---
type: lake
name: "Shields Lake"
county: "Rice"
nearest_town: "Shieldsville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 940
max_depth_ft: 42
latitude: 44.3697
longitude: -93.44125
lake_score: 59
dnr_lake_id: "66005500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/shields-lake
---

# Shields Lake

Lake in Rice County, Minnesota, near Shieldsville

- **Surface Area**: 940 acres
- **Max Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 59/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- McCullough Park Campground

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 5
- **Years of record**: 132
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-01
- **Latest**: 2018-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [Mazaska Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/mazaska-lake) - 2.3 miles, 688 acres
- [Hunt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/hunt-lake) - 2.6 miles, 176 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/french-lake) - 3.2 miles, 876 acres
- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/rice-lake) - 3.5 miles, 331 acres
- [Dudley Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/dudley-lake) - 4 miles, 128 acres
- [Caron Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/caron-lake) - 4.8 miles, 319 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.3697,-93.44125)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=66005500)
- [All lakes in Rice County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county)

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