Wild Rice Lake

How big is Wild Rice Lake?

How deep is Wild Rice Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Wild Rice Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Wild Rice Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Wild Rice Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Wild Rice Lake 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?

Wild Rice Reservoir is a 2,127 acre reservoir located near Duluth, MN with 100% littoral area and a maximum depth of 11 feet. There is a Minnesota Power back-in concrete ramp located just west of the dam off of County Road 247 that is open to public use. Wild Rice is operated as a water storage reservoir by Minnesota Power and is subject to water level manipulation. Wild Rice was last surveyed in 2009. Wild Rice was assessed during the summer of 2014 to update information about fish populations.

Walleye have not been stocked into Wild Rice since 1983 because sufficient natural reproduction has been documented to sustain the walleye fishery. Walleye abundance of 14.1 per gillnet lift was down from 2009 (17.5) but still above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye mean length was 16.0 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Recruitment is relatively consistent with only five missing year-classes over 20 years from 1994 through 2013. Sixty-seven percent of the Walleye catch was from 2009-2010 year-classes.

Northern Pike abundance of 9.5 per lift was up from 2009 (7.3) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of Northern Pike was 22.9 inches and growth was fast when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Recruitment was consistent with all year-classes represented from 2008 through 2013. A few large individuals were aged to either the 2003 or 2006 year-class. The 2011 year-class was strong, contributing to 50% of the overall catch.

Yellow Perch abundance of 38.6 was up substantially from 2009 (3.5) and above average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Historically, Yellow Perch gillnet abundance has been highly variable in Wild Rice ranging from 3.5 to 40.3 per lift. Average length of Yellow Perch was 7.3 inches and growth was fast when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2005 to 2012 were represented.

Black Crappie abundance of 6.3 per lift was up from 2009 (5.0) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. The 2014 trapnet catch of 6.3 per lift represents a historic high for Wild Rice. Black Crappie mean length was 9.0 inches and growth was fast when compared to other Duluth Area populations. All year-classes from 2005 to 2012 were represented.

Bluegill abundance of 25.1 per lift was up substantially from 2009 (11.1) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Bluegill were first encountered in Wild Rice by DNR Fisheries in 1988. Since then, Bluegill trapnet abundance has dramatically increased over the last several investigations. Average length was 6.3 inches and over 15% of the catch exceeded 8 inches.

No prior Largemouth Bass electrofishing assessments had been conducted on Wild Rice, and the species had never been sampled by DNR Fisheries in any investigation dating back to 1942. However, Fond du Lac Resource Management sampled one juvenile Largemouth Bass during an annual young-of-the-year walleye assessment in 2009 and anecdotal reports from anglers indicate that a fishable population is emerging. As a result, a spring electrofishing assessment targeting Largemouth Bass was conducted in 2014. Six Largemouth Bass with a mean length of 12.5 inches were sampled. The catch rate of Largemouth Bass was 3.2 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth, but recruitment appears sporadic with only two year-classes represented.

Other fish species sampled included Hybrid and Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Golden Shiner and White Sucker.

What is the average air temp for Wild Rice Lake?

Are there any state parks near Wild Rice Lake?