Spirit

Aitkin County, Minnesota — DOW #01017800

204 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Spirit has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

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

523.41

Acres

49 ft

Max Depth

15 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.84 lb	4
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.95 lb	4
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.00 lb	1
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.90 lb	3
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.09 lb	1
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.21 lb	1
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.28 lb	4

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.65 lb	3
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.71 lb	7
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.71 lb	8
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	7.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.74 lb	77
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.73 lb	1
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.01 lb	10
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.84 lb	9
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.07 lb	4
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.26 lb	4
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.34 lb	5

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.10 lb	1
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.25 lb	2
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.35 lb	2
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.53 lb	3
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.23 lb	16
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	5.1	—	—	36
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.4 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.18 lb	13
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	—	1
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.17 lb	1
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.16 lb	14
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	5.0	—	—	25
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	0.9	—	—	6
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.68 lb	24
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	6.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.52 lb	38
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	12.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.65 lb	127
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	4.2 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.57 lb	46
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	3.1 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.69 lb	28
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	3.1 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.77 lb	28
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.86 lb	19
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.8 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.74 lb	25
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	1.68 lb	12
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.82 lb	19
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	—	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	10.8 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.15 lb	97
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.00 lb	5
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	9.8 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.33 lb	98
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	1.11 lb	16
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	12.4 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.64 lb	112
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	1.01 lb	8
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	2
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	13.6 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.51 lb	122
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.42 lb	8
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	10.2 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.69 lb	92
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.07 lb	9
2010-04-16	Standard electrofishing	0.5	—	0.02 lb	1

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.23 lb	2
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	3.4 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.51 lb	34
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.57 lb	7
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.54 lb	34
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.34 lb	6
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.53 lb	14
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	3.4	—	0.01 lb	2
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.38 lb	5
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.51 lb	5
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.54 lb	7
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	1.3	—	—	9
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	17.0	—	—	24

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.56 lb	7
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.93 lb	23
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.50 lb	2
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.17 lb	12
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.50 lb	4
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.73 lb	17
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.10 lb	2
2010-07-19	Standard electrofishing	2.1	—	1.21 lb	3
2015-07-13	Standard electrofishing	3.2	—	0.37 lb	5
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.60 lb	7
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	4.01 lb	4
2017-09-07	Fall electrofishing	0.7	—	8.21 lb	1
2010-04-16	Standard electrofishing	3.1	—	2.01 lb	6
2013-09-30	Fall electrofishing	1.3	—	0.13 lb	2

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.50 lb	1
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.23 lb	3
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.32 lb	9
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.33 lb	4
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.90 lb	12
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.82 lb	3
2010-07-19	50-ft beach seine	6.0	—	—	6
2010-07-19	Standard electrofishing	78.0	—	0.98 lb	112
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	5.7	—	—	40
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.01 lb	16
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	28.4	—	—	17
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.22 lb	1
2015-07-13	Standard electrofishing	45.5	—	0.96 lb	72
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.26 lb	15
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	1.74 lb	11
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	14.2	—	—	71
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	4.6	—	—	32
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	2.1	—	—	3

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	1.2	—	0.12 lb	11
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	71.2 (above normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.14 lb	427
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	6.4	—	0.27 lb	64
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	19.6 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.16 lb	216
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	5.4	—	0.20 lb	49
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	13.7 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.14 lb	123
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	3.1	—	0.16 lb	28
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	25.1	—	—	15
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	8.8 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.18 lb	106
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	32.3	—	—	226
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.6	—	0.21 lb	14
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	12.4 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.21 lb	136
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	5.7	—	—	8
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	16.4	—	—	82
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	3.7	—	—	26

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.17 lb	6
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	6.7 (above normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.15 lb	40
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.23 lb	23
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	4.5 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.20 lb	49
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	3.8	—	0.18 lb	34
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.16 lb	11
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	0.21 lb	18
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.19 lb	9
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	—	5
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.2	—	0.19 lb	11
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.28 lb	19
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	2

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.40 lb	34
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	1.3 – 10.4	1.97 lb	6
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.50 lb	2
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.59 lb	19
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.27 lb	8

