Spectacle

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Spectacle Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff on 25 August 2022. Ten 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 ten sites. A 50-foot seine was used to sample eight sites, a 15-foot seine was used at one site, and deep, soft sediments with abundant water lilies prevented the use of seines at one sampling site. Nearshore sampling captured 16 native species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Pugnose Shiner) and one species (Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with gill net and trap net data from an August 2022 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, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, 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 the fish community of Spectacle Lake is affected by disturbance as indicated by an FIBI score very near to the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Rum River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Spectacle is a 240-acre lake in western Isanti County between Cambridge and Princeton. Of the 240 acres, 157 (65%) are shallower than 15 feet (littoral area). Maximum depth is 51 feet. The shoreline length is 3.7 miles and has a maximum fetch of 0.8 miles. A paved public boat access is located on the south shore with parking for approximately eighteen rigs. Despite heavy shoreline development and recreational use, the lake maintains good water quality with water clarity readings in the 10 foot range. Spectacle Lake anglers will find an abundant population of moderate sized Largemouth Bass. Although bass up to 15 inches were present, most were between 10 and 12 inches. Walleye were likewise present in catchable numbers and harvestable size. The Northern Pike population, while fairly typical in abundance and average size, may provide some memorable fishing with fish in excess of 30 inches present. Panfish, although certainly available to anglers, may better be targeted in another lake if harvest is desired.

Spectacle is a 240-acre lake in western Isanti County. The nearest town is Pine Brook. Of the 240 acres, 157 (65%) are shallower than 15 feet (littoral area). Maximum depth is 51 feet. The shoreline length is 3.7 miles and has a maximum fetch of 0.8 miles. Despite heavy shoreline development and recreational use, the lake maintains good water quality with secchi disk readings in the 10 average range. Since 1997, the number of residences on Spectacle Lake has increased from 131 to 148, an 11% increase. Spectacle Lake is managed primarily for walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. Minnesota lakes managed for fishing have been assigned classifications based on their physical, chemical and biological similarities. Spectacle is assigned to lake class 32, or bass/pan-fish lakes. Various stockings have occurred through the years of mainly northern pike and walleye. The present fisheries management plan calls for walleye fingerlings to be stocked every third year at a rate of one pound per littoral area. A state owned northern pike spawning area is located on the south-east side of the lake. The spawning area has not been operated since 1996 due to a statewide decrease in northern pike stocking quotas. In order to compare the present fish population to others in this lake class and to evaluate management goals, Spectacle Lake was surveyed during the summer of 2006. Gear sampling types for fish consisted of standard gillnets, standard trap-nets and night electrofishing for largemouth bass. Twenty-nine species of aquatic plants were sampled throughout the lake. Fairly diverse populations of various emergent, submergent and floating-leafed species were present. Purple loosestrife, and exotic species was sampled for the first time. Walleye abundance (2.5 per net) was above normal compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type, but close to the historical average for Spectacle Lake. Average weight per fish was high at 2.3 pounds. One-third of the walleyes captured were over 20 inches in length. Four age classes were present in the sample and growth was fast. The northern pike gillnet catch was 6.8 fish per net which was normal compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average weight was 2.0 pounds. Ages two through seven were sampled with age class two and three showing a strong presence. The northern pike that were sampled ranged from 13.7 to 31.3 inches in length with an average of 20.7 inches. About 27 percent of the northern pike were over 24 inches in length. Growth was slightly faster than normal. Northern pike catch rates in Spectalce Lake have increased from a historic low of 1.7 fish/gillnet in 1975 and 1986 to 6.8 fish/gillnet in 2006, while average weight per fish has dropped steadily from historic highs of 3.7 pounds per fish in 1975 to 2.0 pounds in 2006. Nighttime electrofishing was used to sample the largemouth bass population. The sample (32.9 bass/hour) ranged in length from 8.2 to 19.9 inches, averaging 12.3 inches. The number of bass sampled was down slightly from what was sampled in 1996 (37.4 bass/hour), the first time that largemouth bass were electrofished on Spectacle Lake. However, the average size of the fish increased from 11.1 inches. The bluegill trapnet catch was 10.5 fish per net, which is normal compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type and typical of catches in past surveys. Bluegill ranged from 3.6 to 7.1 inches with an average of 5.1 inches. Eighty percent of the bluegills sampled were less than six inches. Growth was slow with fish at age 3 reaching an average of four inches. Both trapnets and gillnets sampled black crappies. The trapnets caught an average of 0.6 fish per net. The gillnets caught an average of 0.8 fish per net. Black crappies ranged in size from 4.9 to 9.7 inches in length. The average size was 8.3 inches. Growth was normal with 50% of the sample from the 2002 year class. Six other species were sampled in the netting gear: brown bullhead, pumpkinseed and yellow bullhead, yellow perch, hybrid sunfish and white sucker. Brown bullheads ranged in length from 5.6 to 13.5 inches with an average size of 8.0 inches. A total of 18 pumpkinseed sunfish were captured. Their sizes ranged from 4.0 to 7.0 in length. The average size was 5.8 inches. One white sucker, yellow bullhead, hybrid sunfish and yellow perch were sampled. These species have historically been sampled in fairly low numbers on this lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed in Spectacle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Spectacle has a maximum depth of 51.5 feet and a mean depth of 8.6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Spectacle is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Spectacle has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.