Rice

Rice Lake of Rice County is a 323 acre lake located southwest of the city of Shieldsville. The lake is accessible by small boat or canoe off of Kasson Trail, near the Cannon River outlet. Rice Lake is a shallow lake with an average depth of only 2.5 feet and a maximum depth of 6.7 feet. Based on lake characteristics, Rice Lake is placed in Lake Class 43. Other area lakes with this classification include Cody Lake (Rice County), Gorman Lake (Le Sueur County), and Wita Lake (Blue Earth County). Rice Lake is managed primarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch and secondarily for Northern Pike. Rice Lake is susceptible to periodic winterkills, after which managed fish species are stocked if the community is not repopulated by the Cannon River. During the harsh winter of 2013-14, Rice Lake experienced dissolved oxygen levels below 1.0 parts per million, which likely resulted in at least a partial winterkill. Rice Lake was surveyed the week of July 13, 2015 as part of a standardized monitoring program conducted by the Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying four gill nets and nine trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Black Crappie The 2015 Black Crappie catch rate was 14.5 fish/gill net, which was an increase from the previous survey conducted in 2010 (8.9 fish/gill net) and slightly greater than the long-term average for Rice Lake (14.3 fish/gill net). The 2015 trap net catch rate of 9.7 fish/net was also an increase from 2010 (4.6 fish/net), but within the interquartile range for Lake Class 43 (1.2 - 20.5 fish/trap net). The size structure was small, as the average length of all Black Crappies sampled in the survey was 5.6 inches. Most fish in the survey were young, as 83% of the catch was age-1 or age-2. Black Crappies averaged 5.2 inches at age-1, 7.0 inches at age-2, and 8.5 inches at age-3. The small, young population in 2015 suggested that Black Crappie likely succumb to winterkill in 2013-14. Bluegill Bluegills averaged 47.7 fish/trap net, which was a decrease from the survey conducted in 2010 (100.7 fish/trap net) and near the long-term average for Rice Lake (50.5 fish/trap net). Only 9% of the Bluegills sampled from both gear types measured 6.0 inches or longer and the average length was 4.3 inches, which indicated a small size structure. Bluegills were aged using scales and averaged 4.1 inches by age-1, 6.2 inches by age-2, 6.9 inches by age-3, 7.6 inches by age-4, and 8.2 inches by age-5. Bluegills have not been stocked in Rice Lake and were present from natural reproduction and immigration from the Cannon River. Yellow Perch Yellow Perch were sampled in 2015 at a rate of 25.0 fish/gill net, which was an increase from the 2010 survey (5.0 fish/gill net) and was greater the long-term average for Rice Lake (19.2 fish/gill net). The Yellow Perch size structure was small, as only 5% of the sample was 8.0 inches or longer and the average length was 6.7 inches. About 83% of the aged fish were age-1 or age-2, so the population was composed primarily of young individuals. Yellow Perch averaged 5.7 inches at age-1, 6.8 inches at age-2, and 9.3 inches at age-3. Yellow Perch have not been stocked in Rice Lake, so the population recruited naturally. Northern Pike The 2015 Northern Pike gill net catch rate of 4.0 fish/net was less than the long-term average for Rice Lake (5.5 fish/net). Although the 2015 catch rate was similar to the 2010 catch rate, the average length decreased from 24.8 inches in 2010 to 16.9 inches in 2015. Ninety-five percent of the Northern Pike sampled in the 2015 survey were age-1 or age-2, which suggested that the population was composed of young individuals. Northern Pike averaged 14.5 inches at age-1 and 17.4 inches at age-2. Rice Lake has not been stocked with Northern Pike. Largemouth Bass Largemouth Bass were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 3.0 fish/net, which was the highest catch rate on record for Rice Lake. The average length of all Largemouth Bass from this survey was 8.7 inches, while the largest individual measured 14.5 inches. Most of the sample was composed of age-2 fish. The average length of Largemouth Bass was 8.3 inches at age-2 and 9.4 inches at age-3. The undeveloped shoreline of Rice Lake was lined with fallen timber and aquatic vegetation, such as white water lilies, which serve as beneficial habitat for Largemouth Bass and other fish species. Black Bullhead Black bullheads were abundant in the 2015 survey. Gill nets averaged 81.3 fish/net, which was similar to the 2010 catch rate of 76.2 fish/net. The highest Black Bullhead catch rate on record for Rice Lake was in 2005, when gill nets averaged 202.0 fish/net. Black