Rabbit (West Portion)

Walleyes are currently stocked at the rate of 165 lbs of fingerlings every other year (odd years). The 2021 catch was average at 4.2/gill net. Average length was 18.3" and 87% of the fish were 12" or larger. Northern Pike numbers were average for this type of lake at 7.3/gill net. Average size was 22.3" and 33% of the fish measured 24" or larger, with fish caught up to 32.6". Please be aware that if you decide to fish for Northern Pike, there is a 24"-36" protected slot length limit on the lake. Any fish caught in that size range must be immediately returned to the water. This regulation is intended to increase the average size of northern pike and improve the survival of yellow perch. The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch rate was 87.4/hour. Average length was 11.2" and 41% of the fish were 12" or larger. Fish ranged in size from 5.5"-18.3". Smallmouth Bass are also present in low numbers. Four were caught while electrofishing ranging from 10.6"-19.1". Only five Black Crappies were captured the entire survey. Bluegill numbers looked decent at 22.9/trap net. Average size was 6.1" and 29% measured 7" or larger. Fish up to 9.3" were caught.

West Rabbit Lake is a 531 acre lake located just north of Cuyuna in Crow Wing County. West Rabbit has a maximum depth of 50'. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Fourteen 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. In this survey all 14 stations were sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at five stations, and the 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at two additional stations. Seven stations had heavy vegetation and/or soft sediment which did not allow for seining. A total of 17 species were sampled including blacknose shiner, blackchin shiner, mimic shiner, and pugnose shiner. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gillnet and trapnet survey on 6-9 July 2015, to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score. This score will be an indicator of the health of West Rabbit Lake.

West Rabbit Lake looks like it could offer good fishing for the larger gamefish species such as walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass. There were even a handful of smallmouth bass sampled up to 18". Walleye have been stocked for some time and are currently stocked at the rate of 334 lbs. of fingerlings every other year (odd years). The 2015 catch was average at 4.2/net. Average length was 13.8" and 42% of the fish were 12" or larger. The 2013 year class seemed to be doing well as 54% of the fish sampled were aged to that year. Northern pike numbers were average (5.2/net) and average size was good at 25.3". An impressive 62% of the fish were 24" or larger, with fish caught up to 32.5". Please be aware that if you decide to fish for northern pike there is a 24"-36" protected slot length limit on the lake. Any fish caught in that size range must be immediately returned to the water. This regulation is intended to increase the average size of northern pike and improve the survival of yellow perch. The largemouth bass electrofishing catch rate was the highest to date at 96.9/hr. Average length was 11.8" and 47% of the fish were 12" or larger. Fish ranged in size from 6-18". The panfish population didn't look as well for fishermen. Only three black crappie were captured the entire survey. Bluegill numbers were average at 14.3/net, but size was very small. Average size was 4.9", with only 5% measuring 7" or larger.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Northern Pike in Rabbit (West Portion). See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Rabbit (West Portion). Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Rabbit (West Portion) has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rabbit (West Portion) is from 2021.

Yes — Rabbit (West Portion) has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.