Fishing Rice Lake in Washington County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Out in Washington County, Minnesota, sits Rice Lake. It sits at 906 feet above sea level. Roughly 116 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The bank runs about 2.3 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It is among the larger waters listed here for Washington County. Hugo sits 1.4 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Saint Paul is the closest city, 16 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Washington County: bluegill, largemouth bass and brown trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Rice Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 12°F in January up to 72°F in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. At Rice Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Part of this sits inside or beside Paul Hugo Farms Wildlife Management Area, so read the notices. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Egg Lake is 1.2 miles distant. Signs at Rice Lake carry more weight than any list.