Spellman Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spellman Lake |
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 Spellman Lake
Location in Minnesota
Spellman Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Normania Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°40′08″N 95°46′21″W / 44.6690°N 95.7725°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
Spellman Lake is actually the name for two small lakes: North Spellman Lake and South Spellman Lake. You can find them about 8 miles south of Clarkfield in Normania Township, which is part of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota.
These lakes and the land around them are special. They are set aside as federal areas where waterfowl (like ducks and geese) can live and raise their young. There are also state-owned areas nearby where people can go hunting.
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About Spellman Lake
Location and Features
Spellman Lake is made up of two smaller lakes, North and South Spellman Lake. They are located in southwestern Minnesota. The lakes are known for being shallow. This means they are not very deep, which affects what kind of fish can live there.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) helps take care of the lakes. They maintain a public access point on the north lake. This allows people to visit and enjoy the area.
Rules for the Area
To protect the wildlife and the environment, there are some important rules at Spellman Lake. When hunting, people must use nontoxic shot. This type of ammunition does not contain lead, which can be harmful to birds and other animals if they eat it.
Also, airboats are not allowed on either North or South Spellman Lake. Airboats are special boats that use a large fan to move across shallow water or land. Banning them helps keep the lakes peaceful and protects the wildlife.
Protecting Wildlife
The Spellman Lake area is home to many different birds. Hunters need to be very careful to only hunt allowed species. It is against the law to shoot protected birds. For example, bald eagles and swans are often seen in the area. These birds are protected and should never be harmed.
Lake Management
Water Level Changes
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sometimes manages the lakes by changing their water levels. This is called a drawdown. On November 28, 2006, the DNR started to lower the water level in Spellman Lake.
The main reason for this drawdown was to get rid of certain fish. Fish like carp and bullheads can sometimes take over a lake. They can make it harder for other plants and animals to thrive.
Refilling the Lake
The water was drained through the summer of 2007. After the water was low, new plants had a chance to grow on the lakebed. Once enough plants had grown, the lake was allowed to refill naturally. It refilled with rainwater and snowmelt.
The DNR decided not to add new fish to the lakes after the drawdown. Spellman Lake is now managed as a "fish-less" system. This means it is not meant to have many fish. The lakes are very shallow, which makes it hard for popular game fish to survive there anyway. This management plan helps the lakes be a better home for waterfowl and other wetland creatures.
