Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best bluegill lakes in Rice County
The DNR has surveyed bluegill in 18 lakes in Rice County. Of those, 13 earn a grade on this site, and the top 10 are ranked below. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Phelps Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 282.5 bluegill per trap net in the 2015 survey, and the biggest was 9 inches. Cedar Lake is second at A−, with 46.6 bluegill per trap net in the 2025 survey, and 2% of its bluegill measured over 8 inches. Mazaska Lake is third at A−, and its biggest bluegill was 10 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 8" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phelps Lake | A | 303 | 282.5/net in trap nets | 6% | 9" | — | 2015 |
| 2 | Cedar Lake | A− | 902 | 46.6/net in trap nets | 2% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | Mazaska Lake | A− | 688 | 19.9/net in trap nets | 8% | 10" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Kelly & Dudley Lake | B+ | 128 | 45.4/net in trap nets | 18% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2022 |
| 5 | Fox Lake | B+ | 312 | 26.3/net in trap nets | 5% | 10" | 0.1 lb | 2023 |
| 6 | Rice Lake | B+ | 331 | 47.7/net in trap nets | 1% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2015 |
| 7 | French Lake | B | 876 | 16.8/net in trap nets | 3% | 8" | 0.1 lb | 2024 |
| 8 | Roberds Lake | B− | 632 | 9/net in trap nets | 6% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 9 | Cannon Lake | B− | 1,593 | 14.7/net in trap nets | 0% | 7" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 10 | Caron Lake | C+ | 319 | — | 0% | 6" | — | 2017 |
Also ranked in Rice County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Yellow perch
All of Minnesota: Best bluegill lakes in Minnesota
Grades are based on Minnesota DNR survey data: how many fish the DNR caught (scaled by lake size), how many reached quality size, and the biggest fish measured. Each lake's page has the numbers behind its grade. The table shows each lake's most recent survey year.