Fishing Big Rice Lake in Cass County, Minnesota

• Overview

  The Cass County end of Minnesota holds Big Rice Lake. The water sits 1,289 feet up. This is sizeable water at about 3.4 sq miles, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 17 miles of edge, most people fish a single area and learn it well. On our Cass County list it sits near the top for size. Nearest place of any size is Cohasset, 24 miles away. Crosslake is 25 miles away, with Grand Rapids at 25 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Big Rice Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Cass County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, walleye and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Take Big Rice Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 67°F and January at 6°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Big Rice Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Pug Hole Lake at 1.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Big Rice Lake carry more weight than any list.