Big Rice Lake
About Big Rice Lake
Big Rice Lake is a 642-acre lake near Pennington in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 13 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2019.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Big Rice Lake
- 642 acres, up to 13 feet deep, near Pennington
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 6.2 feet
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 642 acres
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 633 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.
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2019
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Big Rice Lake
Compare Big Rice Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Little Rice Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington123 acres
1.3 miles away
Kitchi Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington1,865 acres
2.4 miles away
Pimushe Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington1,230 acres
2.6 miles away
Big Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji3,598 acres
3.6 miles away
Buck Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington360 acres
4.2 miles away
Moose Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington601 acres
4.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Big Rice Lake?
Big Rice Lake is in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Pennington. It covers 642 acres and reaches 13 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Big Rice Lake?
Big Rice Lake covers 642 acres with about 6.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 13 feet.
What fish can you catch at Big Rice Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Rice Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Big Rice Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Big 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 Big Rice Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Big Rice Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Big Rice Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
Does Big Rice Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Big Rice Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.