Big Rice

Cass County

Near Remer

DOW: 11007300

Northern PikeExcellent · 80Yellow PerchGood · 64WalleyeAverage · 49

A 2,030-acre lake near Remer in Cass County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1989.

Fish Species (8)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.66 lbs

Catch rate: 12.2 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	12.17	-	1.66 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 26, 1989	1.27	-	1.78 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 64

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.61 lbs

Catch rate: 4.7 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	0.67	-	0.52 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 26, 1989	4.67	-	0.61 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 49

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.81 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	1.67	-	1.81 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 26, 1989	0.33	-	1.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Average · 27

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.67 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	0.20	-	0.67 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 26, 1989	0.17	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 12

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.28 lbs

Catch rate: 0.27 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	0.27	-	0.28 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 1

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	0.20	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Shorthead Redhorse

Excellent · 87

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	0.83	-	1.80 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 65

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.56 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 26, 1989	1.33	-	2.56 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 26, 1989	0.13	-	1.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Rock Bass

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

June 26, 1989DUE TO THE WINTERKILL SITUATION AND SHALLOW DEPTH, IT IS SUSPECTED THAT MANY OF THE FISH THAT SPEND THE SUMMER IN BIG RICE LAKE MOVE INTO THE WILLOW R…

DUE TO THE WINTERKILL SITUATION AND SHALLOW DEPTH, IT IS SUSPECTED THAT MANY OF THE FISH THAT SPEND THE SUMMER IN BIG RICE LAKE MOVE INTO THE WILLOW RIVER AND ALSO UPSTREAM TO THE PUGHOLES DURING THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS. DURING THE EARLY SPRING MONTHS MANY FISH RETURN TO BIG RICE. NORTHERN PIKE ARE ABUNDANT WITH AVERAGE GROWTH RATES. THE NUMBER OF WALLEYES SAMPLED IN THIS SURVEY WAS QUITE SURPRISING CONSIDERING THE CONDITIONS THAT EXIST IN THIS LAKE. HOWEVER, GOOD AREAS DO EXIST IN THE WILLOW RIVER AND THE PUGHOLE LAKES.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Big Rice?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Rock Bass, and Pumpkinseed in Big Rice. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Big Rice?

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

How deep is Big Rice?

Big Rice has a maximum depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Big Rice last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Big Rice is from 1989. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Big Rice have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Big Rice?

No — Big Rice has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.