Shields Lake
About Shields Lake
Shields Lake is a 940-acre lake near Shieldsville in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 17 Rice County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.8 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 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 2023.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. McCullough Park Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 5, based on 132 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Shields Lake
- 940 acres, up to 42 feet deep, near Shieldsville
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 2.8 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at McCullough Park Campground
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 940 acres
- Max depth
- 42 ft
- Shoreline
- 9 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 658 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 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: McCullough Park Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 17
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 5
- Years of record
- 132
- Earliest
- March 1, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 26, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
McCullough Park Campground is mapped on or near Shields Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Shields Lake
Compare Shields Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Shields Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Shields Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Shields Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Shields Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Mazaska Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville688 acres
2.3 miles away
Hunt Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville176 acres
2.6 miles away
French Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault876 acres
3.2 miles away
Rice Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville331 acres
3.5 miles away
Dudley Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault128 acres
4 miles away
Caron Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Kilkenny319 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shields Lake?
Shields Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Shieldsville. It covers 940 acres and reaches 42 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Shields Lake?
Shields Lake covers 940 acres with about 9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 42 feet.
What fish can you catch at Shields Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and White Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Shields Lake?
Yes. Shields Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Shields Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Shields 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 Shields Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Shields Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Shields Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Shields Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 5, from 132 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2018.
Can you camp at Shields Lake?
Yes. McCullough Park Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Shields Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Shields Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.