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MN Fish Finder

Spring

St. Louis County
Near Crane Lake
DOW: 69076100
Northern PikeGood · 64Smallmouth BassGood · 50Yellow PerchAverage · 26

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

Good · 64

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size
24.0"
Avg Weight
3.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 1.8–5.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike78% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 22%Largest sampled 31"

Size from the May 2024 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20243.0025.6"4.20 lbs
Aug 11, 20140.5031.3"9.16 lbs
Aug 17, 20090.1727.0"4.96 lbs

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2024

Avg Size
13.2"
Avg Weight
1.35 lbs

Catch rate: 2.2 per gill net

Size of catchable smallmouth bass85% keeper-size (12"+)
7–11" · 15%Largest sampled 17"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20242.1713.2"1.35 lbs
Aug 11, 20142.3315.3"2.01 lbs
Aug 17, 20091.3312.6"1.24 lbs

Yellow Perch

Average · 26

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size
5.9"
Avg Weight
0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 1.7–14.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)
5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Size from the May 2024 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20243.176.2"0.10 lbs
Jul 21, 19974.005.9"0.10 lbs
Aug 15, 19890.17-0.50 lbs

Rock Bass

Poor · 0

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2024

Avg Size
5.3"
Avg Weight
0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net

Size of catchable rock bass0% keeper-size (8"+)
4–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20241.505.3"0.12 lbs
Aug 15, 19895.17-0.21 lbs

Green Sunfish

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed May 2024

Avg Size
4.0"
Avg Weight
0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20240.504.0"0.05 lbs
Aug 15, 19890.83-0.10 lbs

Lake Trout

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size
16.6"
Avg Weight
3.56 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 11, 20140.8316.6"3.56 lbs
Aug 17, 20090.1726.0"8.71 lbs

Largemouth Bass

Insufficient

Open-water angling · surveyed May 2024

Catch rate: 0.5 · Open-water angling

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20240.50--
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

Average · 28

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size
17.0"
Avg Weight
2.02 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 2.3–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
May 16, 20240.179.0"0.34 lbs
Jul 21, 19970.1717.0"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
View on DNR LakeFinder

Location

48.3714°N, 92.6301°W

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