Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 21, 2025
Species recorded at East Sylvia Lake
14 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at East Sylvia Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 21, 2025 caught 0.75 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at East Sylvia Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–18 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows East Sylvia Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
14 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-21 (Targeted Survey).
14 surveys on file · most recent 2025-07-21 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 27.90 | 4–18 in 2025-07-21 | 0.57 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 22.23 | ||
| Bluegill | 18.16 | 3–9 in 2025-07-21 | 0.17 lb |
| Yellow Bullhead | 7.77 | 5–12 in 2025-07-21 | 0.69 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Yellow Bullhead
From the 2025-07-21 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in East Lake Sylvia was conducted on July 21, 2025, by Sauk Rapids fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for East Sylvia Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — East Lake SylviaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — East Lake SylviaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in East Sylvia Lake?
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 21, 2025 caught 0.75 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at East Sylvia Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–18 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 14 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was East Sylvia Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for East Sylvia Lake is dated July 21, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is East Sylvia Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for East Sylvia Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Do the water-quality readings tell me how East Sylvia Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows East Sylvia Lake’s water-quality measurements separately, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
Water-quality readings are not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class: a lake with clear, low-nutrient water can still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near East Sylvia Lake
Top-rated places to stay near East Sylvia Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Planning a trip to East Sylvia Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near East Sylvia Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.