Rice Lake Fishing
1,383 acres on the IFishIllinois page, a lake of Fulton County.
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First Illinois notes on Rice Lake
IDNR lists Rice Lake at 1,383 acres, a lake lying in Fulton County. From the IDNR pin it is around 3 miles to Banner.
1 boat ramp show on the IDNR boat ramp layer here. Read its digest entry before you keep fish.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
What IDNR says about Rice Lake
- Description (IDNR)The principal water bodies within the Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area are Rice Lake (1,400 acres), Big Lake (1,000 acres), Duck Island Main Lake (166 acres), Duck Island Little Lake (57 acres), Goose Lake, Slim Lake, and Beebe Lake. Rice Lake, Big Lake, Goose Lake, Slim Lake and Beebe Lake are shallow backwater lakes that are sustained primarily by groundwater seepage and overflow from the Illinois …
- More from IDNRBecause the Rice Lake SFWA is not separated from the Illinois River by a high levee, its fish populations fluctuate in composition, numbers, and condition as the area is alternately flooded and dewatered by river levels. The basin of Rice Lake and Big Lake are broad and dish-shaped, constraining the quality and quantity of year-round fish cover.
What IDNR says is available at Rice Lake
- Family FriendlyNo
- Handicap AccessNo
- Boat FishingYes – No hp limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingYes
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
We copied the Rice Lake entry from IFishIllinois without edits.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR rates the fishing at Rice Lake
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Poor | Largemouth Bass population was present at a very low density of fish up to 12 inches in length. |
| Channel Catfish | Average | Channel Catfish population was present at a low density of fish up to 26 inches in length. Present during flood events when fish enter from Big Lake and the Illinois River. |
| Crappie spp. | Poor | Black and white crappie populations were present in very low densities of fish up to 11 inches in length. |
| Black Bullhead | Poor | Brown, Black and Yellow Bullhead populations were present in very low densities of fish up to 14 inches long. |
| Bluegill | Poor | Bluegill population was present in a very low density of fish up to 7 inches in length and in very good body condition. |
Species for Rice Lake come only from IDNR pages and tables.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Survey history at Rice Lake
- IDNRThe 2021 and 2024 electrofishing surveys were able to be completed at several stations in Rice Lake, while the 2022 survey was restricted to the boat ramp ditch due to low water levels in the main lake basin. The 2021 and 2022 collections had a similar average diversity compared to the last 10 years with 24 species collected.
- The density of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black and Brown Bullhead populations are still very low. Water level does not appear to be the only factor for their population densities. Dramatic declines have been observed after low water years, which then surge after high water years. But this is not currently evident. The low water levels and late summer fish kills appear to have a direct effect on these …
- Due to the annual inundation of the Rice Lake Complex by the Illinois River, fish species management on this small scale is a difficult objective. The associated sedimentation, loss of lake water volume and loss of aquatic plants have all negatively impacted the sportfish habitat present in the Rice Lake Complex. The current fishery is also definitely hindered by the lack of deep water habitat for the winter …
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Backing a trailer into Rice Lake
- Rice Lake Boat Ramplaunch
Ramps to know near Rice Lake
- Spring Lake (South) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 3 miles southeast
- Spring Lake (North) Boat RampSpring Lake (South), 4 miles east
- Johnson Lake – Banner Marsh Boat Ramp on Lake 29 (Banner Marsh)Lake 29 (Banner Marsh), 6 miles northeast
- Skyranch Boat Ramp on Spring Lake (North)Spring Lake (North), 7 miles east
- Thompson Lake – Emiquon Boat RampThompson Lake (Emiquon), 11 miles southwest
- Double T Lake Boat RampDouble T Lake, 12 miles northwest
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Courtesy docks and cleaning houses around Rice Lake
- Rice Lake Boat Dockboat dock, near Rice Lake
The IDNR asset inventory of 2019 places these structures at Rice Lake; check on site before counting on them.
IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Contour maps published for Rice Lake
- Rice Lake SFWAIDNR depth map
IDNR has drawn 1 depth map of Rice Lake; the waterbody page carries them.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The rules on keeping fish at Rice Lake
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Unless the digest names Rice Lake for a species, the statewide row decides.
Local rules at Rice Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | Recreational Use Restrictions | Waterfowl Refuge or Hunting Area (12) All Fish Sport fishermen may harvest carp, buffalo, suckers and gar by bow and arrow or bow and arrow devices, gigs or spears from May 1 through August 31 |
| Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 12 inch Minimum Length Limit |
- Code 12It shall be unlawful to trespass upon a designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season, or to fish on such areas during the regular duck and Canada goose season except in areas posted as open to fishing. It shall be …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 50, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Rice Lake next to the lakes around it
The biggest neighbour here is Spring Lake (South), listed at 610 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Lake | 1,383 | 1 | Largemouth Bass | ||
| Big Lake (RLFWA) | 1 mile east | not printed | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
| Duck Island Main Lake (RLFWA) | 1 mile south | not printed | 24 | 0 | Channel Catfish |
| Spring Lake (South) | 3 miles east | 610 | 2 | ||
| Shovel Lake (Banner Marsh) | 3 miles northeast | not printed | 1 | Bluegill | |
| Banner Marsh Ponds | 6 miles northeast | not printed | 0 | Bluegill |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Rice Lake
More Illinois lakes within reach of Rice Lake
- Big Lake (RLFWA)1 mile east
- Duck Island Main Lake (RLFWA)1 mile south
- Spring Lake (South)3 miles east
- Shovel Lake (Banner Marsh)3 miles northeast
- Banner Marsh Ponds6 miles northeast
Tackle stops within a short drive of Rice Lake
- Tall Timbers Marinamarina, Havana, 14 miles
- J & J Riverside Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Pekin, 16 miles
- Presleys Outdoorssporting goods store, Bartonville, 18 miles
- Hosss Hawg Baitbait and tackle shop, Elmwood, 21 miles
- Bass Pro Shops East Peoriasporting goods store, East Peoria, 24 miles
Borrowing a rod near Rice Lake
- Havana Nature CenterHavana, 13 miles
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Rice Lake
- Canton8 miles
- Manito9 miles
- Lewistown13 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Rice Lake
- Fulton Countyseat: Lewistown
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Rice Lake
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Lakes and river bends close to Rice Lake, in pictures
Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Scott Tranchitella, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Denise Krebs, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
What gets asked about Rice Lake around Illinois
Is Rice Lake upstate, central or down in Little Egypt?
Search Fulton County, about 3 miles from Banner.
What acre figure does IFishIllinois print for Rice Lake?
1,383 acres, per IDNR.
Which launches on the IDNR map serve Rice Lake?
One launch is on the map: Rice Lake Boat Ramp.
How does IDNR grade the bass at Rice Lake?
First in the IDNR outlook: largemouth bass, poor; also present per IDNR are channel catfish, black bullhead and bluegill.
Does a digest length rule cover Rice Lake?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. A digest line for this water changes part of that; see the limits band.
Which IDNR paperwork comes before a day at Rice Lake?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where do shore anglers go at Rice Lake?
No pier is inventoried; the IDNR page notes Family Friendly No; Handicap Access No.
Where are crawlers sold on the way to Rice Lake?
Nearest in our shop file: Tall Timbers Marina, about 14 miles away,.
Save a Saturday for Rice Lake
Buy the Illinois license online before you leave.