Fishing Rice Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Rice Lake is listed under Itasca County, Minnesota. The bank is 1,332 feet above sea level. Roughly 29 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The nearest town is Cohasset, 26 miles away. Fargo sits 156 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Within easy reach: Lundeen Lake about 0.6 miles, Logging Sleigh Lake 0.9 miles, Johnson Lake about 1.2 miles, Billo Lake 1.3 miles and Ethel Lake about 1.4 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Itasca County include yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Rice Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 4°F and July at about 67°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Open water usually runs from mid April until about late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Rice Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Lundeen Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Rice Lake.