Rice

Rice Lake is a 322 acre impoundment of the Mississippi River created by a dam owned by the City of Brainerd. Because of this, not only will anglers find typical lake species, but there are also riverine species present as well. One of those species that has really taken off is Channel Catfish. The catch rate in 2021 of 32.7/net was up considerably from the previous survey in 2014 (1.1/gill net). Average size was 16.8", with fish ranging from 9.5" to 24.5". Another fish species that you won't find a lot of places in the Brainerd Area is Smallmouth Bass. They were caught in above average numbers (1.3/gill net) for this type of lake. Average length was 12.9" and 58% were 12" or larger. Fish up to 17.8" were caught. Night electrofishing was done for both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. While only one Smallmouth Bass was captured, Largemouth were captured at the rate of 36.4/hour. This was up from the previous survey in 2014 (15.5/hour). Average length was 13.6" and 85% were 12" or larger. Panfish are popular on Rice in both the winter and open water seasons. In 2021, new regulations were adopted for the Mississippi River from the Brainerd Dam upstream to Highway 6, including Rice Reservoir, that reduces the daily possession limit to 5 for crappie and sunfish. This new regulation is intended to protect and improve panfish sizes on this stretch of water. The average size of Black Crappies in this survey was 8.2", with 59% measuring 8" or larger. Bluegill average size was 7.5", with 28% of the fish 7" or larger. Walleye were caught in average numbers (2.6/gill net) for this type of lake. Average length was 13.0" and 64% of the fish were 12" or larger. Northern Pike numbers were low at 1.3/gill net. Average size was 23.4", with 33% of the fish within the 22-26" protected slot and 33% over 26". Muskellunge offer another unique fish that anglers may try for. Although none were sampled during the survey, there are angler reports of fisherman catching them in Rice Lake as well as the Mississippi River. Seven fish were caught in a special Muskellunge assessment in the spring of 2017 on this stretch of the reservoir.

A survey targeting muskellunge with large-framed trap nets was conducted on Rice Lake and the Mississippi River in May 2017. Eight large frame trap nets were set in Rice Lake and the Mississippi River upstream of Rice Lake to just south of the French Rapids access on May 2. Nets were lifted and reset daily through May 12. Seven captures of six muskellunge occurred during the netting with one recapture. The six individual muskellunge captured in this survey ranged from 40.2 to 46.1 inches in length with a mean length of 43.6 inches. A special fishing regulation requires all muskellunge caught from the Mississippi River from the Blandin Dam in Grand Rapids downstream to the Coon Rapids Dam including Rice Lake must be immediately released.

Rice Lake is a 322 acre impoundment of the Mississippi River created by a dam owned by the City of Brainerd. Because of this, not only will anglers find typical lake species but there are also riverine species present as well. Smallmouth bass is the primary management species while walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge are secondary management species. The smallmouth bass catch rate was 0.7/gill net, which is above average for lakes similar to Rice. The average length of these fish was an impressive 17.5". Fish as large as 18.4" were sampled with all of the smallmouth bass measuring greater than 12". Electrofishing was also conducted to sample both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Although only 1 smallmouth bass was sampled (15.8"), largemouth bass were sampled at a rate of 15.5 per hour. The average size of these largemouth bass was 13.7". Rice Lake gives anglers in the Brainerd Lakes area an opportunity of fishing for both largemouth and smallmouth bass on the same body of water. The walleye catch rate was 2.0/gill net, which is just slightly below average for lakes like Rice. Average length was nearly 15" and largest was close to 23". About 67% of the walleyes sampled were 12" or larger. There were 6 year classes represented with 24 % coming from the 2011 year class. The northern pike catch rate was 3.6/gill net. This is slightly below average for lakes similar to Rice. The average length was a respectable 24.4". Also, 53% were 24" or larger. Growth rates of both walleyes and northern pike are above average in Rice due to a decent forage base of yellow perch. The yellow perch catch rate was 16.2/gill net, which is above average for lakes like Rice. Although most of them don't attain sizes preferred by anglers, many are the perfect size forage for the walleye and northern pike of Rice Lake. Panfish are another option for anglers. Black crappie catch rates were above average at 6.1/gill net. The average size was just over 8" with fish up to nearly 11" measured. Forty-one percent of the black crappies were 9" or larger. The bluegill catch rate was 12.4/trap net, which is a little below average. The bluegill average size was 6.3" with the largest being 8.7". Twenty-one percent of bluegill were 7" or larger. Because of the riverine influence on Rice Lake, channel catfish are available to anglers. The catch rate was 1.1/gill net while the average size was 18.2". Muskellunge offer another unique fish anglers may try for. Although none were sampled during the survey, there are angler reports of fisherman catching them in Rice Lake as well as the Mississippi River. Muskellunge were stocked in the Mississippi River in 1980 and again starting in 2006. Other fish species sampled include bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, greater redhorse, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, and yellow bullhead.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye in Rice. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Rice. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Rice has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rice is from 2021.

Yes — Rice has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.