Rice

Hennepin County

Near Maple Grove

DOW: 27011600

Northern PikeExcellent · 80Yellow PerchGood · 66Hybrid SunfishGood · 53

A 365-acre lake near Maple Grove in Hennepin County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1994.

Fish Species (16)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.9"

Avg Weight

2.58 lbs

Catch rate: 9.3 per gill net · typical 1.5–7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike34% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 66%Largest sampled 31"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	9.33	20.9"	2.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	0.33	20.9"	0.26 lbs	Survey seining
Jul 11, 1994	0.33	20.9"	2.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.2"

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 78.7 per gill net · typical 3–26.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch7% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 93%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	78.67	6.2"	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	19.67	6.2"	0.03 lbs	Survey seining
Jul 11, 1994	8.89	6.2"	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 53

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 1.9 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish4% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 96%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	3.00	5.3"	0.12 lbs	Survey seining
Jul 11, 1994	1.89	5.3"	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 1985	9.25	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Stocked 2017

Average · 49

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 35.0 per trap net · typical 2.4–15.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie1% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 99%Largest sampled 11"

Stocked with adults once · 1,500 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	20.67	6.3"	0.01 lbs	Survey seining
Jul 11, 1994	35.00	6.3"	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1994	8.83	6.3"	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2017	adults	1,500	75.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Pumpkinseed

Average · 40

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 10.4 per trap net · typical 0.8–8.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	10.44	4.3"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1994	0.17	4.3"	0.21 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	8.67	4.3"	-	Survey seining

Bluegill

Stocked 2017

Average · 40

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.2"

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 40.2 per trap net · typical 1.9–29.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill1% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 99%Largest sampled 8"

Stocked with adults once · 3,000 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	40.22	5.2"	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1994	3.83	5.2"	0.26 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	105.33	5.2"	-	Survey seining

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2017	adults	3,000	150.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

White Crappie

Poor · 24

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.7"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 1.2–6.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable white crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	0.44	5.7"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1994	2.33	5.7"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Green Sunfish

Poor · 24

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.6"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.2–2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable green sunfish0% keeper-size (7"+)

3–6" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	2.67	3.6"	0.05 lbs	Survey seining
Jul 11, 1994	0.56	3.6"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 1985	0.38	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Stocked 2017

Poor · 0

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.1"

Avg Weight

0.39 lbs

Catch rate: 1.2 per gill net · typical 0.5–1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass0% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 100%Largest sampled 11"

Stocked with yearlings once · 2,000 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	0.44	5.1"	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1994	1.17	5.1"	0.39 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	12.67	5.1"	0.07 lbs	Survey seining

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2017	yearlings	2,000	66.7	Private citizens and sporting groups

Other species in this lake (7)

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

Golden Shiner

Excellent · 78

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.2"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 0.4–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	5.33	6.2"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets

Common Carp

Good · 58

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

24.0"

Avg Weight

6.43 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–4.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	0.50	24.0"	6.43 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	0.33	24.0"	7.68 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 1985	0.50	-	0.90 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 57

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.2"

Avg Weight

1.22 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	5.33	13.2"	1.22 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	0.22	13.2"	2.56 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 1985	0.50	-	1.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 46

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.5"

Avg Weight

0.46 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per trap net · typical 2.2–60.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	1.67	9.5"	0.46 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1994	19.00	9.5"	0.59 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 9, 1985	115.62	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.0"

Avg Weight

0.88 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 1.4–6.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	0.11	12.0"	0.88 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 25

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.2"

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per trap net · typical 0.8–6.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	0.17	8.2"	0.72 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1994	0.44	8.2"	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 1985	2.75	-	0.58 lbs	Standard trap nets

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 1.3 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1994	1.33	-	-	Survey seining

See the best northern pike 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).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Crappie

10 combined total

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 11, 1994Both bluegills and black crappies were found in above average numbers. Each species had an average weight of approximately 1/4 of a pound. The norther…

Both bluegills and black crappies were found in above average numbers. Each species had an average weight of approximately 1/4 of a pound. The northern pike population is also high. The average weight and length are 2.6 pounds and 21.6 inches. Twenty five percent of the northern pike sampled were longer than twenty five inches. The black bullhead population has dropped significantly since the 1985 survey. In 1994 alone, commercial fisherman removed 9380 pounds of bullheads. Largemouth bass, while sampled in small numbers, were abundant for this type of lake. Their average length, however, was only 8.3 inches. Rice Lake also contains a large population of yellow perch. A majority of these fish are in the seven to eight inch range.

July 9, 1985WHITE SUCKERS WERE FOUND AT BELOW LOCAL MEDIAN NUMBERS. BOWFIN, LARGEMOUTH BASS, GREEN SUNFISH, AND PUMPKINSEED WERE SAMPLED NEAR THE MEDIAN. CARP BLA…

WHITE SUCKERS WERE FOUND AT BELOW LOCAL MEDIAN NUMBERS. BOWFIN, LARGEMOUTH BASS, GREEN SUNFISH, AND PUMPKINSEED WERE SAMPLED NEAR THE MEDIAN. CARP BLACK BULLHEAD, YELLOW BULLHEAD, NORTHERN PIKE, YELLOW PERCH, BLUEGILL, BLACK CRAPPIE, AND HYBRID SUNFISH WERE SAMPLED AT ABOVE LOCAL MEDIAN LEVELS. BULLHEADS DOMINATE THE POPULATION. LOCAL REPORTS INDICATE THAT RICE LAKE IS A FREQUENT WINTERKILL LAKE. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT GAMEFISH MAY ENTER RICE LAKE FROM FISHLAKE AND INCREASE IN ABUNDANCE IN PERIODS BETWEEN KILLS.

July 12, 1979BLB were the only spec. tkn in num. abv meds. YB, PS, Blgl, and BLC were tkn in nums. blw the local med. YP were above the local med. trap net and N P…

BLB were the only spec. tkn in num. abv meds. YB, PS, Blgl, and BLC were tkn in nums. blw the local med. YP were above the local med. trap net and N Pike were below the local med. BLB are the only species of fish found in significant numbers. Lcl reports and this fact indicate that Rice Lk is a Chrnc wntrkl lk. Spec. such as Blgl, BLC, and NP may enter lk from Fish L immed. upstrm of Rice Lk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Rice?

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

Is there public access at Rice?

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.

How deep is Rice?

Rice has a maximum depth of 11.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Rice last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rice is from 1994. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Rice have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Rice?

No — 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.