Fishing at Rice Lake, Maidstone, Saskatchewan

• Overview

  Rice Lake belongs to Maidstone, Saskatchewan. The bank is 560 metres above sea level. Surface area is around 45 hectares, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Unity at 63 km is the nearest place to stop. Saskatoon sits 194 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Alternatives close at hand: Birling Lake 4.8 km away, 6.5 km out stands Maskwa Lake, Rush Lake 7.9 km away, 13 km out stands Wilson Lake and Golden Lake 15 km away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On Rice Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one. When the water is clear, go lighter and further out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 18°C in July and bottoms out near -17°C in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly mid November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Rice Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Birling Lake sits 4.8 km off and takes the overflow. Where Rice Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.