Fishing Rice Lake in Lake County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Within Lake County, Minnesota, you have Rice Lake. It lies 1,506 feet above sea level. Around 209 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. With 3.6 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Lake County. The town to know is Ely, 24 miles out. Beyond it, Babbitt at 28 miles and Silver Bay at 36 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Lake County names white sucker, yellow perch, northern pike, rainbow trout and walleye. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Rice Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 4°F in January and 64°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. From about late April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Expect Rice Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There are toilets mapped about 170 yards away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Flapper Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. The position on Rice Lake is worth confirming on the day.