Little Spirit Lake

On the scoring rubric Little Spirit Lake grades a D: clarity at 3.3 ft and 168 µg/L of phosphorus keep it in the lower bracket for Jackson County. High phosphorus is the leading drag on the score — likely from upland agriculture, lawn runoff, or in-lake sediment release.

At a TSI of 65, Little Spirit Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. Little Spirit Lake is a shallow lake at 8 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. Little Spirit Lake covers 624 acres alongside 10.6 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Among the 7 graded lakes in Jackson County, Little Spirit Lake sits at rank 3, above the county median.

An invasive species record — bighead carp — has been logged at Little Spirit Lake; Minnesota PCA maintains the official infested-waters list. Little Spirit Lake's fishery is anchored by muskellunge, with 23 documented species in total — a destination water for muskie anglers. A documented public access point at Little Spirit Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies back the grade, so the letter should hold steady absent a major watershed shift.