Sylvan lake is located 8 miles west of Brainerd and is over 800 acres in size.  Sylvan is known for its clarity, which is over 20 feet.  The maximum depth of Sylvan is 57 feet deep.

Sylvan is over looked by its big brother the Gull lake chain which is located just north of Sylvan Lake.  This makes Sylvan a more quiet and serene body of water.  Like most lakes it has a wide variety of recreation activities.  Boating and fishing being the most popular activities.  There are crappie, sunfish, bowfin, bullhead, burbot, largemouth bass, northern pike, perch and walleye.  Walleye have been stocked in Sylvan since 1948 and is currently part of a research study designed to evaluate different stocking methods.

Sylvan Lake has both an upper and lower part of the lake.  There is a .75 mile channel separating the two parts of the lake with a small portion that is a no wake zone.  Sylvan no longer has the luxury of Kavanugh’s Resort.  Recently the resort has been converted into condos and their premiere restaurant is missed by many of the locals.