Bullheads from the 2015 survey ranged in length from 4.3 to 14.2 inches and averaged 7.2 inches. ? Other Species Common Carp averaged 3.2 fish/trap net, which was near the long-term average for Rice Lake (2.3 fish/trap net). Other fish species sampled in low abundance included Bowfin (N = 6), Bigmouth Buffalo (N = 2), Yellow Bullhead (N = 2), Pumpkinseed (N = 4), Green Sunfish (N = 1), hybrid sunfish (N = 1), and Golden Shiner (N = 1). Angling Summary At the time of the 2015 survey, the Rice Lake fish community was composed mainly of young, small populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. Rice Lake was suspected to have winterkilled during the harsh winter of 2013-14, so the fish community was still rebounding in 2015. Size structures of all fish populations should continue to increase as the community becomes established. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

Rice Lake in Rice County is a 323 acre lake located southwest of Shieldsville. The lake is accessible by the public by stepping off Kasson Trail onto the west end of the lake where the Cannon River enters. Maximum depth in Rice Lake doesnt exceed 6 feet. Rice Lake was surveyed the week of July 15, 2010. Black bullhead overwhelmed the gill net catch. 76 black bullheads were caught per gill net lift. Black bullheads were small, averaging 6.7 inches. Black bullhead declined from the 2005 survey, wherein 202 fish were caught per gill net lift. Black crappie abundance dropped considerably from 2005 to 2010, with gill netted crappies dropping from 35 to 8.7 and trap netted crappies dropping from 22 to 4.6 respectively. Quality (8"), Preferred (10"), Memorable (12"), and Trophy (15") stocks of black crappie in all gears dropped since 2005. In 2005, all gear PSD-8 was 54%, PSD-10 was 39%, PSD-12 was 6%, and PSD-15 was 1%. In 2010, all gear PSD-8 was 12%, PSD-10 was 9%, PSD-12 was 2%, and PSD-15 was 0%. Black crappie abundance and size structure fell sharply in five years. Bluegill abundance has increased as size structure decreased since 2005. 2010 net returns for bluegill came in at 3 fish per gill net set and 100 fish per trap net set. In 2005, those values were 8 and 14 respectively. Average size of bluegill in 2010 among all gears was 5 inches. Largemouth bass are usually not well sampled in passive gears (trap nets and gill nets) and are better sampled using electrofishing, but the 2010 population assessment turned up largemouth bass between 6 and 16 inches. Several year classes are present, and growth appears to be good. Very little development around the lake has left lakeshores, vegetation, and fallen timber intact to be used as cover by bass and other fish species. Northern pike are popular with winter spearing anglers on Rice Lake. Pike averaged 4 fish per gill net lift and ranged from 16 to 34 inches. Average pike size was 24 inches. Walleye fry were stocked in 2005 and 2009. Eight walleyes were caught in the assessment in trap and gill nets, a low level of abundance for this type of lake. Walleye ranged between 20 and 25 inches. Pumpkinseeds are coming on strong in Rice Lake. Pumpkinseed averaged 26 fish per trap net lift. However, the fish were small, averaging 4.6 inches in length. Only 4 pumpkinseeds total were caught in the 2005 survey. Pumpkinseeds may be exploiting niche availability in a reduced abundance panfish population. Yellow perch were mostly unchanged from the 2005 assessment. Perch averaged 5 fish per gill net lift and 3 fish per trap net lift. Gill netted perch averaged 7 inches in length. Perch up to 10 inches were observed. Other fish observed in the survey include bigmouth buffalo, bowfin (dogfish), common carp, freshwater drum, golden shiner, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, white sucker, yellow bullhead. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Rice Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Rice Lake provides a "boom and bust" fishery between winter kills. Fishing for crappie, bluegill, and northern pike has been very good in recent years. The Cannon River has a major influence on this fishery and forms its major inlet and outlet. Fish from General Shields Lake are probably the source of brood fish, which reestablish this fishery following winter kill.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, White Crappie, and Black Crappie in Rice. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Rice. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Rice has a maximum depth of 6.7 feet and a mean depth of 2.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rice is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Rice in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.