Big Swan

Todd County, Minnesota — DOW #77002300

211 Surveys

Special Regulations for Big Swan

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

946.56
Acres
45 ft
Max Depth
18 ft
Mean Depth
16
Fish Species
0
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Big Swan. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.6 3

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 7.1 0.09 lb 85
2000-07-24 Survey seining 123.6 618
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 22.8 (normal) 4.4 – 49.0 0.07 lb 274
2000-07-24 Standard electrofishing 2.1 0.29 lb 3
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 10.8 0.19 lb 130
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 10.3 (normal) 4.4 – 49.0 0.15 lb 702
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 29.7 0.04 lb 1010
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 19.8 0.22 lb 198
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 42.8 (normal) 4.4 – 49.0 0.10 lb 342
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 14.3 0.19 lb 172
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 24.5 (normal) 4.4 – 49.0 0.09 lb 294
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 4.8 (normal) 4.4 – 49.0 0.14 lb 172
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 8.3 (normal) 4.4 – 49.0 190
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 9.3 0.19 lb 93
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 84.4 (above normal) 4.4 – 49.0 0.10 lb 675

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.8 0.08 lb 10
2000-07-24 Survey seining 1.6 8
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 1.8 – 7.8 0.11 lb 40
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 2.5 0.23 lb 30
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.8 – 7.8 57
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 1.6 56
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 4.4 0.23 lb 44
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 1.8 – 7.8 0.15 lb 26
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.3 0.22 lb 4
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 2.7 (normal) 1.8 – 7.8 0.16 lb 32
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.8 – 7.8 0.08 lb 17
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.8 – 7.8 15
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 3.7 0.12 lb 37
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 11.1 (above normal) 1.8 – 7.8 0.13 lb 89

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 5.1 (normal) 1.2 – 5.2 0.70 lb 61
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 23.9 (above normal) 1.2 – 10.9 0.58 lb 287
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 23.8 (above normal) 1.2 – 10.9 0.72 lb 286
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 3.0 (normal) 1.2 – 5.2 204
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.1 4
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 20.3 (above normal) 1.2 – 10.9 0.73 lb 203
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 4.9 (normal) 1.2 – 5.2 0.77 lb 39
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 8.3 (normal) 1.2 – 10.9 0.76 lb 100
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 2.6 (normal) 1.2 – 5.2 1.00 lb 31
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 5.3 (above normal) 1.2 – 5.2 191
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.2 – 5.2 2
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 31.5 (above normal) 1.2 – 10.9 0.62 lb 315
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 8.8 (above normal) 1.2 – 5.2 0.71 lb 70

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 4.07 lb 1
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 4.56 lb 12
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.4 3.45 lb 1
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 5.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 402
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 1.0 34
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 4.00 lb 2
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 4.28 lb 11
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 5.62 lb 8
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 4.7 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 169
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 3.7 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 86
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 3.95 lb 4
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 2.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 3.98 lb 16

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 23.6 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.7 0.22 lb 283
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.25 lb 10
2000-07-24 Standard electrofishing 22.7 0.28 lb 33
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.7 0.37 lb 10
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 7.5 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.40 lb 511
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 6.1 0.33 lb 208
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 3.8 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.7 0.38 lb 38
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.40 lb 6
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.7 0.33 lb 22
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.36 lb 11
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 1.4 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.54 lb 49
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 18
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.4 – 2.7 0.22 lb 15
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.23 lb 12

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.6 – 6.8 0.85 lb 8
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.2 1
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.54 lb 1
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.6 – 6.8 0.57 lb 2
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.0 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 1
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.60 lb 2
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.6 – 6.8 1.50 lb 12
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 4
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.50 lb 1
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 0.6 – 6.8 0.61 lb 23

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 2.6 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.87 lb 31
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.6 1.04 lb 3
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 5.7 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.32 lb 68
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.6 14
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.1 4
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.6 1.25 lb 2
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.02 lb 4
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.6 0.87 lb 2
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.68 lb 1
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.6 3
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.6 3
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.6 0.88 lb 5
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.00 lb 10

