Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest May 30, 2025
Species recorded at West Silent Lake
9 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 West Silent 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.
Getting on the water
2 public boat landings are recorded on West Silent Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on May 30, 2025 caught 98.58 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at West Silent Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–16 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows West Silent 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
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-05-30 (Targeted Survey).
12 surveys on file · most recent 2025-05-30 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 44.98 | 4–10 in 2025-04-29 | 0.23 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 40.34 | ||
| Largemouth Bass | 33.66 | 2–16 in 2025-05-30 | 0.65 lb |
| Spottail Shiner | 9.71 |
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.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
From the 2025-05-30 survey
West Silent Lake is a 328-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately eight miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 58 feet; however, 36% of the…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for West Silent Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — West SilentFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — West SilentFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — West SilentPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in West Silent Lake?
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on May 30, 2025 caught 98.58 largemouth bass per hour of electrofishing at West Silent Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–16 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 9 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 West Silent Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for West Silent Lake is dated May 30, 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 West Silent Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for West Silent 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 West Silent Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows West Silent 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 West Silent Lake
Top-rated places to stay near West Silent Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Planning a trip to West Silent Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near West Silent Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.