West Lake Sylvia
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Depth scale
Survey readout
West Lake Sylvia is mapped to a depth of 80 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 905 acres in Wright County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1959.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 80 ft
- Survey year
- 1959
- Surface area
- 905 acres
- Shoreline
- 12.22 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 1% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Twin/Sylvia Lake Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site
Additional depth details9 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–80 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 80 ft, 40 ft, 20 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
- 45.24859, -94.21636
- MN DNR lake ID
- 86027900
- Vertical exaggeration
- 1.4×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.4 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25West Lake Sylvia has a partly natural 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 | Good | 18.2 of 35 | 62% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (47% forest, 10% wetland; 25% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Good | 12.8 of 29 | mean fetch 1,580 m · 3% 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 | 10.6 of 18 | some nearby classified roads · 2 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 802 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 — 47% forest and 10% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking12 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
Hybrid Sunfish
About these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2025Gamefish Largemouth Bass 193 · Northern Pike 76 · Walleye 17 · Bowfin 4
Panfish Bluegill 111 · Pumpkinseed 101 · Hybrid Sunfish 88
All survey species12 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2016–2024Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
2 confirmed, 1 via connectionMussels & snails
- Zebra MusselListed in 2017 because this water is connected to East Sylvia (86-0289). The species has not necessarily been found in this lake.
Plants & algae
Eurasian WatermilfoilConfirmed in this water in 2008 (listed 2008).
Starry StonewortConfirmed in this water in 2016 (listed 2016).
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
West Lake Sylvia — common questions
How deep is West Lake Sylvia?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of West Lake Sylvia is 80 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 West Lake Sylvia?
West Lake Sylvia covers about 905 acres in Wright County, Minnesota.
What fish are in West Lake Sylvia?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, bluegill, bowfin, brown bullhead. The page lists all 12 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to West Lake Sylvia?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists a public access site on West Lake Sylvia: a boat ramp with a boat dock and restrooms. It is administered by the DNR Division of Parks and Trails. DNR directions: "1.5 mi S of South Haven on Cnty Rd 2, then 2 mi S on Quinn Ave to SW shore of Twin Lake."
