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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Swan Lake

Richland County, North Dakota · about 1,000 acres (1.6 sq mi)

38°F water, calm this morning.

Water38°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today9 mphSE
Best bite3:15 pmto 5:00 pm

About Swan Lake

Swan Lake spreads over about 1,000 acres in Richland County, North Dakota.

It stretches about 3.7 miles end to end with roughly 8.6 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 1,080 ft above sea level. Forman is about 24 miles west. The closest city is Fargo, about 55 miles away.

Size
About 1,000 acres (1.6 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 8.6 miles
End to end
About 3.7 miles
Elevation
About 1,080 ft
County
Richland County

The lake from above

1 1 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise
  • 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph

Saturday Fair

  • 3:45 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 16 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Expect the usual North Dakota mix for a lake this size: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 38°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Fair
    Walleye

    Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

  • Fair
    Northern pike

    Cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

  • Slow
    Largemouth bass

    Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

  • Fair
    Yellow perch

    Cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Back of a cove

    Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

38°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 38° / —° 9 mph SE Sunny
Saturday 41° / 20° 17 mph SSE Sunny
Sunday 51° / 26° 17 mph S Sunny

Sunrise 7:26 am · sunset 4:58 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Swan Lake

  • Formanabout 24 mi west
  • Wahpetonabout 25 mi northeast
  • Breckenridgeabout 26 mi northeast
  • Sissetonabout 29 mi south
  • Fargonearest city, about 55 mi north

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Questions about Swan Lake

What fish are in Swan Lake?

Lakes like Swan Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Swan Lake?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Swan Lake?

About 1,000 acres, with about 8.6 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Swan Lake?

Forman is about 24 miles west; Wahpeton is about 25 miles northeast.

What is the water temperature at Swan Lake today?

The surface was about 38°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Swan Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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