Roberds
A 632-acre lake near Shieldsville in Rice County — best known for muskie and bass. Last surveyed 2023.
Fish Species (18)
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2020
Catch rate: 0.43 per gill net · typical 0.2–1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2020 | 0.43 | 44.3" | 23.37 lbs |
| Jul 7, 2008 | 0.12 | 44.0" | 17.86 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 59.9 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.33 | 10.7" | 2.61 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 59.94 | 10.7" | 0.93 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 6.81 | 14.3" | 1.75 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–7.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.78 | 23.8" | 2.90 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 4.00 | 23.8" | 2.97 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 4.86 | 25.7" | 3.74 lbs |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 8.8 per gill net · typical 2.5–16.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 8.75 | 6.8" | 0.16 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 2.44 | 6.8" | 0.52 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 1.86 | 9.6" | 0.74 lbs |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2020
Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–6.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.50 | 4.8" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 1.00 | 8.0" | 0.24 lbs |
| Jul 8, 2013 | 0.12 | 8.5" | 0.22 lbs |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 1.4 per gill net · typical 1.2–6.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 8, 2025 | 1.00 | 9.0" | 0.22 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.22 | 15.3" | 0.96 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 1.38 | 15.3" | 1.47 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003
Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.7–4.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2003 | 0.08 | 6.0" | 0.22 lbs |
| Jun 30, 1998 | 0.08 | 5.0" | 0.18 lbs |
| Aug 11, 1988 | 0.50 | - | 0.52 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 2–27.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 6.00 | 7.6" | 0.20 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.11 | 7.6" | 0.14 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 3.29 | 7.6" | 0.10 lbs |
Below-normal numbers
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 0.62 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 1.00 | 24.6" | 6.68 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.62 | 24.6" | 5.21 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 5.00 | 27.0" | 6.63 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 9.0 per trap net · typical 7.5–62.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 3.38 | 5.6" | 0.23 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 9.00 | 5.6" | 0.18 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 3.57 | 8.6" | 0.56 lbs |
Below-normal numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008
Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2008 | 0.08 | 6.0" | 0.26 lbs |
| Jul 7, 2003 | 0.33 | 1.0" | - |
| Jun 30, 1998 | 0.20 | 5.0" | 0.11 lbs |
Other species in this lake (7)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 5.4 per trap net · typical 0.9–5.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 5.44 | 11.1" | 1.09 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 8.88 | 11.1" | 0.84 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 0.43 | 12.0" | 1.13 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.36 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2017 | 0.36 | 14.8" | 1.81 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 4.9 per gill net · typical 4–32.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 4.88 | 18.1" | 2.15 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 17.67 | 18.1" | 2.88 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 7.57 | 16.2" | 2.31 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.7–25.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 6.38 | 9.9" | 0.61 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 1.00 | 9.9" | 0.81 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 0.71 | 12.2" | 1.16 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.3–3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.22 | 22.3" | 5.30 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.25 | 22.3" | 6.38 lbs |
| Jun 26, 2020 | 4.00 | 25.8" | 9.83 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2023
Catch rate: 0.38 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2023 | 0.38 | 6.0" | 0.07 lbs |
| Jul 8, 2013 | 0.09 | 6.0" | 0.08 lbs |
| Jul 7, 2008 | 0.08 | 5.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.12 per gill net · typical 0.4–2.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2013 | 0.12 | 16.0" | 2.04 lbs |
| Jul 14, 1993 | 0.20 | 20.5" | 6.08 lbs |
| Jul 14, 1993 | 0.08 | 20.5" | 8.75 lbs |
Biologist Notes
October 8, 2025A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Roberds Lake on 24 September 2025 using 60 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. One age-0 Walley…
A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Roberds Lake on 24 September 2025 using 60 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. One age-0 Walleye was sampled for a catch rate of 1.0/hour on-time. Catch rates have averaged 4.4/hour on-time during 9 surveys since 2017. During that period non-stocked years (n = 5) yielded 1 age-0 Walleye. Past Walleye management has failed to produce a significant catch (> 4.0/net) in survey gill nets despite almost annual heavy stocking of fingerling and mixed-age adult Walleyes. The management strategy switched in 2018 to fry stocking during even years (except in 2020 due to COVID which was made up in 2021). The 2021 and 2024 catch rates offer some hope, albeit limited, that fry stocking could produce what previous stocking strategies haven't in Roberds Lake.
October 23, 2023A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Roberds Lake on 23 October 2023 using 56 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. Zero age-0 Walleye…
A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Roberds Lake on 23 October 2023 using 56 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. Zero age-0 Walleye were sampled for a catch rate of 0.0/hour on-time. Catch rates have averaged 3.1/hour on-time during 7 surveys since 2017. During that period non-stocked years (n = 4) yielded no age-0 walleyes. Past walleye management has failed to produce a significant catch (> 4.0/net) in survey gill nets despite almost annual heavy stocking of fingerling and mixed-age adult Walleyes. The management strategy switched in 2018 to fry stocking during even years (except in 2020 due to COVID which was made up in 2021). The 2021 and 2022 catch rates offer some hope, albeit limited, that fry stocking could produce what previous stocking strategies haven't in Roberds Lake.
October 23, 2023A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Roberds Lake on 23 October 2023 using 56 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. Zero age-0 Walleye…
A survey targeting age-0 Walleye was conducted at Roberds Lake on 23 October 2023 using 56 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. Zero age-0 Walleye were sampled for a catch rate of 0.0/hour on-time. Catch rates have averaged 3.1/hour on-time during 7 surveys since 2017. During that period non-stocked years (n = 4) yielded no age-0 walleyes. Past walleye management has failed to produce a significant catch (> 4.0/net) in survey gill nets despite almost annual heavy stocking of fingerling and mixed-age adult Walleyes. The management strategy switched in 2018 to fry stocking during even years (except in 2020 due to COVID which was made up in 2021). The 2021 and 2022 catch rates offer some hope, albeit limited, that fry stocking could produce what previous stocking strategies haven't in Roberds Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Roberds?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and White Crappie in Roberds. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Roberds?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Roberds. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Roberds?
Roberds has a maximum depth of 43 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Roberds last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Roberds is from 2023.
Does Roberds have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Roberds in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 632.29 acres
- Max Depth
- 43 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.57 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed
Location
44.3289°N, 93.3447°W
Depth contours: Minnesota DNR, digitized from lake surveys of varying vintage. Water levels change — verify on the water.
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