Little Spirit Lake

How big is Little Spirit Lake?

How deep is Little Spirit Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Little Spirit Lake?

What are the closest cities to Little Spirit Lake?

Are there boat launches on Little Spirit Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Little Spirit Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Little Spirit Lake?

Little Spirit Lake is a 643-acre lake located on the Minnesota-Iowa border in Jackson County. Little Spirit Lake has a history of experiencing varying levels of winterkill and summer kill conditions due to low dissolved oxygen in the winter and severe algae blooms in the summer. Thus, Little Spirit Lake is aerated by the Jackson County Conservation League to reduce winterkill frequency and/or severity. In terms of invasive species, Little Spirit Lake is on the frontline, as Bighead and Silver Carp were sampled in Big Spirit Lake, which is hydrologically connected to Little Spirit Lake. Additionally, Zebra Mussels are established in East and West Lake Okoboji, which are in close proximity to Big and Little Spirit Lakes. Since the late 2000's, the Minnesota DNR has taken the lead on stocking Little Spirit Lake to prevent overstocking. It is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. A survey was conducted the week of June 14, 2016 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and 12 trap nets. The Largemouth Bass population was not assessed in this survey.

The 2016 catch rate of 11.0 per gill net was the highest Walleye catch rate since 1997. The catch rate exceeded the long term average of 8.3 per gill net, and exceeded the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.0 to 7.3 per gill net). Walleye ranged in length from 8.2 to 25.7 inches and averaged 16.5 inches. Mean length at age-3 was 17.3 inches, which is fast growth, likely a result of abundant forage. Age-2 Walleye (2014 year class) and age-3 Walleye (2013 year class) accounted for 44 percent and 53 percent of the sample, respectively. The 2013 year class corresponds to a fry stocking, but the 2014 year class does not, suggesting that the 2014 year class came from Big Spirit Lake or natural reproduction occurred. A strong year class of age-0 Walleye was present during the 2015 fall electrofishing (fry stocked year), but were not sampled in the 2016 survey (now age-1). The 2015 year class may not have been vulnerable to the gill net and thus not sampled, or they may have not survived through the winter. Anglers reported good Walleye fishing during the spring of 2016.

Black Crappie were captured at a rate of 0.7 per trap net, which is below the long-term average of 7.3 per trap net and the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.4 to 15.1 per trap net). Black Crappie ranged from 3.4 to 8.4 inches and averaged 6.7 inches.

Yellow Perch catch rates have varied from 0.0 per gill net in 2012 to 125.8 per gill net in 1997 and have averaged 23.0 per gill net since 1985. The 2016 catch rate was 11.7 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (3.0 to 26.5 per gill net). Lengths of yellow perch ranged from 5.4 to 10.2 inches and averaged 7.0 inches.

Black Bullhead numbers decline from 163.3 per gill net in 2012 to 13.3 per gill net in 2016. Lengths of Black bullheads ranged from 7.5 to 14.0 inches and averaged 11.7 inches. The Shortnose Gar catch rate was 11.3 per gill net in 2016, similar to the 2012 catch rate of 13.0 per gill net. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Northern Pike, White Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.

What is the average air temp for Little Spirit Lake?

Are there any state parks near Little Spirit Lake?