Spirit Lake

How big is Spirit Lake?

How deep is Spirit Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Spirit Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Spirit Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Spirit Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Spirit Lake

Are there boat launches on Spirit Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Spirit Lake?

Spirit Lake is located approximately six miles south of Aitkin and is one of ten lakes that comprise the Ripple River watershed. The lake is 530 acres with nearly half the lake being less than 15 feet deep and a maximum depth of 49 feet. There is a designated public access at the outlet on the south end of the lake. Shallow water substrates consist primarily of sand, gravel, and rubble, though areas of boulders, muck, and clay are present as well. The aquatic plant community is quite diverse with 45 species present and is integral to maintaining good water quality as well as maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants such as bulrush, as well as coarse woody habitat such as downed trees, are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and to provide essential spawning habitat for bass, panfish, and yellow perch. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.

Spirit Lake has been stocked with walleyes since 1985. Currently walleye fry are stocked annually, with additional fingerling stocking in odd years if fall electrofish catches are low. The 2015 walleye catch of 0.8/gill net was below past catches on Spirit, which average 1.8/gill net, and is below average when compared to other similar lakes. Average length and weight were 15.8" and 1.2 lbs. Walleye spawning does occur in the Ripple River at the outlet to Spirit Lake, although any successfully reproduced walleye cannot re-enter Spirit Lake due to the water control structure, which inhibits fish movement in low water periods of the summer.
The northern pike abundance was above average when compared to similar lakes at 10.2/gill net in 2015. Past catches have ranged from 2.5 to 18.0/gill net with an average of 9.8/gill net. Average length and weight were 19.5" and 1.7 lbs with 13% measuring at least 24". Anglers are encouraged to release the larger pike as they have beneficial effects on the fish community.

Spring electrofishing resulted in a largemouth bass catch rate of 45.5/hr, which is slightly lower than observed in 2010 (67/hr). Average length of these fish was 11.6" with fish up to 19.5" sampled.

Bluegill were caught in average numbers at 12.4/trap net. Black crappie abundance was above average when compared to similar lakes. Additionally, while the gill net catches of crappie are lower than previous years, catches of larger crappie (>10") are more prevalent than in previous surveys. Panfish size structure is generally good with several year classes present.

Yellow perch and tullibee are important forage species for the lake's game fish. Yellow perch were sampled in low numbers in 2015 at 1.4/gill net. Past catches have ranged as high as 18.4/gill net, though the average is 3.1/gill net. The tullibee catch of 0.9/gill net was below average when compared to similar lakes, although similar to past catch rates at Spirit Lake. Water quality, in terms of dissolved oxygen and temperature, offer only marginal habitat for tullibee in Spirit Lake. This issue will be exacerbated with a warming climate, which emphasizes the need for sound management in the shoreland as well as in the remainder of the watershed.

What is the average air temp for Spirit Lake?

Are there any state parks near Spirit Lake?