Little Spirit

Jackson County, Minnesota — DOW #32002400

196 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Little Spirit has confirmed populations of:

bighead carp
silver carp

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

624.28

Acres

8 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Little Spirit. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	11.3 (normal)	2.2 – 60.5	0.67 lb	135
2001-07-23	Survey seining	0.8	—	—	3
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	32.4 (normal)	9.6 – 91.4	0.70 lb	162
1990-07-30	Standard gill nets	19.8 (normal)	9.6 – 91.4	0.06 lb	99
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	10.9 (normal)	2.2 – 60.5	0.09 lb	87
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	5.7 (normal)	2.2 – 60.5	1.06 lb	68
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	13.3 (normal)	9.6 – 91.4	0.94 lb	40
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	4.6	—	—	3
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	3.6	—	—	36
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	16.0 (normal)	9.6 – 91.4	0.83 lb	48
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	1.3 (below normal)	2.2 – 60.5	1.06 lb	14
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	40.0 (normal)	9.6 – 91.4	0.61 lb	160
1997-07-28	Survey seining	846.5	—	—	3386
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	55.0 (normal)	2.2 – 60.5	0.30 lb	605
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	13.1 (normal)	2.2 – 60.5	0.70 lb	157
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	30.0 (normal)	9.6 – 91.4	0.81 lb	90

White Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	1.00 lb	3
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 1.2	1.08 lb	1
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.40 lb	3
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	0.8	—	—	8
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	1.09 lb	2
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	1.27 lb	6
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.1 – 1.2	1.55 lb	5

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.4 – 6.6	0.63 lb	3
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	—	1

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.11 lb	13
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	3.0 – 26.5	0.14 lb	8
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.09 lb	1
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.23 lb	8
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	11.7 (normal)	3.0 – 26.5	0.19 lb	35
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	10.7	—	—	7
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	3.4	—	—	34
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	3.2 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.11 lb	35
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	39.7 (above normal)	3.0 – 26.5	0.10 lb	119
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	125.8 (above normal)	3.0 – 26.5	0.23 lb	503
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	30.4 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.08 lb	335
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.08 lb	1
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	3.0 – 26.5	0.33 lb	9

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Survey seining	0.3	—	1
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	13.9	—	139
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	28.9	—	19
1997-07-28	Survey seining	1.0	—	4

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 4.3	0.09 lb	1
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	0.08 lb	1
1990-07-30	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.4 – 4.3	0.07 lb	8
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	0.10 lb	2
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	1.1	—	—	11
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	3.0	—	—	2
1997-07-28	Survey seining	2.5	—	—	10
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	4.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.0	0.07 lb	53

Freshwater Drum

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.1 – 7.0	1.52 lb	26
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	5.2 (normal)	2.6 – 5.5	1.27 lb	26
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 7.0	3.48 lb	3
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	2.6 – 5.5	0.79 lb	1
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	8.5	—	—	85
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	175.2	—	—	115
2020-07-28	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	2
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	2.6 – 5.5	1.73 lb	6
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.1 – 7.0	2.28 lb	6
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	8.3 (above normal)	2.6 – 5.5	0.14 lb	33
1997-07-28	Survey seining	513.5	—	—	2054
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.1 – 7.0	2.04 lb	12
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	2.6 – 5.5	1.48 lb	13

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	0.3 – 4.2	5.02 lb	12
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	4.6 (above normal)	1.0 – 3.6	6.65 lb	55
1990-07-30	Standard gill nets	4.2 (normal)	0.3 – 4.2	1.24 lb	21
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 3.6	3.10 lb	4
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	5.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 4.2	4.04 lb	17
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	4.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 3.6	6.87 lb	52
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	0.6	—	—	6
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	6.1	—	—	4
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 3.6	6.22 lb	11
1997-07-28	Survey seining	2.8	—	—	11
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	4.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 3.6	7.28 lb	52
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 4.2	7.81 lb	1
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 3.6	6.36 lb	15

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.2	0.64 lb	2
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.2	0.48 lb	5
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 6.8	1.38 lb	1
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.2	1.24 lb	2
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	7.6	—	—	5
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.2	1.11 lb	6
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.2	0.85 lb	8
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.6 – 6.8	0.64 lb	2
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 6.8	1.17 lb	1
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.2	0.86 lb	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	3.03 lb	1
1990-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.0	3.63 lb	1
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	2.44 lb	14
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.0	3.38 lb	3
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	4.85 lb	1
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.0	2.98 lb	1
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.0	2.65 lb	1
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	3.62 lb	4
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	4.88 lb	2

Channel Catfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.14 lb	8
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	5.51 lb	1
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	4.7	—	2.69 lb	14
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	3.74 lb	16

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.04 lb	1
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	77.7	—	—	51
2020-07-28	15-ft beach seine	0.5	—	—	1
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	5.3	—	—	53
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.00 lb	1
1997-07-28	Survey seining	7.5	—	—	30
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.06 lb	4
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	4.71 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Survey seining	4.8	—	—	19
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.9 – 29.5	0.47 lb	1
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.9 – 29.5	0.50 lb	1
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.9 – 29.5	0.15 lb	4
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	473.8	—	—	311
2020-07-28	15-ft beach seine	11.5	—	—	23
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	3.1	—	—	31
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.9 – 29.5	0.24 lb	5
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.9 – 29.5	0.47 lb	4
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.9 – 29.5	0.41 lb	9

