Spurzem Lake

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Spurzem Lake is 82-acres, with a maximum depth of 38 feet. Spurzem is located in the Baker Park Reserve (Three Rivers Park District) in western Hennepin County. Three Rivers Park District owns and maintains a public access ramp (subject to Three Rivers Park District rules and hours) located off of Hamel Road on the northwest shore of the lake. Spurzem is primarily managed for Northern Pike but includes catchable populations of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass.

A Standard Survey (gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing) was conducted on Spurzem Lake during the week of 6/17/2019. During the survey, water clarity was moderate with 9 feet of visibility, with low oxygen below 14 feet. Although Spurzem has not been listed as an infested water as of 2019, both Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels have been found in Lake Independence, which shares a direct connection to Spurzem.

A partial winterkill was reported on Spurzem Lake during the winter of 2018-2019, with a substantial number of Common Carp confirmed dead during spring reconnaissance. Despite the winterkill and a history of occasional partial winterkills (last previous was winter of 2010-2011), fish regularly migrate through the Pioneer Creek Watershed, particularly from Lake Independence, to aid repopulation of Spurzem.

Northern Pike in Spurzem Lake were sampled at moderate numbers (6.8/net) compared to similar lakes in the area. There were 27 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 25.2 inches and the largest measured at 33.5 inches. While a majority of pike fall within the protective slot (22-26 inches), harvest opportunity is available for anglers that wish to fill their 10 fish limit outside of the protected slot, with not more than 2 of those 10 fish over 26 inches. Northern Pike in Spurzem Lake continue to grow fast and show little impact from the occasional winterkill.

Few Bluegill were sampled (9.6/net) during the 2019 survey, a historically low catch for Spurzem Lake. Bluegill averaged 7.2 inches with the largest measured at 8.0 inches. Despite low numbers, enough Bluegill remain to sufficiently repopulate Spurzem Lake. Angler activity and reports reflect partial winterkills have acted to provide periodic boosts to panfish size quality.

During the 2019 survey, low numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (2.5/net) and trap nets (1.6/net), both historic lows for the lake. There were 23 Black Crappie sampled during the 2019 survey, with an average length of 8.4 inches and the largest measured at 9.3 inches. Despite low numbers and sizes, enough Black Crappie remain to sufficiently repopulate Spurzem Lake.

Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2019 with nighttime boat electrofishing, the first time such a survey was conducted here. Catch rates were low, with 10 total bass sampled, with an average length of 13.9 inches and the largest measured at 16.5 inches. Despite low numbers (likely owing to the recent (2018-2019) winterkill), size of remaining Largemouth Bass should be sufficient to repopulate the lake. There has not been a history of concerns about winterkill/water quality impacting bass fishing.

Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and Walleye.

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