---
type: lake
name: "Rice Lake"
county: "Rice"
nearest_town: "Shieldsville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 331
max_depth_ft: 6.7
latitude: 44.3301
longitude: -93.48396
lake_score: 29
dnr_lake_id: "66004800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/rice-lake
---

# Rice Lake

Lake in Rice County, Minnesota, near Shieldsville

- **Surface Area**: 331 acres
- **Max Depth**: 7 ft
- **Average Depth**: 3 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: No public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 29/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Rice Lake is a 331-acre lake near Shieldsville in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 7 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 3 feet, and has roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.8 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2015.

No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner.

## Access

- **Public access**: No public access on record
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: N/A

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2015
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing

## Amenities

None on record

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Hunt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/hunt-lake) - 1.9 miles, 176 acres
- [Caron Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/caron-lake) - 1.9 miles, 319 acres
- [Shields Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/shields-lake) - 3.5 miles, 940 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/cedar-lake) - 3.6 miles, 902 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/french-lake) - 4.6 miles, 876 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/horseshoe-lake) - 5.1 miles, 417 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.3301,-93.48396)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=66004800)
- [All lakes in Rice County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county)

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