Lake Rachel

How big is Lake Rachel?

How deep is Lake Rachel?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Rachel?

What are the closest cities to Lake Rachel?

Are there boat launches on Lake Rachel?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Rachel?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Rachel?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Rachel that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

Rachel Lake is a 496-acre natural basin located in south central Douglas County near Holmes City. Maximum depth is 65 feet. Water quality and clarity are typically very good, although significant annual variability is noted. Water transparency during the June, 2012 survey exceeded 10.0 feet. Rachel Lake supports a robust aquatic plant community. Habitat attributes are typical of a "Bass-Panfish" ecological classification.

Lake area and habitat characteristics have varied over the last 20 years. Heavy rains in the mid-80s resulted in significant increases in water levels. An outlet was constructed in 2003, but lake elevation remains near the ordinary high water mark. Much of the basin's emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush and cattail) was lost. Some portion of fisheries impacts was offset by navigable connection to Little Rachel Lake. This shallow wetland-type habitat afforded sustained access to spawning and nursery habitats for northern pike and sunfishes.

Northern pike harvest is regulated by a 24.0 - 36.0 protected slot length limit. Due to the navigable connection between Rachel and Little Rachel lakes, the northern pike harvest regulation applies to both basins.

Habitat changes did result in shifts in fish community structure, but throughout duration of environmental flux, Rachel Lake has sustained diverse, high-quality fishing opportunities. Northern pike densities declined, but pike remain abundant. Gillnet catches averaged 7.3 pike/net. Survey statistics suggest the 24.0 - 36.0 protected slot length limit has been modestly effective in reducing total standing stock of northern pike and positively reshaping size structure. Seventeen percent of stock-size northern pike sampled in 2012 exceeded 28.0 inches in total length. Average size was 24.3 inches and 3.4 pounds.

Largemouth bass abundance also increased. Largemouth bass electrofishing efforts yielded 90.0 fish/hour. A large portion of the population is comprised of fish less than 12.0 inches in length. However, 17% of captures exceeded 15.0 inches in length. The largest fish sampled measured 18.2 inches. Average size was 10.2 inches and 0.8 pounds.

Despite a decrease in bluegill densities, anticipated improvements in growth rates and size structure were not observed. Bluegills in Lake Rachel continue to grow slowly. Age-4 fish averaged 4.1 inches in total length. It can take up to nine years for bluegill in Lake Rachel to reach harvestable size. Mean length of captures in 2012 was 6.1 inches. No bluegill captures exceeded 8.0 inches in length. Releasing larger individuals while harvesting smaller fish would benefit Lake Rachel's bluegill population.

Black crappies are present, but insufficient numbers were captured to accurately assess abundance, growth, and age structure. Anecdotal evidence suggests population abundance and contributions to angler's creel are greater than described by mid-summer survey statistics.

Walleye fingerlings or yearlings are stocked on an alternate-year basis in order to sustain a viable fishery. As characteristic of lakes with abundant top predators (northern pike and largemouth bass), relative success of stockings are less than that of fertile, lightly vegetated lakes. Catch rates increased modestly during the 2012 survey, but remain on the low side of expected catch rates for similar area lakes. Walleye catches tend to be greater when northern pike numbers are low. Average size of walleye captures was 15.6 inches and 1.6 pounds.

What is the average air temp for Lake Rachel?

Are there any state parks near Lake Rachel?