Spring

Itasca County

Near Spring Lake (Itasca)

DOW: 31078900

Black CrappieExcellent · 88Rock BassGood · 74Hybrid SunfishGood · 55

A 132-acre lake near Spring Lake (Itasca) in Itasca County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1999.

Fish Species (13)

Black Crappie

Excellent · 88

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1958

Last surveyed 1958 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.53 lbs

Catch rate: 10.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.11	12.0"	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 14, 1958	10.00	-	0.53 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 14, 1958	1.60	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 74

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.42 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass53% keeper-size (8"+)

4–7" · 47%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	1.67	7.6"	0.42 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	1.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 12, 1978	2.50	-	0.42 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 55

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 1.1 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish10% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 90%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	1.11	5.0"	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 14, 1958	0.40	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.2"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 4.9 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill23% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 77%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.67	5.2"	0.46 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1999	4.89	5.2"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 42

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.0"

Avg Weight

2.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.33	17.0"	2.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.50	-	1.35 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1978	1.00	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 38

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.2"

Avg Weight

1.38 lbs

Catch rate: 12.5 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike3% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 97%Largest sampled 26"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	12.50	17.2"	1.38 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1999	1.89	17.2"	0.81 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	10.75	-	2.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 35

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.5"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 15.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	4.11	5.5"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 12, 1999	15.50	5.5"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	15.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 34

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.4"

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 3.4 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed3% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 97%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.17	5.4"	0.61 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1999	3.44	5.4"	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	3.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 32

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.17	6.0"	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1999	0.22	6.0"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 61

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.3"

Avg Weight

0.93 lbs

Catch rate: 1.1 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	1.11	11.3"	0.93 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 12, 1978	0.75	-	1.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 44

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.7"

Avg Weight

0.95 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.33	11.7"	0.95 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	2.00	-	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	1.50	-	0.47 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 42

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1999	0.17	3.0"	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 29

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1985	0.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 14, 1958	1.17	-	1.51 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 12, 1999Spring Lake is managed primarily for panfish and northern pike. The northern pike catch rate is high, exceeding the expected range for this type lake.…

Spring Lake is managed primarily for panfish and northern pike. The northern pike catch rate is high, exceeding the expected range for this type lake. They are relativley small, averageing 18.3 inches in length and 1.4 pounds. Growth rates are average. The bluegill trap net catch rate is below the expected range. Low bluegill abundance is often desirable because it often results in larger average size fish. The average length of bluegill sampled was 5.6 inches. Growth appears to be good. Despite the high northern pike abundance, yellow perch remain relatively abundant. They are mostly smaller fish though, averaging 5.9 inches long. Although this lake is not well suited for walleye, two were sampled. They averaged 2.2 pounds. Only three smaller largemouth bass were sampled in the nets. However, anglers reported that fishing for bass can be good at times. Tullibee were relatively abundant. Tullibee are an ideal prey for producing larger walleye and northern pike. Other species sampled include; black crappie, black, brown and yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish, and rock bass.

July 15, 1985Northern pike and yellow perch are very abundant in this lake. Both species are above the averages. Pumpkinseeds are also above the averages. All othe…

Northern pike and yellow perch are very abundant in this lake. Both species are above the averages. Pumpkinseeds are also above the averages. All other species are at or below the averages.

July 12, 1978Good northern pike population, low walleye population, probably come from Little Spring Lake.

Good northern pike population, low walleye population, probably come from Little Spring Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Spring?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, and Walleye in Spring. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Spring?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Spring. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Spring?

Spring has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Spring last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Spring is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.