Rice Lake
About Rice Lake
Rice Lake is a 3,684-acre lake near Thor in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 5 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.5 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 67 Aitkin County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner.
Plan Your Visit to Rice Lake
- 3,684 acres, up to 5 feet deep, near Thor
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 3,684 acres
- Max depth
- 5 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 3,699 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 7
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Rice Lake
Compare Rice Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Dam Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin598 acres
4.4 miles away
Portage Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Kimberly372 acres
5.6 miles away
Long Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen435 acres
5.9 miles away
Swamp Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen272 acres
6.6 miles away
Turner Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor63 acres
7 miles away
Rock Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor341 acres
8.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rice Lake?
Rice Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Thor. It covers 3,684 acres and reaches 5 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Rice Lake?
Rice Lake covers 3,684 acres with about 10.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 5 feet.
What fish can you catch at Rice Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Rice Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Rice Lake.
Can you swim at Rice Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Rice Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Rice Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Rice Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.