West Sylvia Lake
Wright County, Minnesota904 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for West Sylvia Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Oligotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- 2 aquatic invasives
- 97 ft max depth
- Public access
West Sylvia Lake in Wright County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 22 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 97 ft. Surface area: 904.39 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 21, 2025 caught 31.55 bluegill per hour of electrofishing at West Sylvia Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–9 inches. DNR survey details →
Free interactive depth-contour map of West Sylvia Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 80 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Minnesota DNR.
West Sylvia Lake is a 904-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Wright County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 97 feet (33-foot average). Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 15 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available. Compared to the 50 other monitored lakes in Wright County, West Sylvia Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-17. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
What West Sylvia Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water22 ft of visibility
- Fishing15 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 23
- Deep water97 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. West Sylvia Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether West Sylvia Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for West Sylvia Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for West Sylvia Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Crystal clear, you can see 22 ft down. Phosphorus 8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 1.8 µg/L. TSI 34.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 22ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | 8µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | 1.8µg/L | Good GoodFairPoor |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 34 | Oligotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water. No reading is a swimming clearance.
Ask about West Sylvia Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
West Sylvia Lake typically sits around 68°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 67°F. Usually warmest in Jun (about 73°F) and coldest in Apr (about 43°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (43°F) to its warmest (73°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 191 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full West Sylvia Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for West Sylvia Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was high (387,258 cells/mL) on May 9, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 21, 2025 caught 31.55 bluegill per hour of electrofishing at West Sylvia Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–9 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows West 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
13 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-21 (Targeted Survey).
13 surveys on file · most recent 2025-07-21 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 28.83 | 4–21 in 2025-07-21 | 0.69 lb |
| Bluegill | 13.56 | 3–9 in 2025-07-21 | 0.19 lb |
| Yellow Bullhead | 8.96 | 5–12 in 2025-07-21 | 0.63 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 7.45 | 1 in 2002-07-29 | |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 5.22 | 3–8 in 2025-07-21 | 0.29 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
Bluntnose Minnow
From the 2025-07-21 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in West 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 West Sylvia Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — West Lake SylviaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — West Lake Sylvia (2010)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — West Lake SylviaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — West Lake SylviaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
97 ft
Average depth
32.7 ft
Surface area
904 acres
Shoreline
12.7 mi
Littoral zone
27%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Stays via Stay22
Stays near West Sylvia Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near West Sylvia Lake in Wright County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near West Sylvia Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Follow West Sylvia Lake’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing West Sylvia Lake
- → West Sylvia Lake fishing: DNR survey catch rates, species & stocking
- → West Sylvia Lake fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → West Sylvia Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from West Sylvia Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: Worsening
Based on 6 years of monitoring (2020–2025).
Water clarity
Worsening6 years
Phosphorus
Worsening+0.51 µg/L/yr6 years
Chlorophyll-a
Stable+0.01 µg/L/yr6 years
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 23
Earliest Mar 16, 2024 · Latest May 2, 2013
Typical ice-in
Dec 7
Earliest Dec 3, 2007 · Latest Dec 12, 2024
Most recent ice-out
Mar 16
2024
15 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
West Sylvia Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN86-0279-00 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Wright County
Frequently asked questions about West Sylvia Lake
Where is West Sylvia Lake?
- West Sylvia Lake is a lake in Wright County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of West Sylvia Lake?
- West Sylvia Lake in Wright County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 22 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 97 ft. Surface area: 904.39 acres.
Is West Sylvia Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. West Sylvia Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for mercury. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of West Sylvia Lake?
- West Sylvia Lake typically sits around 68°F at the surface in October, from 191 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is West Sylvia Lake?
- West Sylvia Lake has a maximum depth of 97 feet and an average depth of 32.7 feet. The lake covers 904.39 acres.
What fish are in West Sylvia Lake?
- Fish species found in West Sylvia Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. West Sylvia Lake is located in Wright County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at West Sylvia Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 21, 2025 caught 31.55 bluegill per hour of electrofishing at West Sylvia Lake. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–9 inches. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows West 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.
When does West Sylvia Lake thaw?
- West Sylvia Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 23. Ice typically forms around Dec 7. The open water season is approximately 228 days.
Does West Sylvia Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for West Sylvia Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was high (387,258 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Can I fish at West Sylvia Lake?
- Public access to West Sylvia Lake is listed as yes on the lake record. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore West Sylvia Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Wright County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its readings
Lakes in the Crow River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Minnesota's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
More lakes in Minnesota
State Parks Near West Sylvia Lake
Other Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare West Sylvia Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
165 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA165 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate