Spider

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Spider Lake on August 1st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 89.9 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 16.5 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 37.4 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 20.9 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 5.9 degrees C (42.6 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2020 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Spider Lake is located three miles north of Nevis in Hubbard County. Spider is irregularly shaped with two deep basins and several shallow bays. Spider Lake has a surface area of 570 acres and a maximum depth of 96 feet with 71% of the lake area 15 feet or less in depth. There is abundant aquatic vegetation growth in these shallow areas. A DNR owned public access is located on the north shore of Spider Lake off Hollow Oak Drive. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Spider Lake is in Lake Class 25. Class 25 lakes are irregularly shaped, have deep basins, and have hard water with good water clarity. Other Lake Class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, West Crooked, Third Crow Wing, Eagle, Island, Mantrap, Little Mantrap, Ojibway, Little Sand, Straight, and Two Inlets. Panfish are a popular choice for anglers on Spider. Present and past surveys have shown the Panfish population in Spider to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers. Anglers should be aware that all Black Crappie less than 10.0 inches must be returned to the water (10-inch minimum length limit). Anglers will find good numbers of Black Crappie in the 8-10 inch size range with fish up to 13.6 inches measured. Most Bluegill and Pumpkinseed were found in the 6 to 8 inch size range with a few fish up to 9 inches. Spider Lake supports a healthy Largemouth Bass population. Good numbers and sizes of Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring electrofishing sampling when compared to other area lakes. Sampled Largemouth Bass had an average length of 12.0 inches with fish measured up to 19.4 inches. Northern Pike were sampled in moderate numbers for this lake class, similar to past surveys. While larger Northern Pike are present in Spider, small pike dominate the population. Sampled Northern Pike had an average length and weight of 20.6 inches and 2.0 pounds, with fish measured up to 33.9 inches. Other species sampled included Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead and Walleye. Currently Curly-Leaf Pondweed, an aquatic invasive species (AIS) has been identified in Spider. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Spider Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff starting August 3, 2020. Fourteen sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 sites with one site sampled from the boat. A 50-foot seine was used to sample five sites, one of which was a boat assisted seine, a 15-foot seine was used at four sites, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at five sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 15 native species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A summer trap net survey was conducted in conjunction with the targeted survey of the nearshore fish community. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed dominated the trap net catch numbers, but only comprised approximately 28% of total trap net biomass. Of the Bluegills sampled, 21% were between 5 and 7 inches, 46% were over 7 inches and 15% of Bluegills sampled were over 8 inches. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with gill net data from a June 2019 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (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. 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. The FIBI score for Spider Lake from this survey is above an impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment of surface waters process completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Walleye in Spider. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Spider has a maximum depth of 96 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Spider is from 2024.

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