Upper Rice

Clearwater County

Near Alida

DOW: 15005900

Yellow PerchAverage · 45PumpkinseedPoor · 11

A 1,527-acre lake near Alida in Clearwater County — best known for panfish. Last surveyed 1995.

Fish Species (6)

Yellow Perch

Average · 45

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 51.5 per gill net · typical 8–40.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 5, 1995	9.00	6.5"	0.03 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 5, 1995	7.33	6.5"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 5, 1995	51.50	6.5"	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 11

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.0"

Avg Weight

0.03 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 1.4–8.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 5, 1995	0.33	3.0"	0.03 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.0"

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 5, 1995	0.33	12.0"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Brown Bullhead

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.7"

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 29.0 per trap net · typical 1.5–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 5, 1995	5.00	9.7"	0.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 5, 1995	7.00	9.7"	0.53 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 5, 1995	29.00	9.7"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 43

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.4"

Avg Weight

0.49 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 1–5.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 5, 1995	4.00	7.4"	0.49 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 5, 1995	1.00	7.4"	0.05 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 5, 1995	8.67	7.4"	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 1000.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 5, 1995	1000.00	-	-	1/4-in trap nets

See the best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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").

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

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 5, 1995Test nets set in 1995 found brown bullheads, yellow perch, and white suckers in fair abundance, from both gill nets and trap nets. Minnow species capt…

Test nets set in 1995 found brown bullheads, yellow perch, and white suckers in fair abundance, from both gill nets and trap nets. Minnow species captured included common shiners, fatheads, and central mudminnows. One small northern pike, and one small pumpkinseed were captured in trap nets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Upper Rice?

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

Is there public access at Upper Rice?

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

How deep is Upper Rice?

Upper Rice has a maximum depth of 13 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Upper Rice is from 1995. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Upper Rice have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Upper Rice?

No — Upper 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.