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.38 lb	4
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.90 lb	1
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	0.79 lb	2
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.37 lb	3
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.83 lb	3

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1981-08-03	Standard gill nets	3.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.27 lb	28
1981-08-03	Standard trap nets	4.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.26 lb	28
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.47 lb	16
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.20 lb	2
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	6.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.54 lb	54
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.39 lb	12
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.51 lb	22
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.38 lb	5
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	1.3	—	—	9
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.50 lb	14
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.38 lb	23

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-25	Standard gill nets	1.4 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	2.77 lb	14
1988-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	2.52 lb	13
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.4 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	4.65 lb	4
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.28 lb	2
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.3	2.28 lb	1
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	3.4	—	—	2
2010-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.93 lb	9
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.6 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	3.82 lb	5
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.06 lb	8

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2006-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	0.56 lb	5
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	0.36 lb	6
2010-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.03 lb	1
2015-07-13	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.60 lb	1
2015-07-13	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.40 lb	4
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2006-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.08 lb	1

LED

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.6	—	4

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	30.1	—	18

Brook Trout

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.9	—	6
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	0.4	—	2

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	14.0	—	98
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	1
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	3.0	—	15

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	24.4	—	171
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	33.5	—	20
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	15.6	—	109
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	7.8	—	11
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	28.2	—	141

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	1
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	2
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	3.2	—	16
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	5

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	5
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	1
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	0.6	—	4
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	0.8	—	4

Logperch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	6.7	—	4
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	1
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	6.4	—	32

Mottled Sculpin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	1
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	7.1	—	10

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	1.1	—	8
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	5.0	—	3
2015-07-10	50-ft beach seine	1.4	—	7
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	10.6	—	15

Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	Backpack electrofishing	3.4	—	2
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	1.3	—	9

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	2

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.9	—	6
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	13.3	—	93

PGS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-19	15-ft beach seine	0.4	—	3

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2015-07-10	15-ft beach seine	6.9	—	48

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	0.7	—	1

Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2015-07-10	Backpack electrofishing	8.5	—	12

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

McGregor, MN

(218) 429-2108

★ 5

Aitkin Rental

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6907

★ 4.5

Farm Island Repair and Marine

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6395

★ 4.7

FLOE International

McGregor, MN

(800) 336-6337

★ 4.8

Horseshoelakestorage.net

McGregor, MN

(218) 670-0063

★ 5

Libby Marine

McGregor, MN

(218) 994-9245

Resorts & Lodges Near Spirit

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Spirit.

Big Sandy Lake Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort McGregor

(612) 735-9455

McGregor Cabin Rentals

Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 839-7545

Loaf N Leisure Resort and RV Park

Fishing Resort Aitkin

(218) 234-2882

Ole's Resort

Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 426-3487

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Smallmouth Bass Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Spirit

Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide

(651) 271-8600

Mille Lacs Lake Guiding

Fishing Guide

(763) 238-7507

North Mille Lacs Ice Fishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 670-5012

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Plan Your Trip to Spirit

Weather forecast for Spirit — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.4435°N, 93.7069°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.

Spirit

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Bullhead

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

Tullibee (Cisco)

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Bowfin

Hybrid Sunfish

Common Shiner

LED

CNM

Brook Trout

Iowa Darter

Bluntnose Minnow

Spottail Shiner

BKF

Logperch

Mottled Sculpin

Johnny Darter

Sunfish

Tadpole Madtom

BCS

PGS

BNS

Fathead Minnow

Bullhead

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Aitkin Backwoods Farm Supply LLC

Bill's Sportsmans Service

Farm Island Store

Farm Island Store & Off Sale

Glen Store

McGregor Oil

Sather's Gateway Store

Sue’s Bait shop

Nearby Marinas

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

Aitkin Rental

Farm Island Repair and Marine

FLOE International

Horseshoelakestorage.net

Libby Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Spirit

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Spirit

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Aitkin

Anderson

Bachelor

Ball Bluff

Bass

Bay

Plan Your Trip to Spirit