Little Spirit Lake

Little Spirit Lake

Size
596ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Little Spirit Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye
White bass
White bass

Overview

Little Spirit Lake Map

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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-8 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.36
0Statewide Range74.03

Little Spirit Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2020
Jul
2024
Jul
Channel catfish
fish
16-30 in
Length Range
25 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6
0Statewide Range12.35

Little Spirit Lake Channel catfish abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2020
Jul
2024
Jul
Crappie
fish
5-14 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
7.09
0Statewide Range10.41

Little Spirit Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2020
Jul
2024
Jul
Largemouth 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
2012
Jun
2020
Jul
Muskellunge
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
2004
Jul
2012
Jun
2020
Jul
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
2016
Jun
2020
Jul
Perch
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
13.33
0Statewide Range43.58

Little Spirit Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2020
Jul
2024
Jul
Pumpkinseed
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
1997
Jul
2001
Jul
2016
Jun
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
10-23 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
5.67
0Statewide Range16.93

Little Spirit Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2020
Jul
2024
Jul
White bass
fish
14-17 in
Length Range
16 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
2020
Jul
2024
Jul