Rebecca

Rebecca is a 263-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake is located south of Rockford in western Hennepin County. It is entirely within the Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, operated by the Three Rivers Park District. The lake is primarily managed for Muskellunge and secondarily managed for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass. Since 1987, Lake Rebecca has been Minnesota's primary source for Leech Lake strain Muskellunge eggs. It is important for anglers to handle these fish carefully and return them to the water quickly to ensure these fish will be able to contribute to future generations of Minnesota Muskellunge. A Standard Survey was conducted during the first week in June 2016 to evaluate the size structure and abundance of game fish species (other than Muskellunge) in the lake. Only trap nets were used during this assessment to limit physically damaging and physiologically stressing Muskellunge. In 2021, Bluegill were sampled in extremely high numbers. Of the 2,433 Bluegill that were sampled, 97% were between 4.5 and 6.0 inches in length. The largest fish was 6.5 inches long. Black Crappie were sampled at above average, though not extremely high, numbers. Fish lengths were between 3.5 and 10.0 inches, with an average of 5.9 inches. Ninety percent of the fish were smaller than 7.5 inches. A good number of Yellow Perch were sampled in 2021, and their size was small. Fish lengths were between 4.5 and 7.5 inches, with an average of 5.9 inches. Sampling for Largemouth Bass was not conducted in 2021, and none were sampled in the trap nets. Other fishes sampled in low abundance were Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.

Rebecca is a 254-acre, Class 24 lake located south of Rockford in western Hennepin County. It is entirely within the Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, operated by the Three Rivers Park District. The lake is primarily managed for Muskellunge and secondarily managed for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass. Since 1987, Lake Rebecca has been Minnesota's primary source for Leech Lake strain Muskellunge eggs. It is important for anglers to handle these fish carefully and return them to the water quickly to ensure these fish will be able to contribute to future generations of Minnesota Muskellunge. A fish Standard Survey was conducted during the first week in June 2016 to evaluate the size structure and abundance of game fish species in the lake. Only trap nets were used during this assessment to limit physically damaging and physiologically stressing Muskellunge. Bluegill abundance was above average (27.3/ trap net). Historically Bluegill abundance has been extremely high; the previous 5 assessments (1993 - 2011) have averaged 224.6 Bluegill per net. While abundance has decreased, size structure has not changed much over the years and continues to be small. Bluegill averaged 5.4 inches and 0.12 lb, with the largest reaching 7.6 inches. Seventy-three percent of Bluegill sampled were between 3 and 6 inches, and 26% of the fish were between 6 and 7.6 inches. Ages ranged from 1 through 5, with the 2013 year class being the most abundant (42% of catch). The fish are growing fast compared to the statewide average. At age 3, Bluegill averaged 5.8 inches. Black Crappie abundance was average in the 2016 survey (7.2/ trap net). Black Crappie averaged 4.4 inches and 0.04 lb, with the largest reaching 8.3 inches. Size structure is small. In 2016, 93% of the fish sampled were smaller than 5 inches. Ages ranged from 1 through 3; eighty-two percent of the catch was age 1. Black Crappie growth was fast; the fish reached an average of 5.8 inches by age 2. Nighttime electrofishing was conducted during the spring to survey the Largemouth Bass population. One hundred ninety-five bass were collected, resulting in a catch rate of 100 fish per hour of on-time, which is high for this area. Average size of fish was 8.9 inches and 0.49 pounds. The largest fish measured 20.1 inches. Bass ages 1 through 6 and 8 through 11 were collected, reflecting regular recruitment. Forty-eight percent of the fish collected were age 2. Growth rate was above average relative to other lakes in the state; fish reach an average of 10.0 inches by age 3 and 13.2 inches by age 5. Other fishes sampled in low abundance were Muskellunge, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed and Yellow Perch.

Rebecca is a 254-acre lake located south of Rockford in western Hennepin County. It is entirely within the Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, operated by the Three Rivers Park District. The lake is primarily managed for muskellunge and secondarily managed for bluegill and largemouth bass. Since 1987, Lake Rebecca has been Minnesota's primary source for Leech Lake strain muskellunge eggs. While there is a 48-inch minimum size limit on muskellunge, it is important for anglers to handle these fish carefully and return them to the water quickly to ensure these fish will be able to contribute to future generations of Minnesota muskellunge. A fish population assessment was conducted during the first week in June 2011 to evaluate the size structure and abundance of game fish species in the lake. Only trap nets were used during this assessment to limit physically damaging and physiologically stressing muskellunge. During the June summer assessment, 5 muskellunge were sampled, ranging in length from 37.0 to 41.3 inches in length. Early every spring, muskellunge are netted for the egg-take operation. In spring 2011, 48 were netted, averaging 39.5 inches and 14.8 lbs, with the largest reaching 45.7 inches and 28.1 lbs. Bluegill abundance is high (260.9/ trap net). Historically this has been the case as the previous 4 assessments have averaged 215.5 per net. Size structure has not changed much over the previous assessments and continues to be small. Bluegill averaged 6.1 inches long and 0.17 lbs, with the largest reaching 7.1 inches and 0.25 lbs. Thirty-six percent of bluegill sampled were between 3 and 6 inches, and the majority (64%) were between 6 and 7.1 inches (PSD = 64). Bluegill body condition was good; however there was a decrease in condition for fish over 6 inches in length. Ages ranged from 2 through 7, with the 2006 (45% of the total sampled) and 2007 (35% of the total sampled) year classes being the most abundant. Growth was slow compared to the statewide average. At age 3, bluegill averaged 4.8 inches, and at age 6 they averaged 6.6 inches. Black crappie abundance is moderately high (16.0/ trap net). Crappie catch over the previous 4 assessments has varied from 7.2 to 25.4 per net, averaging 20.9 per net. Black crappie averaged 7.3 inches and 0.21 lbs, with the largest reaching 9.1 inches and 0.40 lbs. Size structure has improved from the previous assessment in 2005, where black crappie averaged 6.5 inches and 0.14 lbs. In 2011, 83% were between 5 and 8 inches (PSD = 16), and 16% were 8 inches or longer. Black crappie body condition was good on average but fish 5 to 8 inches were in better condition than fish 8 inches and longer. Ages ranged from 2 through 6, with most fish evenly distributed between ages 2 through 5. Growth was average until age 5, when it slowed considerably. Black crappie averaged 7.0 inches at age 3 and 8.3 inches at age 5. Seventeen largemouth bass were collected during the assessment; however, passive sampling gears, such as trap nets, are not effective methods for collecting largemouth bass. The data presented for this species is not indicative of relative abundance or size structure. Electrofishing is the typical method for largemouth bass assessments but was not conducted during this survey. Mean size was 9.4 inches and 0.38 pounds with the largest reaching 11.9 inches and 0.68 lbs. A largemouth bass fishery is present in Lake Rebecca; however a full, accurate status of the adult population can't made based on this survey's net-based sampling. Other species sampled in low abundance were black bullhead (0.20/net), common carp (0.80/net), golden shiner (3.20/net), hybrid sunfish (1.20/net), pumpkinseed (8.9 / net), and yellow perch (1.50/net). An assessment of fish in the shallow, nearshore habitats was also conducted using backpack electrofishing and seining. Seven species were sampled, the two most abundant were bluegill and black crappie. Other species sampled were central mudminnow, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The purpose of the nearshore sampling is to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity score. An Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is estimated based on all fish sampled in this assessment. The absence of sensitive species such as minnows and darters contribute to a low IBI score.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, and Black Crappie in Rebecca. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Rebecca has a maximum depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Rebecca has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.