Rice Lake

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Rice Lake is a shallow, highly productive, 266-acre lake located in Faribault County near the Town of Wells. Residential development around the lake is moderate, with much of the shoreline remaining intact. A forested buffer zone ranging in width from approximately 50 to 450 feet surrounds much of the lake, except for a 1,400-ft section of shoreline in the northwest corner. The buffer separates Rice Lake from adjacent agricultural fields and aids in trapping excess nutrients from rain water runoff. Rice Lake was reclaimed in 1998 and 1999. A winter kill occurred during the winter of 2000  2001. A DNR owned ramp located on the north shore of the lake provides access for the public. The sport fish community consists of northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. Walleye fry were stocked in 2003 and northern pike fry were stocked in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011. The current management plan calls for northern pike fry to be stocked in two out of three years.

Northern pike catch rates (12.3/gill net) in 2011 were the highest catch rates observed during a survey at Rice Lake. Northern pike catch rates increased four-fold from 2006, when northern pike were captured at a rate of 3.0/gill net. The size structure of northern pike was stable, with fish ranging from 9.2 to 34.3 inches in length and averaging 17.8 inches. Forty percent of northern pike sampled were less than 12.0 inches, indicating a successful fry stocking or natural reproduction, and forty-nine percent were between 20.0 and 26.0 inches. One northern pike larger than 30.0 inches was captured.

Black crappies were extremely abundant immediately after reclamation in 1999 and subsequent stocking. Trap net and gill net catch rates decreased since 2006, with catch rates decreasing from 27.0/trap net and 31.0/gill net in 2006 to 2.3/trap net and 7.7/gill net in 2011. Although black crappie abundance is down from previous years, the size structure of the population is larger. In 2011 black crappies sampled in gill nets ranged from 6.6 to 12.9 inches in length and averaged almost 10.0 inches compared to 3.9 to 9.5 inches with an average length of 8.0 inches in 2006. Nearly half of black crappies sampled in 2011 were greater than 10.0 inches in length.

Bluegills were captured at a rate of 14.0/trap net in 2011 which is markedly less than the 120.8/trap net reported in 2006. Bluegill catch rates in 2011 were slightly above average when compared to similar lakes. Bluegill size structure decreased from the 2006 survey, when bluegills ranged from 0.4 to 8.6 inches in length and averaged 6.0 inches. In 2011, bluegills were small, ranging from 3.7 to 7.8 inches in length and averaging 5.3 inches. Approximately three-fourths of bluegills sampled were less than 6.0 inches in length.

Similar to black crappies, yellow perch were extremely abundant after the reclamation and initial stocking (624.7/trap net), and were abundant until the winterkill during the winter of 2000-2001. The 2011 survey indicated a low abundance population as catch rates averaged 0.3/trap net and 2.7/gill net, which are below average when compared to similar lakes. Yellow perch ranged in length from 9.0 to 10.5 inches and averaged 9.7 inches.

Black bullheads continued to occur in high abundance in Rice Lake. Since 1988, black bullhead catch rates have ranged from 100.5/gill net in 2006 to 333.0/gill net in 1990. Black bullhead catch rates in 2011 fell within this range, and were captured at a rate of 296.7/gill net.

Post reclamation, common carp had not been sampled in Rice Lake. In 2011, common carp reappeared and were captured at a rate of 16.3/gill net and 5.0/trap net. Common carp that were sampled were likely age-0 fish that ranged from 4.5 to 9.9 inches in length and averaged 7.5 inches.

Green sunfish and hybrid sunfish were present but occurred in low numbers.

Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future.

Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils.

Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

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