Spurzem Lake

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Spurzem is a 70-acre lake located in the Baker Park Reserve (Three Rivers Park District) in western Hennepin County. The sport fishery consists of bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and northern pike. A population assessment was conducted during June 2009 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish in the lake.

Bluegill catch rates in the 2009 assessment (47/trap net) were 3 times higher than the previous survey in 2003, however, mean weight of an individual fish was high at 0.29 lbs, the same as in 2003. The largest bluegill measured was 9.2 inches and 0.65 lbs. Eighty-three percent were 6 inches or longer and 18% were 8 inches or longer. Growth of bluegill was fast compared to other similar lakes in the West Metro Area, fish were 5.1 inches by age 3.

Black crappie abundance was moderately high (7.2/trap net), additionally, mean weight of an individual was high (0.29 lbs). Size structure has improved since the previous assessment. Eighty-five percent of black crappie sampled were 8 inches or longer and the largest measured was 9.6 inches and 0.43 lbs. Black crappie grew similar to other similar lakes in the West Metro Area reaching 6.5 inches by age 3.

In 2009, yellow perch abundance was the highest ever documented, more than 2.5 times the previous highest catch in 2003 (35.3/gill net). Yellow perch averaged 7.3 inches and 0.18 lbs. The longest measured 10 inches and weighed 0.44 lbs. Thirteen percent of yellow perch sampled were 8 inches or longer and less than one percent were 10 inches or longer. Yellow perch grew faster than in other similar lakes in the West Metro Area, reaching 6.9 inches by age 3.

Two largemouth bass were sampled (13 and 20 inches), however, passive sampling gears, such as trap nets and gill nets, are not effective methods for collecting largemouth bass, so the data presented for this species is not indicative of relative abundance. Electrofishing is the typical method for largemouth bass assessments but was not conducted during this survey.

Northern pike abundance was low (0.75/gill net) and considerably lower than the previous assessment in 2003 (13.8/gill net). The largest pike measured 37.8 inches and 13.78 lbs. Winterkill is not a likely explanation for low numbers as sufficient oxygen has been observed in Spurzem Lake since the previous assessment and there have been no reports of winterkill. The connections to Half Moon Lake and Lake Independence may provide ample corridors for northern pike to move between these lakes.

One walleye was sampled measuring 19.7 inches and 2.58 lbs. Walleye are not stocked in Spurzem Lake; however, they have been present in previous population assessments. It is likely these fish have migrated from the connection to nearby Lake Independence during spring high water events.

Other species sampled in low abundance were black bullhead, bowfin, common carp, golden shiner, pumpkinseed, and yellow bullhead.

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