Mantrap

The 2025 target survey consisted of spring trap netting to examine Muskellunge for passive integrated transponder so a population estimate can be made Muskellunge.

Mantrap Lake (Big Mantrap) is located in central Hubbard County, two miles east of Emmaville. Mantrap Lake is 1,618 acres with a maximum depth of 68 feet. There are two state owned public accesses on Mantrap. The main access is located on the south side of the west basin and has two concrete ramps. The second is located on the south end of the north arm, with a shallow and soft earthen ramp. Mantrap provides angling opportunities for Muskellunge, Northern Pike and Black Crappies. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Mantrap Lake is in Lake Class 25; lakes in this class are deep, clear, and irregularly shaped lakes. Other Lake Class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Belle Taine, Little Mantrap, and Spider Lakes. Muskies are a very popular fish in Mantrap but are not well sampled with normal gear types. Special spring sampling has taken place in recent years and has shown the population is very good with the biggest fish reaching 52 inches. There is a special regulation for Northern Pike on Mantrap Lake. All pike 24 to 36 inches in length must be immediately released, with a possession limit of three, and only one over 36 inches. Anglers can expect to find an abundant population of Northern Pike with an average size of 24 inches and 3.4 lbs. Northern Pike were sampled in good numbers up to 35 inches long, with most fish ranging from 19-28 inches. Mantrap is a popular lake for panfish, especially for Black Crappies. There is a special regulation for crappie of a five fish possession limit. Black Crappies were sampled in all sizes from 5 to 13 inches, with the majority being 8-9 inches. Most Bluegills and Pumpkinseeds were from 3-8 inches, with no fish exceeding 9 inches. Eurasian watermilfoil has been identified in Mantrap. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Mantrap Lake (29-0151-00) is a 1,617.69-acre lake with a maximum depth of 68 feet located 3 miles east of Emmaville, MN. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by Park Rapids Fisheries Staff on July 10 - 11, 2017 to assess populations of non-game and small sport fish. Eighteen 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat conditions. During this assessment, six sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine and four sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at eight sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at all 18 sites, several of which were conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured several species of fish including two species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish and Blacknose Shiner. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gillnet and trapnet catch data from a standard fisheries survey on June 26, 2017, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of Mantrap Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Mantrap Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch in Mantrap. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Mantrap has a maximum depth of 68 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mantrap is from 2022.

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

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 2 special rules for Mantrap, covering black and white crappie and northern pike. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.