Little Rice Lake

Little Rice Lake

Size
1,197ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Little Rice Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Rock bass
Rock bass

Overview

Little Rice Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

  • Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
  • Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
  • Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
  • Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
  • Crappies: See Panfish.
  • Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
  • Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
  • Largemouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 21, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
  • Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length is 15”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3
  • Channel catfish: See Catfish.
  • Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
  • Bluegill: See Panfish.
  • White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.3375
0Statewide Range26.8087

Little Rice Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20229
Crappie
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.5583
0Statewide Range4.214166666666666

Little Rice Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.0042
0Statewide Range0.09195

Little Rice Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun
Northern pike
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.0667
0Statewide Range0.3447

Little Rice Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun
Perch
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.0917
0Statewide Range0.7271

Little Rice Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.85
0Statewide Range3.0770333333333335

Little Rice Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun
Rock bass
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.0125
0Statewide Range1.625

Little Rice Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2005
Sep
2022
Jun