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Shields Lake vs Cannon Lake

Two of the top-scoring lakes in Rice County, Minnesota, side by side.

Cannon Lake is the larger of the two at 1,593 acres against 940 for Shields Lake. On our rankings, Cannon Lake comes out ahead for fishing, Shields Lake comes out ahead for boating, Shields Lake comes out ahead for camping, Shields Lake comes out ahead for paddling, and Cannon Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.

MeasureShields LakeCannon Lake
Lake Score59 / 10056 / 100
Nearest townShieldsvilleFaribault
Surface area940 acres1,593 acres
Max depth42 ft15 ft
Shoreline9 mi12 mi
Water clarity2.8 ft1.6 ft
Public access2 public boat launches (concrete)1 public boat launch (asphalt)
Fish species1718
Game fishWalleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, BluegillWalleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill
StockedYesYes
Special regulationsYesNo
Swim beachNoNo
CampingYesYes
Invasive speciesEurasian watermilfoilflowering rush

Which lake is better for…

  • Fishing
    Cannon Lake
  • Boating
    Shields Lake
  • Camping
    Shields Lake
  • Paddling
    Shields Lake
  • Ice Fishing
    Cannon Lake

The lakes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, Shields Lake or Cannon Lake?

Cannon Lake is bigger at 1,593 acres; Shields Lake covers 940 acres.

Which is deeper, Shields Lake or Cannon Lake?

Shields Lake is deeper, with a maximum depth of 42 feet against 15 feet.

Is Shields Lake or Cannon Lake better for fishing?

Cannon Lake ranks higher for fishing in this directory, based on game species, lake size, access and stocking. Shields Lake lists 17 species and Cannon Lake lists 18.