Lake information report

Name: Rebecca

Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled for the 2011 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species (Trapnet, Gillnet) Sampled for the 2011 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelin es enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

General Population

DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels that trigger advice to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate

Status of the Fishery (as of 06/06/2011)

Rebecca is a 254-acre lake located south of Rockford in western Hennepin County. It is entirely within the Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, operated by the Three Rivers Park District. The lake is primarily managed for muskellunge and secondarily managed for bluegill and largemouth bass. Since 1987, Lake Rebecca has been Minnesota's primary source for Leech Lake strain muskellunge eggs. While there is a 48-inch minimum size limit on muskellunge, it is important for anglers to handle these fish carefully and return them to the water quickly to ensure these fish will be able to contribute to future generations of Minnesota muskellunge.

A fish population assessment was conducted during the first week in June 2011 to evaluate the size structure and abundance of game fish species in the lake. Only trap nets were used during this assessment to limit physically damaging and physiologically stressing muskellunge.

During the June summer assessment, 5 muskellunge were sampled, ranging in length from 37.0 to 41.3 inches in length. Early every spring, muskellunge are netted for the egg-take operation. In spring 2011, 48 were netted, averaging 39.5 inches and 14.8 lbs, with the largest reaching 45.7 inches and 28.1 lbs.

Bluegill abundance is high (260.9/ trap net). Historically this has been the case as the previous 4 assessments have averaged 215.5 per net. Size structure has not changed much over the previous assessments and continues to be small. Bluegill averaged 6.1 inches long and 0.17 lbs, with the largest reaching 7.1 inches and 0.25 lbs. Thirty-six percent of bluegill sampled were between 3 and 6 inches, and the majority (64%) were between 6 and 7.1 inches (PSD = 64). Bluegill body condition was good; however there was a decrease in condition for fish over 6 inches in length. Ages ranged from 2 through 7, with the 2006 (45% of the total sampled) and 2007 (35% of the total sampled) year classes being the most abundant. Growth was slow compared to the statewide average. At age 3, bluegill averaged 4.8 inches, and at age 6 they averaged 6.6 inches.

Black crappie abundance is moderately high (16.0/ trap net). Crappie catch over the previous 4 assessments has varied from 7.2 to 25.4 per net, averaging 20.9 per net. Black crappie averaged 7.3 inches and 0.21 lbs, with the largest reaching 9.1 inches and 0.40 lbs. Size structure has improved from the previous assessment in 2005, where black crappie averaged 6.5 inches and 0.14 lbs. In 2011, 83% were between 5 and 8 inches (PSD = 16), and 16% were 8 inches or longer. Black crappie body condition was good on average but fish 5 to 8 inches were in better condition than fish 8 inches and longer. Ages ranged from 2 through 6, with most fish evenly distributed between ages 2 through 5. Growth was average until age 5, when it slowed considerably. Black crappie averaged 7.0 inches at age 3 and 8.3 inches at age 5.

Seventeen largemouth bass were collected during the assessment; however, passive sampling gears, such as trap nets, are not effective methods for collecting largemouth bass. The data presented for this species is not indicative of relative abundance or size structure. Electrofishing is the typical method for largemouth bass assessments but was not conducted during this survey. Mean size was 9.4 inches and 0.38 pounds with the largest reaching 11.9 inches and 0.68 lbs. A largemouth bass fishery is present in Lake Rebecca; however a full, accurate status of the adult population can't made based on this survey's net-based sampling.

Other species sampled in low abundance were black bullhead (0.20/net), common carp (0.80/net), golden shiner (3.20/net), hybrid sunfish (1.20/net), pumpkinseed (8.9 / net), and yellow perch (1.50/net).

An assessment of fish in the shallow, nearshore habitats was also conducted using backpack electrofishing and seining. Seven species were sampled, the two most abundant were bluegill and black crappie. Other species sampled were central mudminnow, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The purpose of the nearshore sampling is to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity score. An Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is estimated based on all fish sampled in this assessment. The absence of sensitive species such as minnows and darters contribute to a low IBI score.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 7050 E Hwy 101, Suite 100 Shakopee, MN 55379 Phone: (952) 496-4141 Internet: West Metro Fisheries E-Mail: MetroWest.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 To order, use C0957 for the map-id.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093