Spruce

St. Louis County

Near Rothman

DOW: 69015300

Yellow PerchGood · 64WalleyeGood · 62

A 42-acre lake near Rothman in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (4)

Yellow Perch

Good · 64

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 44.0 per gill net · typical 2–16 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1990	44.00	-	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1987	13.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1987	65.00	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 62

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.62 lbs

Catch rate: 7.7 per gill net · typical 1.3–5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1990	7.67	-	0.62 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1987	2.33	-	0.97 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1987	0.20	-	1.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

White Sucker

Good · 53

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.06 lbs

Catch rate: 12.7 per gill net · typical 4–14.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1990	12.67	-	1.06 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1987	0.20	-	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1987	5.00	-	0.85 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Good · 53

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1987	0.67	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1987	0.20	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

July 11, 1990Yellow perch are most abundant, followed by white sucker and walleye. By weight, sucker are dominant, followed by walleye and perch. Walleye and yello…

Yellow perch are most abundant, followed by white sucker and walleye. By weight, sucker are dominant, followed by walleye and perch. Walleye and yellow perch growth is faster than average for the area. The sucker length frequency is bimodal, suggesting fast growth and/or partial winterkill. No natural reproduction of walleye is evident.

June 17, 1987Winter oxygen tests in 1983 and 1986 showed 0.0 ppm of oxygen while the oxygen test in the winter of 1987 showed 0.3 ppm. Spruce Lake probably has a p…

Winter oxygen tests in 1983 and 1986 showed 0.0 ppm of oxygen while the oxygen test in the winter of 1987 showed 0.3 ppm. Spruce Lake probably has a partial winter kill periodically though the kills are not complete. Yellow perch are present in above average numbers; white sucker are present in average numbers; and walleye are present in below average numbers. Golden shiner and burbot are also present in low numbers. White sucker present are small. Walleye growth is above average.

June 12, 1985Yellow perch are present in above average numbers white sucker are present in average numbers; wall- eye are present in below-average numbers. All wal…

Yellow perch are present in above average numbers white sucker are present in average numbers; wall- eye are present in below-average numbers. All walleye captured were from the 1984 fry stocking. The 1983 year class may have been eliminated by high a perch populations and/or winterkill. Growth of the 1984 year class (to annulus I) was average.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Spruce?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch and Walleye in Spruce. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Spruce?

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

How deep is Spruce?

Spruce has a maximum depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Spruce last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Spruce is from 1990. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Spruce have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Spruce in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Spruce?

No — Spruce has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.