Big Swan Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Big Swan Lake is mapped to a depth of 30 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 694 acres in Meeker County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1972.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 30 ft
- Survey year
- 1972
- Surface area
- 694 acres
- Shoreline
- 6.02 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 1% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Big Swan Lake Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site
Additional depth details6 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–30 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 30 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 45.14290, -94.28229
- MN DNR lake ID
- 47003800
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.66×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.2 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Big Swan Lake has a mixed natural and developed setting, moderate open-water exposure, some nearby classified roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Mixed | 13.6 of 35 | 47% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (14% forest, 30% wetland; 19% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Good | 10.3 of 29 | mean fetch 1,938 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · moderate open-water fetch |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Good | 15.0 of 18 | 1 DNR public access site · boat ramp |
| Road isolation | Good | 10.7 of 18 | some nearby classified roads · 5 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 1,295 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 1% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Moderate — 14% forest and 30% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking19 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
Bigmouth Buffalo
Silver Redhorse
White Sucker
Shorthead Redhorse
Hybrid Sunfish
About these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2016Gamefish Northern Pike 93 · Walleye 80 · Channel Catfish 72 · Bowfin 20
Panfish Bluegill 85 · Black Crappie 83 · Yellow Perch 26
All survey species19 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2017–2022Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
1 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2024 (listed 2024).
How to identify invasive species in Minnesota lakes →
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Big Swan Lake — common questions
How deep is Big Swan Lake?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Big Swan Lake is 30 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Big Swan Lake?
Big Swan Lake covers about 694 acres in Meeker County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Big Swan Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, black bullhead. The page lists all 19 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Big Swan Lake?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists a public access site on Big Swan Lake: a boat ramp with a boat dock. It is administered by the DNR Division of Parks and Trails. DNR directions: "3.5 mi SE of Kingston to N shore."