QBS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	9.09 lb	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	7.2 (normal)	1.0 – 7.3	1.83 lb	36
1990-07-30	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	1.0 – 7.3	1.73 lb	12
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.9 (normal)	0.4 – 1.9	1.25 lb	15
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	11.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 7.3	1.82 lb	33
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.9	6.72 lb	1
2017-09-27	Fall electrofishing	10.7	—	—	8
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2016-09-28	Fall electrofishing	37.3	—	—	28
2024-10-09	Fall electrofishing	47.9	—	—	24
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.0 – 7.3	1.73 lb	15
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.9	1.95 lb	3
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	26.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 7.3	1.42 lb	107
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.59 lb	17
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	19.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 7.3	1.55 lb	57
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.9	1.51 lb	3

SNG

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	4.0	—	2.52 lb	20
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.5	—	1.93 lb	18
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	11.3	—	2.83 lb	34
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	2.76 lb	8
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	—	1
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	1.44 lb	11
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	2.7	—	1.95 lb	8
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	2.18 lb	14
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	15.7	—	2.20 lb	47
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	2.2	—	2.05 lb	26

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.04 lb	1
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	2.1	—	5.71 lb	25
1990-07-30	Standard gill nets	6.0	—	2.56 lb	30
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	2.13 lb	1
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	2.48 lb	3
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	7.22 lb	4
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	38.1	—	—	25
2020-07-28	15-ft beach seine	12.0	—	—	24
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	136.4	—	—	1364
1997-07-28	Survey seining	3.3	—	—	13
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	7.04 lb	10
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	1.3	—	8.75 lb	4
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	8.15 lb	7

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	1.5 – 14.7	0.64 lb	8
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	7.0 (normal)	2.4 – 15.1	0.45 lb	84
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.4 – 15.1	0.37 lb	12
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 14.7	0.22 lb	4
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	2.4 – 15.1	0.19 lb	8
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	6.1	—	—	4
2020-07-28	15-ft beach seine	4.0	—	—	8
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	43.8	—	—	438
2008-06-16	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	2.4 – 15.1	0.39 lb	3
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.5 – 14.7	0.07 lb	2
1997-07-28	Survey seining	1.5	—	—	6
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	4.1 (normal)	2.4 – 15.1	0.60 lb	45
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	1.5 – 14.7	0.89 lb	16
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	9.9 (normal)	2.4 – 15.1	0.65 lb	119

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.16 lb	2
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.15 lb	1
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 8.4	0.19 lb	7

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	1.78 lb	4
2016-06-13	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 7.4	0.94 lb	2
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 7.4	2.84 lb	2
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 7.4	2.36 lb	1
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.2	2.07 lb	1

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 2.0	0.03 lb	2
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 4.3	0.04 lb	1
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 2.0	0.04 lb	3

SIP

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-06-13	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	4.24 lb	2

OSS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
1997-07-28	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.04 lb	1

GIS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	1.6	—	16

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	0.5	—	5
1997-07-28	Survey seining	1.5	—	6

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2020-07-28	50-ft beach seine	0.9	—	9

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2020-07-28	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	1

LNG

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-06-16	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	2.87 lb	1

Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-07-28	Survey seining	0.3	—	1

RCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	4.63 lb	1

SHI

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-07-28	Survey seining	6.8	—	27

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-07-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.07 lb	1

Muskellunge

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	8.54 lb	2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 11 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Loon Lake Store and Bait Shop

Jackson, MN

(507) 318-8617

★ 4.8

Blue Line Junction

Worthington, MN

(507) 372-4038

★ 4.1

Silverback Pro

Worthington, MN

(507) 329-6019

Tractor Supply Co.

Worthington, MN

(507) 376-9733

★ 4.6

Tuttle Lake Bait

Ceylon, MN

(507) 848-1627

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

Beach Nook

Worthington, MN

(888-847-4866

★ 4.4

Centennial Park

Worthington, MN

★ 4.5

Chautauqua Park

Worthington, MN

(507) 372-8601

★ 4.6

Lake Front Park

Worthington, MN

(507) 329-0760

★ 4.6

M & M Warehouse

Worthington, MN

(507) 343-0131

★ 5

Olson Campground WORTHINGTON

Worthington, MN

(507) 372-8600

★ 4.3

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Little Spirit. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Bigmouth Buffalo Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Channel Catfish Common Carp Freshwater Drum Gizzard Shad Green Sunfish Largemouth Bass Muskellunge Northern Pike Northern Pike (Silver Phase)Orangespotted Sunfish Pumpkinseed Quillback Shortnose Gar Walleye White Bass White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Jackson County

Boot

Plan Your Trip to Little Spirit

Weather forecast for Little Spirit — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 43.5089°N, 95.1277°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Little Spirit

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Bullhead

White Bass

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Spottail Shiner

Golden Shiner

Freshwater Drum

Common Carp

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

QBS

Walleye

SNG

BIB

Black Crappie

Pumpkinseed

White Sucker

Green Sunfish

SIP

OSS

GIS

Fathead Minnow

Johnny Darter

Iowa Darter

LNG

Sunfish

RCS

SHI

Common Shiner

Muskellunge

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Loon Lake Store and Bait Shop

Blue Line Junction

Silverback Pro

Tractor Supply Co.

Tuttle Lake Bait

Nearby Marinas

Beach Nook

Centennial Park

Chautauqua Park

Lake Front Park

M & M Warehouse

Olson Campground WORTHINGTON

Fish Species

Other Lakes in Jackson County

Boot

Chandler

Clear

Fish

Flahtery

Heron (South Heron)

Plan Your Trip to Little Spirit