---
type: lake
name: "Rice Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Brainerd"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 418
max_depth_ft: 25
latitude: 46.39888
longitude: -94.1649
lake_score: 52
dnr_lake_id: "18014500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/rice-lake
---

# Rice Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Brainerd

- **Surface Area**: 418 acres
- **Max Depth**: 25 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 52/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Rice Lake is a 418-acre lake near Brainerd in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.5 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city and county. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 12
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-14
- **Latest**: 2022-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Gilbert Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/gilbert-lake) - 1.6 miles, 357 acres
- [Wise Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/wise-lake) - 4.5 miles, 135 acres
- [North Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/north-long-lake) - 4.6 miles, 6,190 acres
- [Mollie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/mollie-lake) - 6.2 miles, 334 acres
- [Red Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/red-sand-lake) - 6.2 miles, 521 acres
- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/perch-lake) - 6.4 miles, 266 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.39888,-94.1649)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18014500)
- [All lakes in Crow Wing County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county)

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