Rice Lake near Long Prairie: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Rice Lake is a Morrison County water, in Minnesota. The setting is mixed forest on every side. About 541 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The shoreline runs about 5.5 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. It is among the larger waters listed here for Morrison County. 13 miles away sits Long Prairie, the nearest town. It is 107 miles to Minneapolis, the nearest city. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Morrison County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. The county list is broader than any single water. Rice Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 8°F to 69°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan around that when you fish Rice Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Thunder Lake is 1.6 miles off. Where Rice Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.