Rice Lake

Description

The principal water bodies within the Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area are Rice Lake (1,400 acres), Big Lake (1,000 acres), Duck Island Main Lake (166 acres), Duck Island Little Lake (57 acres), Goose Lake, Slim Lake, and Beebe Lake. Rice Lake, Big Lake, Goose Lake, Slim Lake and Beebe Lake are shallow backwater lakes that are sustained primarily by groundwater seepage and overflow from the Illinois River. Duck Island Main Lake and Duck Island Little Lake are the only deep water areas within the site and are located in the quarry at the downstream end of Duck Island. Because the Rice Lake SFWA is not separated from the Illinois River by a high levee, its fish populations fluctuate in composition, numbers, and condition as the area is alternately flooded and dewatered by river levels. The basin of Rice Lake and Big Lake are broad and dish-shaped, constraining the quality and quantity of year-round fish cover. Ongoing water level management activities involve midsummer drawdowns to promote moist-soil plant production. As a result, water levels in Rice Lake and Big Lake during July and August are typically no more than 12 to 16 inches, with water temperatures during drawdown approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions severely limit both the composition and survival of fish populations. Rice Lake has had recent low dissolved oxygen fish kills occurring in the summers of 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2018. High Illinois River levels in 2008, 2009 and 2010 prevented major water level draw downs in Rice Lake and no major fish kills occurred. No major fish kills occurred in Big Lake or the attached Duck Island Main Lake during these same time frames. The attached Duck Island Main Lake serves as a deep water refuge and/or escapement for fish in Big Lake.

Fishery History

The 2021 and 2024 electrofishing surveys were able to be completed at several stations in Rice Lake, while the 2022 survey was restricted to the boat ramp ditch due to low water levels in the main lake basin. The 2021 and 2022 collections had a similar average diversity compared to the last 10 years with 24 species collected. The density of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black and Brown Bullhead populations are still very low. Water level does not appear to be the only factor for their population densities. Dramatic declines have been observed after low water years, which then surge after high water years. But this is not currently evident. The low water levels and late summer fish kills appear to have a direct effect on these populations, too. Due to the annual inundation of the Rice Lake Complex by the Illinois River, fish species management on this small scale is a difficult objective. The associated sedimentation, loss of lake water volume and loss of aquatic plants have all negatively impacted the sportfish habitat present in the Rice Lake Complex. The current fishery is also definitely hindered by the lack of deep water habitat for the winter and the summer stress periods. An accessible deep water refuge of 7 to 10 feet of water in approximately 20% of the Rice Lake/Big Lake complex would be a goal for a future restoration project at this site. The current function of the site does allow for some fish refuge in the Duck Island gravel pit, which contains 166 acres of deep water habitat. Annual fish population analysis surveys will be used to monitor the fishery and evaluate its quality. The major parameters to be used in measuring the species quality will include catch per unit of effort values, index of condition and overall species composition. Fish population documentation will provide baseline data and changes from the historical data. The data collected now may be needed to evaluate and improve the design for future restoration projects or management actions. Limited fish stocking may occur at the Rice Lake Complex. Northern Pike fry have been stocked in the early spring at the site to utilize the flooded terrestrial vegetation as nursery habitat. Migration to deep water habitat and the Illinois River is expected. Alligator Gar were stocked into the Duck Island Little Lake in 2010. This lake at the Rice Lake Complex was one of several Illinois River backwater lakes chosen as initial stocking sites for the Alligator Gar reintroduction in Illinois. Alligator Gar survival, growth and habits will be evaluated at these sites. The buffalo, Common Carp and invasive carp populations continued to be present at high densities and selectively sampled due to the high biomass that was present for sampling.

Site Regulations

Boat fishing is not allowed during the waterfowl hunting season and the week preceding it. Bank fishing is allowed year-round in the vicinity of the Complex headquarters. Bank and boat fishing are also allowed year-round on Duck Island Main Lake and Little Lake. Boat fishing is prohibited from October 1 to April 1 on Rice Lake, Big Lake, Beebe Lake, Goose Lake and Slim Lake. Ice fishing, sport or commercial, is not permitted at the Rice Lake Complex. Open water commercial fishing is available with a site permit from April 1 to August 31st.

Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:

• Recreational Use Restriction: Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (see above)
• All Fish: Sport fisherman may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears from May 1 through August 31
• Large or Smallmouth Bass: 12 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit

Additional Information

FALL FISHING CLOSURE: October 18.

Planning to eat your catch?  Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory Page

Bath Map: Rice Lake SFWA