Spring Lake
Dakota County, MinnesotaLimited DataEutrophic
On the LakeGrade rubric Spring Lake fails the cutoffs — a TSI of 66 and persistent algal pressure put it in the bottom tier.
Eutrophic conditions are the baseline here: clarity drops noticeably in late summer, and dissolved oxygen near the bottom can become a concern. The lake bottoms out at 17 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. Spring Lake covers 1,494 acres alongside 18.4 miles of shoreline, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Spring Lake sits at rank 27 of 36 in Dakota County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Spring Lake is on the Minnesota infested-waters list for zebra mussels — boaters should follow clean-drain-dry protocols when moving gear to or from the lake. Walleye are documented at Spring Lake, one of 21 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Spring Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-10-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2.1 ft of visibility. Trophic State Index: 66.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.1 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 66 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 17 ft |
| Surface Area | 1.5K acres |
| Shoreline Length | 18.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 100% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Spring Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Spring Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Spring Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #27 of 36 lakes in Dakota County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Spring Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BSchultz LakeDakota County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BLake St. CroixWashington County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BUnnamed LakeDakota County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CMcdonough LakeDakota County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CPool on Lake St. CroixWashington County · mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Dakota County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Spring Lake
Other Grade F Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Spring Lake With Nearby Lakes
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2001-07-30 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | 4.35 | 2.86 lb |
| Channel Catfish | 4.28 | 1.6 lb |
| GIS | 4.11 | 0.29 lb |
| MOE | 3.22 | 0.91 lb |
| SAR | 3.19 | 1.11 lb |
| GOE | 3.17 | 0.93 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Common Carp
Channel Catfish
GIS
MOE
From the 2001-07-30 survey
Spring Lake contains a wide array of fish species due to its direct connection to the Mississippi River. Riverine species such as carp, freshwater drum, mooneye, goldeye, and various redhorse species are abundant. Channel catfish were the most abundant gamefish sampled for the third straight survey. Individuals up to…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Spring Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — SpringFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — SpringPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2023-10-05
Monitoring stations: 1