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard electrofishing 4.8 2.30 lb 7
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 11.8 (above normal) 2.8 – 9.0 2.58 lb 141
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 0.90 lb 4
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 9.8 (above normal) 2.8 – 9.0 3.78 lb 117
2007-03-26 Special trap nets 14.0 1.50 lb 56
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 1.7 2.65 lb 117
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 12.9 2.06 lb 440
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 11.5 (above normal) 2.8 – 9.0 1.97 lb 115
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.6 2.22 lb 5
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 16.1 (above normal) 2.8 – 9.0 2.92 lb 193
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.6 2.23 lb 7
2009-04-08 Special trap nets 20.4 2.72 lb 163
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 2.3 2.22 lb 83
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 11.6 2.49 lb 266
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 13.9 (above normal) 2.8 – 9.0 2.21 lb 139
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.9 1.20 lb 7

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard electrofishing 9.6 0.36 lb 14
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.80 lb 15
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.6 3
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.09 lb 5
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.98 lb 7
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 3.1 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.39 lb 210
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.2 2.70 lb 7
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.53 lb 8
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.30 lb 2
2008-07-28 Standard electrofishing 86.0 0.96 lb 86
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 1.20 lb 7
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.76 lb 7
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 2.2 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.55 lb 79
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 43
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.82 lb 5
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.80 lb 5

BRM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.2 1

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 3.3 – 8.8 2.35 lb 60
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.8 4.04 lb 2
2000-07-24 Standard electrofishing 4.8 0.60 lb 7
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 3.3 – 8.8 2.45 lb 60
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 1.6 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.8 3.61 lb 107
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.1 5.82 lb 4
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 3.3 – 8.8 2.22 lb 60
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 4.50 lb 2
2008-07-28 Standard electrofishing 2.0 0.39 lb 2
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 4.2 (normal) 3.3 – 8.8 2.12 lb 50
2009-04-08 Special trap nets 1.8 4.22 lb 14
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.9 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.8 3.03 lb 31
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 5.38 lb 13
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 3.3 – 8.8 2.32 lb 50
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 2.80 lb 4

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.4 2
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 2.2 0.19 lb 26
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 0.2 0.27 lb 2
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.6 40
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 1.6 55
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.5 0.32 lb 5
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 1.3 0.23 lb 10
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.9 0.20 lb 11
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.2 6
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.8 19
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 1.6 0.16 lb 16
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 5.3 0.18 lb 42

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.8 4
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.13 lb 1
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.3 11
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.15 lb 2
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.23 lb 1
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.10 lb 2

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 9.60 lb 1
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 4.65 lb 1
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.0 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 11.27 lb 1

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 1.8 9

BKF

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 10.6 53

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 6.5 (below normal) 7.0 – 46.3 0.08 lb 78
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.6 3
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.01 lb 3
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 10.3 (normal) 7.0 – 46.3 0.08 lb 124
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 1.1 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 77
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.1 5
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.16 lb 12
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 36.8 (normal) 7.0 – 46.3 0.12 lb 368
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 13.3 (normal) 7.0 – 46.3 0.07 lb 159
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 22
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.6 – 3.5 0.10 lb 7
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 17.6 (normal) 7.0 – 46.3 0.09 lb 176

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 0.6 – 3.9 0.42 lb 27
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.8 4
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.41 lb 11
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 3.9 0.37 lb 12
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 11
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.9 31
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 3.9 0.55 lb 10
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.50 lb 3
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 3.9 0.32 lb 4
2008-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.23 lb 2
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 7
2017-03-20 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 7
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.6 – 3.9 0.46 lb 13
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.5 0.53 lb 3

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 0.8 4

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 0.05 lb 1
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 0.0 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 1
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.1 2
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 3

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-24 Survey seining 7.0 35

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.9 – 4.0 1.69 lb 24
2004-07-26 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.9 – 4.0 2.71 lb 12
2007-03-26 Standard trap nets 4.7 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.1 322
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.0 0.82 lb 1
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 0.9 – 4.0 2.29 lb 8
1991-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.1 3.20 lb 2
2008-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.9 – 4.0 3.19 lb 15
2009-04-08 Standard trap nets 2.6 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.1 93
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 0.6 (below normal) 0.9 – 4.0 2.65 lb 6
1986-07-21 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.1 3.15 lb 2

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-24 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.2 1.46 lb 8
1991-07-22 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.8 – 6.2 2.25 lb 13
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.2 1.10 lb 1

Common Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2015-03-30 Special trap nets 0.1 2

CRP

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1986-07-21 Standard gill nets 0.1 7.20 lb 1

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Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Big Swan. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadCommon CarpGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

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Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.