Rice Lake

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Size

41ac

Boat Launch

Carry-in Launch

Toilet

Boat Dock

Overview

The deep main channel, island and side channels offer top smallmouth action. Walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass are also around. Muskie are caught near the mouth of the Apple River. Underfished! 29 river miles.

Rice Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length is 15”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3
Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Bluegill: See Panfish.
Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
Channel catfish: See Catfish.
Crappies: See Panfish.
Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.

Features

This stretch of the St. Croix River is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, which is managed by the National Park Service, Wisconsin and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Northern States Power Company. The Dalles of the St. Croix, located in Interstate State Park, is noted for its spectacular rock cliffs and rugged scenery. Boat tours of the Dalles and other scenic attractions are available at Interstate State Park near Taylors Falls, Minnesota. The state parks offers campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas and swimming beaches. Primitive campsites are also available along the shoreline and on islands. The Arcola Sandbar is located near the Apple River inlet. Navigation over this shallow sandbar can be extremely difficult during most of the year. The St. Croix River is a very popular boating area and because of that reputation, boat traffic can be very heavy. Special regulations are enforced to improve safety ad to make boating more enjoyable. A special “slow speed zone” extends from Taylors Falls downstream to the Arcola Sandbar. Slow speed is defined as: “a leisurely speed, less than planing speed, whereby the wake or wash created by the motorboat is minimal.” Several “slow-no-wake zones” have been marked at the High Bridge Bed (0.4 mile downstream of the Arcola Railroad Bridge) and in West Channel Narrows (1 1/4 miles upstream of Boomsite Wayside). The slow-no-wake regulation also applies to any area within 100 feet of all shorelines (including islands), and within 100 feet of all swimmers. Slow-no-wake is defined as “the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage.” The St. Croix River forms part of the Minnesota and Wisconsin state border and as a result anglers must be aware of fishing regulations in both states. Anglers must posses a license from one of the states and must posses a license from the state of residences (if residing from Wisconsin or Minnesota). Anglers crossing the imaginary state line must obey the regulations that are more stringent. Wisconsin and Minnesota both have fish consumption advisories for the St. Croix River. Minnesota’s list is more extensive listing all species, except panfish. Wisconsin has advisories for the following species: walleye, sauger, white bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, common carp and buffalo. Check each state’s consumption advisory publications for more details.

Forage

A rich forage base is present, with gizzard shad being the most abundant. Redhorse sucker, common carp, freshwater drum, golden shiner, and common shiner are among the important food sources for gamefish.

Seasonal Movements

Walleye and sauger move upstream from the Mississippi River to spawn near Taylors Falls and Osceola. Spawning northern pike move into the Apple River inlet before ice-out. In early summer, many large northern and muskie move toward shoreline areas that contain springs and cold water inlets. White bass also make spring movements upstream into inlet areas. After spawning, white bass begin a slow downstream movement towards the lower portion of the St. Croix River.