Little Rock Lake Fishing guide

A total of 16 Walleye were captured in gillnets for a catch rate (CPE) of 1.45/gillnet. The CPE of Walleye in Little Rock fluctuates widely in surveys, likely due to a combination of factors including open connection to the Mississippi River. Since 1996, it has ranged from 0.64/gillnet (2014) to 17.09/gillnet (2020). Gillnets provide information on the length distribution, age, growth, and abundance of Walleye. Catch rates can vary widely between surveys which is why it is important to monitor long-term trends. This was illustrated in 2025, as despite a relatively low gillnet catch rate, anecdotal reports following the survey suggested that the Walleye fishery is still of high quality. Fifty-six percent of fish exceeded 14 inches in length. This has historically ranged from 53% (1996) to 100% (2009). Walleye in Little Rock grow quickly, typically attaining 15 inches by age 3. EW was conducted on September 10, 2025, to assess the success of natural Walleye reproduction. The assessment consisted of 4 stations and a total of 1 hour of run-time. A total of 60 young of the year Walleye and 13 yearling or adult Walleye were captured. This catch rate of 60/hour was above the historical median of 38/hour (12 surveys). EW catch rate in Little Rock has historically been a good predictor of year class catch rate in gillnets, so the 2025-year class should provide a significant year class for anglers.

Gillnets captured a total of 50 Northern Pike for a CPE of 4.55/gillnet (goal 1.2 -7.8/gillnet). This is the highest CPE since 2002 (6.45/gillnet). Lengths ranged from 17.32 to 30.51 inches and averaged 23.8 inches. Of the 47 fish measured, 43% exceeded 24 inches (goal > 30%) and 2 fish exceeded 30 inches. Fish over 30 inches are sampled regularly in Little Rock.

Channel Catfish were first sampled in Little Rock in 1985 and catch rates remained low until 2002. In 2025, a total of 74 Channel Catfish were captured for a CPE of 6.73/gillnet. Lengths sampled ranged from 14 to 27 inches and averaged 23.29 inches. Ages observed ranged from 3 to 15, with the most prominent at this time being age 10 and 11. Longevity was normal and growth was above average when compared to other Minnesota Lakes, with fish attaining 24 inches by age 10.

A total of 3 Yellow Perch were captured in 2025 (0.27/gillnet). Catch rates of this species have been low in surveys post-2002, but anglers have reported finding a few perch large enough to eat.

A total of 17 Black Crappie were captured in 2025 with lengths ranging from 5.4 to 6.9 inches. No ages were taken in 2025, but it appears that the 2023-year class dominates the Black Crappie community at this time. Anecdotal reports from 2025 also support this. Black Crappie exhibit excellent growth in Little Rock (10.6 inches at age 4), and the 2023-year class should be of interest to anglers by 2027. A total of 3 Bluegill were captured in gill nets in 2025 with lengths ranging between 8.1 and 8.8 inches. All were age 4, suggesting exceptional growth which is typical in Little Rock. Catch rates of Bluegill in all gears have historically been low, suggesting lower abundance than Black Crappie. Recent ice-out assessments have captured Bluegills in excess of 10 inches. Due mostly to Little Rock's lack of dense and expansive vegetation beds at this time, Black Crappie provide a more consistent and significant fishery than Bluegills. Anglers that report catching Bluegill typically encounter them as bycatch, but some have reported successful efforts targeting the species.

No Largemouth Bass or Smallmouth Bass were captured in 2025. The lake is not currently managed for bass and does not appear to provide a significant fishery for either species. Previous surveys have documented the presence of large fish (> 18 inches) belonging to both species which have provided bonus catches for anglers targeting other species.

White Sucker have been consistently abundant in Little Rock. A total of 31 (2.91/gillnet) were captured in 2025. CPE has fluctuated widely around a median of 7.36/gillnet since 2002. The relatively low catch in 2025 is not concerning considering historical variability and the significant presence of young White Sucker in the 2024 seining and electrofishing sample.

Bigmouth Buffalo were present in numbers that have not been previously observed in gillnets. A total of 57 were captured in 2025, ranging in length from 10.0 to 14.2 inches. Most of the fish were 3-years old and the average length of this year class was 11.8 inches. These fish also dominated ice-out trap net catches in 2024 (2870 were captured). Spawning success appears to be intermittent in Little Rock. The only previous survey to document a large year class was in 2008, when 49 Bigmouth Buffalo measuring between 18 and 21 inches were captured in trap nets. Though Bigmouth Buffalo appear similar to Common Carp, they are more closely related to suckers. They are a native fish to Minnesota's waters and do not have harmful effects on the fish community like Common Carp. These fish can reach impressive sizes (Minnesota record is over 41 pounds) and have lifespans of decades. Though notoriously a difficult species to catch with a rod and reel, Bigmouth Buffalo in Little Rock provide a unique opportunity for the area.

Common Carp are known to be abundant in Little Rock, but do not often reflect their abundance in gillnets. The 2025 gillnets captured 22 juvenile fish measuring between 12.6 to 17.3 inches, evidence of a recent strong year class. Adult fish were absent in the sample despite being present in every gillnetting survey since 1996.