---
type: lake
name: "Big Rice Lake"
county: "Beltrami"
nearest_town: "Pennington"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 642
max_depth_ft: 13
latitude: 47.52368
longitude: -94.54815
lake_score: 47
dnr_lake_id: "04003100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/big-rice-lake
---

# Big Rice Lake

Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Pennington

- **Surface Area**: 642 acres
- **Max Depth**: 13 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 47/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Public access on record
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2019
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

None on record

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/little-rice-lake) - 1.3 miles, 123 acres
- [Kitchi Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/kitchi-lake) - 2.4 miles, 1,865 acres
- [Pimushe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/pimushe-lake) - 2.6 miles, 1,230 acres
- [Big Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/big-lake) - 3.6 miles, 3,598 acres
- [Buck Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/buck-lake) - 4.2 miles, 360 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/moose-lake) - 4.3 miles, 601 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.52368,-94.54815)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=04003100)
- [All lakes in Beltrami County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/big-rice-lake)*