Spruce Creek (Deer Yard Creek) & Deer Yard Lake

Spruce Creek is also known as Deer Yard Creek and is listed as such on the Mn DNR trout map – Northeast – Map 6. According to the DNR it has rainbow and brook trout in some pools. If you follow the creek up to the headwaters of Deer Yard Lake you will find a lake with numerous walleye,  though not very often with much size. (NOTE: Deer Yard Lake cannot be accessed from the north side of the lake without much difficulty. The best way to reach it is from the south using the forest roads published.)

Charlie Hillard provides some great information for first-timers to the the lake on www.hookandbullet.com:  “Walleyes are plentiful but not huge. Anchor right off the landing and drown a minnow under a slip bobber in about 6-8 feet of water or just head up the narrows at the northeast end of the lake. There is a reef in this location whose top cannot be seen…just below the surface, watch you lower unit. You could almost park on top of this thing and fish the shelf all around you for some good action. Early spring rules this region and they can be nailed in the Fall as well. The Pike that patrol here are said to be very big by the locals.”

Deer Yard Lake Boat Landing

Unimproved, rough, wet launch site at the east end of the lake. Site is at the end of a very rough old forest road off the Pike Lake Road (County Road 45) but was flooded. Road may have been closed by the USFS. The better option is  the 125-ft carry-in to the south shore of the SW end of the lake. approximately 10ft of clarity in lake water.

Make sure to check the regulations if you decide to fish this creek.

Content the property of MN DNR and Charlie Hillard.

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