The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 4 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Rice Lake
Stearns County, Minnesota · about 1,320 acres (2.1 sq mi)
46°F water, calm this morning.
About Rice Lake
Rice Lake spreads over about 1,320 acres in Stearns County, Minnesota.
It stretches about 3.2 miles end to end with roughly 10.9 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,120 ft above sea level. Paynesville lies about 3.4 miles to the west. The closest city is Saint Cloud, about 24 miles away.
- Size
- About 1,320 acres (2.1 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 10.9 miles
- End to end
- About 3.2 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,120 ft
- County
- Stearns County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Expect the usual Minnesota mix for a lake this size: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 46°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- SlowLargemouth bass
Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.
- SlowSmallmouth bass
Cold. Slow presentations on deep rock.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
4 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:14 am · sunset 4:50 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Rice Lake
- Paynesvilleabout 3.4 mi west
- Eden Valleyabout 4.3 mi southeast
- Richmondabout 5.5 mi northeast
- Cold Springabout 8.7 mi northeast
- Saint Cloudnearest city, about 24 mi northeast
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Questions about Rice Lake
What fish are in Rice Lake?
Lakes like Rice Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Rice Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Rice Lake?
About 1,320 acres, with about 10.9 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Rice Lake?
Paynesville is about 3.4 miles west; Eden Valley is about 4.3 miles southeast.
What is the water temperature at Rice Lake today?
The surface was about 46°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Rice Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
