Summary of 22 Consecutive Years of Creel Census on Spirit Lake

A creel census has been used on Spirit Lake annually since 1945. There have been two creel census methods used. Each method and the results obtained are discussed. Fish harvest, harvest rate, and angler use has fluctuated between wide limits. For an average year, bullhead, yellow perch, and walleye are creeled in that order of abundance. The catch rate has averaged 1.24 fish-hour for the 22-year period. Since 1960 there has been a 30 percent reduction in the average annual angler use on Spirit Lake