Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake

Size
5,460ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Spirit Lake
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Bluegill
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Rock bass
Rock bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
White bass
White bass

Overview

Spirit Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • No more than one walleye longer than 25 inches may be taken per day

Special Species Regulations

  • Walleye: May 7, 2022 through Feb.14, 2023: Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish. Possession Limit: 6 fish. Length Limit: all 19 to 25-inch walleyes must be immediately released alive.
  • Muskellunge: Open from May 21 - November 30: Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Length Limit: 40-inch minimum.
  • Tiger muskie: Open from May 21 - November 30: Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Length Limit: 40-inch minimum.

Features

Spirit Lake: Spirit Lake is the largest of seven lakes known as Iowa’s Great Lakes. It is one of the state’s most popular recreational areas and provides a wide variety of activities. In addition to its excellent fishing, Spirit Lake offers swimming, sailing and boating. Spirit Lake has a rich and varied fishery that offers anglers of all skill levels a chance for a fish of a lifetime. The lake does and has held several state records. Be sure to consult the current regulation booklet for all the size and length restrictions. Little Spirit Lake: Little Spirit Lake is located on the Iowa/Minnesota border and may be fished with a license from either state. Boundary water regulations apply; check current regulations booklet for details.

Forage

Spirit Lake: Yellow perch are the primary forage. Redhorse, fathead minnow, bluntnose minnow, creek chub, common shiner, spottail shiner and juvenile panfish add to the forage base. Little Spirit Lake: Fathead minnows, bluntnose minnows, juvenile perch and bluegill comprise a large portion of the forage base. Aquatic insects and their larvae are utilized as well.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2021
Sep
Crappie
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jun
2021
Jul
2021
Sep
Largemouth bass
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jun
2021
Sep
Muskellunge
fish
16-27 in
Length Range
21 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Apr
2024
Apr
Northern pike
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Perch
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2021
Sep
Pumpkinseed
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jun
2021
Jun
2021
Sep
Rock bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jun
Tiger muskellunge
fish
16-27 in
Length Range
21 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2024
Apr
Walleye
fish
16-27 in
Length Range
21 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Apr
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202128
White bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data