Spring Lake

How big is Spring Lake?

How deep is Spring Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Spring Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Spring Lake?

Spring Lake is a 194 acre, 60-foot deep lake located 5 miles northwest of Crane Lake, MN. The lake has a rocky shoreline and the immediate watershed is steep and heavily forested. The lake basin itself is typified by steep drop-offs with only two shallower bays located on the southeast end of the lake. With its location at the top of the watershed, Spring Lake contains relatively clear water (secchi disk visibility = 12.5') with low fertility typical of Canadian Shield lakes. Spring is located within the Superior National Forest and access is remote. A wilderness resort (Sherrick's) is located on neighboring Johnson Lake.

Spring Lake is stocked with yearling lake trout every other year. Initial stocking occurred in the late-1960's with fry and fingerlings but was not successful in creating a population. Annual stocking took place from 2000 through 2005 at which point management switched to the biannual stocking strategy.

Only one lake trout was caught during the 2009 investigation for a gillnet abundance of 0.17/net. During the previous investigation, 2004, the lake trout introduction had appeared to be successful. Twenty-three trout had been caught for a gillnet abundance of 3.83/net. Sporadic reports from anglers indicated that lake trout were being caught, primarily in the winter, since the 2004 investigation. Unfortunately, the 2009 catch was less than expected. The single lake trout caught was 26.3 inches long, weighed 8.7 pounds and was fin clipped indicating it had been stocked.

Spring Lake is home to an abundant lake whitefish population. During the 2009 investigation, 73 whitefish were captured for a gillnet abundance of 12.17/net. In past surveys, abundance has been as high as 28.83/net, well above what is typical for lakes in the same classification as Spring. The Spring Lake whitefish are extremely old ranging up to 42 years of age and averaging 17.3 years.

The only other gamefish species captured in Spring Lake were smallmouth bass and northern pike. Although our assessment nets were set deep for lake trout we caught eight smallmouth bass for a gillnet abundance of 1.33/net. Most open water anglers appear to be fishing for bass.

Although the catch of lake trout was low, fisheries management on Spring Lake will continue to be directed at lake trout. Generally, the most limiting factor to lake trout is late summer water temperatures. Six assessments have measured the temperature and dissolved oxygen profile of Spring Lake dating back to 1970. All six have indicated favorable habitat for lake trout. Establishing a natural reproducing lake trout population in other Northern Minnesota lakes with high numbers of whitefish has proven difficult. At certain life stages, lake trout and lake whitefish compete for the same food resources.

What is the average air temp for Spring Lake?