Rat
A 87-acre lake near Whipholt in Cass County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1990.
Fish Species (10)
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 3.3 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 3.25 | - | 2.87 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 1.00 | - | 1.86 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.50 | - | 0.10 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 1.25 | - | 0.28 lbs |
Bluegill
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 24.6 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 1.25 | - | 0.08 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 24.62 | - | 0.13 lbs |
Black Crappie
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.75 | - | 0.13 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 1.38 | - | 0.40 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.25 | - | 0.10 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 2.50 | - | 0.14 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.25 | - | 3.10 lbs |
Rock Bass
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.88 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.50 | - | 0.15 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.88 | - | 0.24 lbs |
Other species in this lake (3)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Black Bullhead
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.12 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.12 | - | 0.40 lbs |
| Jun 20, 1990 | 1.00 | - | 0.45 lbs |
Golden Shiner
Small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.50 | - | 0.05 lbs |
Yellow Bullhead
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.12 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 1990 | 0.12 | - | 0.50 lbs |
Biologist Notes
June 20, 1990The gillnet catch of northern cisco was fairly high (16.5/GN). Most of the fish sampled ranged in length from 12 to 15 inches. The northern pike gilln…
The gillnet catch of northern cisco was fairly high (16.5/GN). Most of the fish sampled ranged in length from 12 to 15 inches. The northern pike gillnet catch (3.3/GN) is not high when compared to most lakes in this area. Several fish over 30 inches long were sampled. The northern pike exhibit a good growth rate. The trapnet catch of bluegill (24.6/TN) is not high. The RSD-7 value is 22. The growth rate for bluegill is good compared to many area lakes. Few largemouth bass were sampled. Several year classes of black crappie were sampled, indicating good natural reproduction and recruitment. Yellow perch numbers appear to be low.Rusty crayfish were found to be present in Rat Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Rat?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Rat. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Rat?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Rat. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Rat?
Rat has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Rat last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rat is from 1990. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Rat have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Rat in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 87.3 acres
- Max Depth
- 35 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.58 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed