Little Rice Lake
About Little Rice Lake
Little Rice Lake is a 123-acre lake near Pennington in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, and yellow perch. 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 Little Rice Lake
- 123 acres, up to 26 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, black crappie, and yellow perch
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- 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
- 123 acres
- Max depth
- 26 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 83 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
- 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 4
- 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 Little Rice Lake
Compare Little Rice Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Kitchi Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington1,865 acres
1.2 miles away
Big Rice Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington642 acres
1.3 miles away
Buck Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington360 acres
3.2 miles away
Pimushe Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington1,230 acres
3.6 miles away
Big Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji3,598 acres
4 miles away
Moose Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Pennington601 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Rice Lake?
Little Rice Lake is in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Pennington. It covers 123 acres and reaches 26 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Rice Lake?
Little Rice Lake covers 123 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 26 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Rice Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Rice Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Little Rice Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little 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 Little Rice Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Rice Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Little Rice Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
Does Little Rice Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Little 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.