---
type: lake
name: "Sylvia Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Ward Springs"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 85
max_depth_ft: 56
latitude: 45.75117
longitude: -94.78922
lake_score: 53
dnr_lake_id: "73024900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/sylvia-lake
---

# Sylvia Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Ward Springs

- **Surface Area**: 85 acres
- **Max Depth**: 56 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 53/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Sylvia Lake is an 85-acre lake near Ward Springs in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 56 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2018.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 10 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2018
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 15
- **Years of record**: 10
- **Earliest**: 2026-04-08
- **Latest**: 2008-04-25

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/little-birch-lake) - 1.7 miles, 839 acres
- [Big Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/big-birch-lake) - 2.7 miles, 2,107 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/cedar-lake) - 3.9 miles, 95 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/long-lake-saint-rosa) - 4.8 miles, 92 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/bass-lake-grey-eagle) - 5.5 miles, 94 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/long-lake-spaulding) - 5.7 miles, 230 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.75117,-94.78922)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73024900)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/sylvia-lake)*