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Spirit Reservoir Fish & WildlifeSpirit Reservoir supports a diversity of fish species, with 24 species known to occur. Game species include walleye, northern pike, muskie, and largemouth bass. The reservoir has a low walleye population, but produces large trophy-size individuals. Northern pike are numerous with an average size less than 20 inches (See recent length-frequency histogram below). Muskie are less common, but individuals over 40 inches have been collected. Yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and black crappie are the predominant panfish species, with perch and crappie abundant (see recent length-frequency histograms below). Black crappie, which are very cyclic, produced a strong year-class in 1994, as shown in the 1995 and 1996 length-frequency histograms. These individuals should be 10+ inches by the fall of 1998, offering a quality fishing opportunity. Spirit also supports an abundant bullhead population for the more passive angler. Species considered rare in Spirit Reservoir have been collected during recent fishery surveys and include the chestnut lamprey, golden redhorse, and brown trout. The few brown trout likely originate from the upper portions of the Spirit River, which is classified as a Class III trout stream. As more fishery surveys are conducted in the future, the new data will be added to this page. |
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| A diversity of wildlife also inhabit the Spirit Reservoir area and the New Wood Wildlife area located near the reservoir. The most common big game animals include the white-tailed deer and black bear. Small game mammals common to the area include the eastern cottontail, gray squirrel and fox squirrel. Furbearers include beaver, with several lodges on the reservoir, coyote, red fox, raccoon, weasels, and river otter. One pack of the endangered gray timber wolf resides near the reservoir. Bald Eagle and osprey, classified as threatened species, and the common loon, a state special concern species, annually nest on the reservoir, along with several song bird species. Common waterfowl that nest on or near the reservoir are the mallard, wood duck, blue-winged teal and occasional black ducks. | ||
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