White Swan Lake
About White Swan Lake
White Swan Lake is a 165-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 19 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 11 feet, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2006.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 13, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to White Swan Lake
- 165 acres, up to 19 feet deep, near Bigfork
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 9.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 165 acres
- Max depth
- 19 ft
- Average depth
- 11 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 119 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2006
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 13
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- March 25, 2012
- Latest
- May 5, 2022
- Most recent
- May 5, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to White Swan Lake
Compare White Swan Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Gunny Sack Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork86 acres
1.1 miles away
Bluebill Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell148 acres
1.4 miles away
Round Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork460 acres
1.5 miles away
Bartlet Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork119 acres
1.5 miles away
Wasson Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Taconite438 acres
1.6 miles away
Long Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork346 acres
2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is White Swan Lake?
White Swan Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Bigfork. It covers 165 acres and reaches 19 feet deep.
How big and how deep is White Swan Lake?
White Swan Lake covers 165 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 19 feet and its average depth is about 11 feet.
What fish can you catch at White Swan Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on White Swan Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on White Swan Lake.
Can you swim at White Swan Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at White Swan Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is White Swan Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for White Swan Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on White Swan Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 13, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 25, 2012 and the latest is May 5, 2022.