Rice Lake Fishing near Chisholm, Minnesota

• Overview

  Rice Lake is one of the Itasca County waters in Minnesota. It sits in lake country bush. The water covers some 32 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The town to know is Keewatin, 31 miles out. Fargo is the closest city, 169 miles away. Round about: Larson Lake just 1.4 miles, Duck Lake 1.6 miles off, Caroline Lake just 1.7 miles, Bass Lake 1.8 miles off and Sucker Lake just 2.4 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Itasca County include yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Rice Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 66°F, while January sits near 4°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Expect Rice Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Larson Lake at 1.4 miles is the nearest alternative. What applies at Rice Lake may have changed since it was mapped.