---
type: lake
name: "Sylvan Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Backus"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 113
max_depth_ft: 26
latitude: 46.84496
longitude: -94.37557
lake_score: 51
dnr_lake_id: "11024600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sylvan-lake-backus
---

# Sylvan Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus

- **Surface Area**: 113 acres
- **Max Depth**: 26 ft
- **Shoreline**: 1.8 miles
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 51/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Sylvan Lake is an 113-acre lake near Backus in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.8 miles of shoreline.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1994.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 8
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 1994
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Ada Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ada-lake) - 1.7 miles, 963 acres
- [Deep Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/deep-portage-lake) - 1.9 miles, 129 acres
- [Hattie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/hattie-lake) - 2.1 miles, 588 acres
- [Big Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/big-portage-lake) - 2.2 miles, 902 acres
- [Ponto Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ponto-lake) - 2.6 miles, 388 acres
- [Hand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/hand-lake) - 3.1 miles, 289 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.84496,-94.37557)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11024600)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sylvan-lake-backus)*