Rickert Nature Preserve Toads and Frogs

Rana pipiens

Widespread throughout the state and are the best known frog in the state. They are heavily collected for fish bait and for the biological supply trade. There is little regulation on the collection of Northern Leopard Frogs in Minnesota. Populations suffered a major crash in 1973 which halted the commercial collection for other than bait from 1974 until 1987. Recent harvest reports have only been in the 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per year range. Reports in the early 1970s were in the 100,000 pound range. Northern Leopard Frog populations have declined significantly from the past and are probably still declining.