Minnesota · DNR survey data
Rice Lake
Rice Lake covers 266 acres in Faribault County, running to 4 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2011. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeStocked · 2025Good numbers12.3per gill net20"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2011Lengths measured · 40 fish
2011Lengths measured · 5 fish
2006Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2003Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillJust a few14per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2011Lengths measured · 49 fish
2011Lengths measured · 552 fish
2006Lengths measured · 113 fish
2003CrappieJust a few2.3per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 30 fish
Recent · 2011Lengths measured · 30 fish
2011Lengths measured · 139 fish
2006Lengths measured · 22 fish
2003Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Northern Pike | 13,300 fry |
| 2019 | Northern Pike | 69,500 fry |
| 2016 | Northern Pike | 44,940 fry |
Recent reports
Rice Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Rice Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Rice Lake, Wells (trailer launch)
- Rice Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Morin Lake · 21 ac · 8.1 mi
- Freeborn Lake · 2,034 ac · 10.7 mi
- Bear Lake · 1,033 ac · 13.4 mi
- State Line Lake · 372 ac · 15.9 mi
- White Lake · 168 ac · 16.2 mi
- Pickeral Lake · 588 ac · 16.3 mi
- Fountain Lake · 522 ac · 17.7 mi
- Bass Lake · 199 ac · 21.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Rice Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Rice Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Rice Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2011) recorded northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does Rice Lake have a public access?
Yes. Rice Lake has 2 public access sites, including Rice Lake, Wells (trailer launch).
Is Rice Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked northern pike in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Rice Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Rice Lake in 2011, the most recent of 4 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .