Spectacle Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Spectacle Lake is mapped to a depth of 40 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 242 acres in Isanti County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1982.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 40 ft
- Survey year
- 1982
- Surface area
- 242 acres
- Shoreline
- 3.43 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 2% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Spectacle Lake Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site
Additional depth details5 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–40 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 40 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 45.57295, -93.39981
- MN DNR lake ID
- 30013500
- Vertical exaggeration
- 2.32×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.2 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Spectacle Lake has a mixed natural and developed setting, generally sheltered geometry, some nearby classified roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Mixed | 10.2 of 35 | 43% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (32% forest, 8% wetland; 38% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Very Good | 19.6 of 29 | mean fetch 894 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · generally short fetch |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Good | 15.0 of 18 | 1 DNR public access site · boat ramp |
| Road isolation | Good | 9.0 of 18 | some nearby classified roads · 9 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 7,312 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 2% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Limited — 32% forest and 8% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys18 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Hybrid Sunfish
Sunfish
Banded Killifish
Bluntnose Minnow
Spotfin Shiner
Blackchin Shiner
Blacknose Shiner
Iowa Darter
Mimic ShinerAbout these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2013Gamefish Largemouth Bass 209 · Northern Pike 56 · Walleye 26
Panfish Bluegill 870 · Pumpkinseed 47 · Yellow Perch 35
All survey species18 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Infested waters listing
2 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2019 (listed 2019).
Plants & algae
Eurasian WatermilfoilConfirmed in this water in 2007 (listed 2007).
How to identify invasive species in Minnesota lakes →
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Spectacle Lake — common questions
How deep is Spectacle Lake?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Spectacle Lake is 40 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Spectacle Lake?
Spectacle Lake covers about 242 acres in Isanti County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Spectacle Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish. The page lists all 18 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Spectacle Lake?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists a public access site on Spectacle Lake: a boat ramp with a boat dock and restrooms. It is administered by the DNR Division of Parks and Trails. DNR directions: "8 mi W of Cambridge on Mn Hwy 95, then 1.5 mi S on Mn Hwy 47, then 0.75 mi W on Cnty Rd 37, then N on Spectacle Lake Rd to S shore."
