of 122 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Swan is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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

No — Swan has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.