Upper Rice Lake
About Upper Rice Lake
Upper Rice Lake is a 1,527-acre lake near Alida in Clearwater County, Minnesota. It reaches 13 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 6 feet, and has roughly 6 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Clearwater County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1995.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Upper Rice Lake
- 1,527 acres, up to 13 feet deep, near Alida
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,527 acres
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Average depth
- 6 ft
- Shoreline
- 6 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,527 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
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1995
- 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 Upper Rice Lake
Compare Upper Rice Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Minerva Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Alida230 acres
1.7 miles away
Mallard Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Mallard105 acres
6.6 miles away
Walker Brook Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Shevlin95 acres
6.7 miles away
LaSalle Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Becida238 acres
7.3 miles away
Moose Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Solway132 acres
7.5 miles away
Long Lake
80 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Lake Itasca159 acres
8.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Upper Rice Lake?
Upper Rice Lake is in Clearwater County, Minnesota, near Alida. It covers 1,527 acres and reaches 13 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Upper Rice Lake?
Upper Rice Lake covers 1,527 acres with about 6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 13 feet and its average depth is about 6 feet.
What fish can you catch at Upper Rice Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Upper Rice Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Upper Rice Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Upper 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 Upper Rice Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Upper Rice Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.