Mill Pond

Mill Pond (also called Spruce Center Lake) is a small (54 acres), shallow (maximum depth of 12.0 feet), heavily vegetated impoundment on Spruce Creek located in northeast Douglas County. Spruce Creek is a tributary to the Long Prairie River. This basin lies entirely within the Spruce Creek Wildlife Management Area and provides a quiet, scenic environment for angling and other aquatic recreation (canoeing, kayaking, etc.). A small public access is in the southwest corner of the lake off Spruce Center Drive NE. A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed in 2025 to assess the fish community of Mill Pond. Gamefish species collected in the 2025 survey included Black Crappie, Bluegill, hybrid sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. Catch rates of all species tend to be relatively low. Sunfishes, particularly larger Bluegill, are likely to provide the most value to the recreational fishery. Mean length of Bluegill exceeded 8 inches. Limited bass and pike fisheries also exist. To expand the recreational value of this fishery, stream trout are stocked to provide a unique put-and-take winter trout fishery. See https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/regs.html?topic=trout&section=seasons_and_limits_lakes for more information regarding winter fishing for trout in lakes. Mill Pond is not considered a designated trout lake. Other fish species sampled in the 2025 survey included Yellow Bullhead and White Sucker. The next standard MN DNR lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2035.

Northern Pike average about 16 inches at 0.75 lbs. Number per set is slightly below local median, pounds per set is only 1/3 that of the local median. No Walleye or Largemouth Bass caught in test netting. Sunfish had fewer numbers per set, but weight per set was greater than the local median. Crappies were below the local median in number and weight per set.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Yellow Perch in Mill Pond. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Mill Pond. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Mill Pond has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mill Pond is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Mill Pond in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.