Spring
A 219-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 2024.
Fish Species (8)
Northern Pike
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 1.8–5.5 for a lake like this
Size from the May 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 3.00 | 25.6" | 4.20 lbs |
| Aug 11, 2014 | 0.50 | 31.3" | 9.16 lbs |
| Aug 17, 2009 | 0.17 | 27.0" | 4.96 lbs |
Smallmouth Bass
Large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2024
Catch rate: 2.2 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 2.17 | 13.2" | 1.35 lbs |
| Aug 11, 2014 | 2.33 | 15.3" | 2.01 lbs |
| Aug 17, 2009 | 1.33 | 12.6" | 1.24 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 1.7–14.1 for a lake like this
Size from the May 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 3.17 | 6.2" | 0.10 lbs |
| Jul 21, 1997 | 4.00 | 5.9" | 0.10 lbs |
| Aug 15, 1989 | 0.17 | - | 0.50 lbs |
Rock Bass
Small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2024
Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 1.50 | 5.3" | 0.12 lbs |
| Aug 15, 1989 | 5.17 | - | 0.21 lbs |
Green Sunfish
Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2024
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 0.50 | 4.0" | 0.05 lbs |
| Aug 15, 1989 | 0.83 | - | 0.10 lbs |
Lake Trout
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2014
Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2014 | 0.83 | 16.6" | 3.56 lbs |
| Aug 17, 2009 | 0.17 | 26.0" | 8.71 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Open-water angling · surveyed May 2024
Catch rate: 0.5 · Open-water angling
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 0.50 | - | - |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997
Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 2.3–8.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2024 | 0.17 | 9.0" | 0.34 lbs |
| Jul 21, 1997 | 0.17 | 17.0" | 2.02 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 1, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Spring Lake on August 1, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and qualit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Spring Lake on August 1, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 19.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 41.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 21.9 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 7.6 degrees C (45.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress in 2019, 2016, 2014, and 2009 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 1, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Spring Lake on August 1, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and qualit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Spring Lake on August 1, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 19.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 41.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 21.9 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 7.6 degrees C (45.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress in 2019, 2016, 2014, and 2009 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 1, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Spring Lake on August 1, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and qualit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Spring Lake on August 1, 2024 to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 19.7 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 41.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 21.9 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 7.6 degrees C (45.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress in 2019, 2016, 2014, and 2009 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Spring?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass in Spring. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Spring?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Spring. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Spring?
Spring has a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth of 32.7 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 2024.
Does Spring have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Spring in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 219.2 acres
- Max Depth
- 60 ft
- Mean Depth
- 32.7 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.53 mi
- Public Access
- Yes