Little Rabbit

Little Rabbit Lake is a 172 acre lake located near Riverton in Crow Wing County. Little Rabbit is part of the Mississippi River-Brainerd watershed. The lake has a maximum depth of 30'. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place on 17 August 2016, with all ten stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at five stations. Five stations had heavy vegetation which would not allow for seining. In total 24 species were sampled including Iowa Darter, blacknose shiner, blackchin shiner, and banded killifish. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gillnet and trapnet survey conducted on 07-12 July 2016 to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score. This score will be an indicator of the health of Little Rabbit Lake.

A survey of nearshore fish species was conducted on August 2, 2016 by IBI Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations, but 1 station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 1 station, a 15-foot seine was used at 6 stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at 3 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including 6 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Rock Bass) and 2 that are tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The nearshore fish data was combined with gill net and trap net data from a July 2016 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. The FIBI score for Little Rabbit Lake is above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes and is indicative of a healthy fish community. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Little Rabbit Lake is located in the Mississippi River-Brainerd Watershed.

Little Rabbit is a 170 acre lake located near Riverton in Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 30', with areas 15' deep or less covering 47% of the lake. A public access is located on the eastern shore of the south basin. Another access is located on the northern shore of the south basin. A navigable channel also provides access from the Mississippi River. The northern pike gillnet catch of 7.7/net was average when compared to similar lakes. Average length was 22.0", with 29% at least 24" in length. Selective harvest of these larger pike will help maintain a balanced population. Black crappies were sampled in high numbers in gillnets (9.0/net), and average numbers in trapnets (3.6/net). Average length was 7.0" for gillnets, and 6.8" in trapnets. For both gears combined 31% were at least 8.0" in length. It takes 5-6 years of growth to produce a 10" crappie in this lake. Bluegills were captured in average numbers in trapnets at 19.3/net. Average length was 6.3", with 37% at least 7.0" in length. It takes 8-10 years to grow an 8" bluegill in Little Rabbit. A spring nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted to sample largemouth bass. Bass were caught at a rate of 41.2/ hr. of run time. Average length was 12.4", with largemouth bass over 12" making up 54% of the catch. Largemouth bass were sampled in average numbers in gillnets at 1.3/net. Average length was 13.4". Channel catfish were sampled in Little Rabbit for the first time. Catfish migrated to Little Rabbit from the Mississippi River where they are getting more numerous all the time. Average length on the two fish sampled was 20.6". Zebra mussels are present in Little Rabbit. Before and after launching lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

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

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

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

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Rabbit is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Little Rabbit, covering crappie and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.