Rice Lake near Gaylord: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Within Nicollet County, Minnesota, you have Rice Lake. The setting is pine and birch on every side. At about 98 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The whole outline is near 1.7 miles, and most of it is walkable. It is low-lying compared with other Minnesota water we list. Gaylord sits 7.2 miles from the bank. Beyond it, Winthrop at 11 miles and Arlington at 12 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Fish documented in Nicollet County include rainbow trout, common carp, bluegill, brown trout and yellow perch. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Treat Rice Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 72°F and January near 12°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Ice clears near early April and comes back about late November in a typical year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan around that when you fish Rice Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Norwegian Grove Wildlife Management Area covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Plaman Lake is 0.6 miles distant. Ask locally about Rice Lake if anything is unclear.