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East Silent Lake is located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately six miles west of Dent, MN. East Silent Lake is a 310-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake that is located within the Otter Tail River Watershed. The immediate watershed is primarily composed of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of East Silent Lake is 48 feet. The secchi disk reading during the 2000 lake survey was 16.0 feet which indicates excellent water clarity. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 12.5 to 18.5 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on physical and chemical characteristics of the lakes. East Silent Lake is included in lake class 23 of this classification scheme. East Silent Lake is located within the DNR's Fergus Falls Management Area. The east shoreline of East Silent Lake has been extensively developed. Development is also scattered along the north and south shorelines. Homes, cabins, and resorts compose the majority of the development. Thirty-three homes/cabins and two resorts were counted during the 2000 lake survey. A county owned public water access is located off of County Highway 41 along the west shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as hardstem bulrush or common cattail are rare. East Silent Lake is a popular walleye angling lake. Walleye is the primary management specie and data from recent lake surveys indicate that walleye are abundant. The test-net catch rate of walleye in the 2000 survey exceeds the upper limit of the normal range for class 23 lakes. The walleye test-net catch rate has exceeded the upper limit in every survey conducted on East Silent Lake. Walleye ranged in length from 7.5 to 21.9 inches with an average length and weight of 13.0 inches and 0.8 pounds. The 1998 year class appears to be strong and should provide consistently good walleye angling for several years. Walleye attain an average length of 15.7 inches at four years of age. Growth rates are equivalent to average growth rates for walleye in class 23 lakes in the Fergus Falls Management Area. Data from recent test-netting and electrofishing assessments indicate that walleye natural reproduction can be substantial and that it is contributing significantly to the walleye population. Strong year classes that are the result of natural reproduction appear to be maintaining the walleye population above management goals. This is an indication of the excellent water quality and walleye spawning habitat that is available. To maintain the excellent walleye fishing that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the water quality and spawning habitat. Anglers can also maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.