Silver Lake (Dickinson)

General Information

Amenities

• Boat Access
• Boat Rental
• Picnic Area
• Restrooms
• Camping
• Hard Surface Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

Fishing Forecast

Spring 2011 D.C. Electrofishing Assessment– A spring electrofishing assessment was conducted on Silver Lake to assess the subadult and adult fish populations. A total of 67 white bass were sampled during the 2011 spring electrofishing survey for a catch rate of 0.9 fish per minute. (1.2 fish per minute; 2010 spring electrofishing assessment).White bass catch rates have remained relatively unchanged the past two years indicating a fairly stable white bass population in Silver Lake. Length frequency analysis reflects a white bass population comprised of quality (9.0 – 11.9 inches) and preferred (> 12.0 inches) size fish representing 51 and 49 percent; respectively, of the total white bass catch. No stock (6.0 – 8.9 inches) size fish were sampled during the 2011 spring electrofishing assessment, suggesting limited or no recruitment of the white bass population of Silver Lake. Age IV (2008 year class) continues to dominate the catch representing 82% of the total white bass catch. A white bass PSD value of 100% suggests the presence of good numbers of angler acceptable size and larger white bass in Silver Lake. Growth rates of the Silver Lake white bass population are good with the maximum attainable length of approximently 13.7 inches. A white bass relative weight of 92 is slightly below the 95 – 105 target range indicating a fish population in fairly good body condition. Black crappie (n=2), channel catfish (n = 6), bluegill (n=2), and largemouth bass (n=2) were sampled in low numbers, which was inadequate to properly assess these fish species of Silver Lake. (2011)

Lake Maps

You can zoom in on the map for bathymetric information for some lakes

Popular Fish Species at this Lake

• Bigmouth buffalo
• Black bullhead
• Black crappie
• Bluegill
• Carp
• Channel Catfish
• Freshwater Drum
• Green sunfish
• Johnny darter
• Largemouth Bass
• Northern Pike
• Orangespotted sunfish
• Tadpole madtom
• Walleye
• White Bass
• White crappie
• White sucker
• Yellow bullhead
• Yellow Perch

Regulations

• Fishing Regulations

Fish Surveys

Lake Fish Survey Data Data from the most recent fisheries survey of this lake is provided on this external web site. This data may include information from various netting surveys and/or electroshocking surveys. Data includes numbers of fish sampled, and fish size ranges. Not all lakes are sampled every year.

Lake Mini-report

Lake Reports Summary report information about selected (~130) lakes regarding water quality, upstream land use, usage, economic value and more. Reports are customizable by the user to include only that information which the user desires to include.

Water Quality

• Water Quality Reports
• Iowa Water Web

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information. Here is a list of current fish consumption advisories for Iowa lakes and rivers.