Big Spunk Lake

How big is Big Spunk Lake?

How deep is Big Spunk Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Big Spunk Lake?

What are the closest cities to Big Spunk Lake?

Are there boat launches on Big Spunk Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Big Spunk Lake?

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Big Spunk Lake was conducted on September 5-7, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations, but four stations were sampled from the boat due soft sediments and steep drop offs. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and deep, soft sediments prevented the use of seines at four sampling stations. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Pugnose Shiner) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead minnow, and Green Sunfish).

A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and one tolerant species (i.e., Green Sunfish). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin, and Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass.

The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Big Spunk Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the impairment threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to the previous assessment which determined Big Spunk Lake was fully supported aquatic life use based on the FIBI. The recent survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi (Sartell) River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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Are there any state parks near Big Spunk Lake?