---
type: lake
name: "Spirit Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Bennettville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 523
max_depth_ft: 49
latitude: 46.44209
longitude: -93.70381
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "01017800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/spirit-lake
---

# Spirit Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Bennettville

- **Surface Area**: 523 acres
- **Max Depth**: 49 ft
- **Average Depth**: 15 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Spirit Lake is a 523-acre lake near Bennettville in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 49 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 5.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 20 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 20
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-13
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Hickory Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hickory-lake) - 1.4 miles, 212 acres
- [Little Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/little-pine-lake) - 2.1 miles, 226 acres
- [Hanging Kettle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hanging-kettle-lake) - 2.1 miles, 318 acres
- [Lone Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/lone-lake) - 2.2 miles, 433 acres
- [Ripple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/ripple-lake) - 2.2 miles, 630 acres
- [Hammal Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hammal-lake) - 3.5 miles, 376 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.44209,-93.70381)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01017800)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/spirit-lake)*