Rice Lake Fishing near Hayward, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Rice Lake lies in Washburn County, in Wisconsin. This is lake country bush ground. Roughly 93 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With about 2.0 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Hayward is the closest place, 20 miles off. Spooner is 21 miles and Little Round Lake 27 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Rice Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Washburn County: largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. The county list is broader than any single water. Rice Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 68°F and January reads 9°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about late November in a typical year. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Rice Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Gilmore Lake is 0.8 miles distant. The position on Rice Lake is worth confirming on the day.