Minnesota · DNR survey data
Rat Lake
Rat Lake covers 431 acres in Aitkin County, running to 21 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2022. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeFair numbers7.8per gill net19"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 59 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 59 fish
2022Lengths measured · 34 fish
2017Lengths measured · 52 fish
2011Lengths measured · 54 fish
2007BluegillJust a few12.9per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 181 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 181 fish
2022Lengths measured · 104 fish
2020Lengths measured · 65 fish
2017Lengths measured · 385 fish
2011CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net6"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 46 fish
2022Lengths measured · 41 fish
2017Lengths measured · 20 fish
2011Lengths measured · 114 fish
2007Yellow perchGood numbers8.5per gill net5"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 54 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 54 fish
2022Lengths measured · 52 fish
2017Lengths measured · 60 fish
2011Lengths measured · 24 fish
2007Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 195,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 195,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 195,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 195,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 195,000 fry |
Recent reports
Rat Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Rat Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Big Sandy Lake · 6,125 ac · 3.6 mi
- Minnewawa Lake · 2,351 ac · 4.1 mi
- Round Lake · 185 ac · 5.2 mi
- Aitkin Lake · 659 ac · 6.3 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 240 ac · 6.4 mi
- Rock Lake · 342 ac · 6.5 mi
- Bass Lake · 57 ac · 6.9 mi
- Round Lake · 554 ac · 7.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Rat Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Rat Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Rat Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2022) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Rat Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Rat Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Rat Lake in 2022, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .