Little Rice Lake, Forest County Fishing
A 1,201-acre Wisconsin flowage in Forest County, down to 10 feet.
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Little Rice Lake, Forest County by the numbers
In Forest County, Little Rice Lake, Forest County spreads over 1,201 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 10 feet. Crandon lies about 5 miles from the lake. It is a Northern Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a simple cool dark lake.
The WDNR designated waters layer marks it as an Outstanding Resource Water. It lies in the ceded territory, where the walleye bag is three on each water. The DNR fish list names northern pike, panfish and largemouth bass. There are 2 public boat landings on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 7.5 feet.
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Each species group in Little Rice Lake, Forest County carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
How the DNR describes the Little Rice Lake, Forest County fishery
“Simple cool clear lakes can have good action for black crappie and northern pike, moderate action for yellow perch, and rarely have any walleye or muskellunge”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Little Rice Lake, Forest County
- Little Rice Lake – East Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, public
- Little Rice Lake – South Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, public
Boat landings close to Little Rice Lake, Forest County
- Peshtigo Lake AccessPeshtigo Lake, 5 miles east
- Metonga Lake – North AccessMetonga Lake, 5 miles southeast
- Metonga Lake – East AccessMetonga Lake, 6 miles southeast
- Pine Lake Access – Nicolet ForestPine Lake, 6 miles north
- Pine Lake Access near CrandonPine Lake, 7 miles north
- Metonga Lake – South AccessMetonga Lake, 7 miles southeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Little Rice Lake, Forest County
The DNR bottom survey for Little Rice Lake, Forest County lists 20% sand, 7% gravel, 3% rock, 70% muck.
WDNR types Little Rice Lake, Forest County as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Little Rice Lake, Forest County: chinese mystery snail. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Fishing regulations for Little Rice Lake, Forest County
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Little Rice Lake, Forest County.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
Every species on Little Rice Lake, Forest County also falls under this note: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
From the Forest County section of the guide: Forest County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). With the exceptions below, Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
For pike Little Rice Lake, Forest County is north of Hwy 10, and the Northern Bass Zone sets its bass dates.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Lakes near Little Rice Lake, Forest County compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rice Lake, Forest County | 1,201 | 10 | 2 | simple cool dark | |
| Whiteye Lake | under a mile south | 74 | 13 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Clear Lake, Forest County | 4 miles east | 71 | 11 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Atkins Lake, Forest County | 5 miles northwest | 150 | 3 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Peshtigo Lake | 5 miles east | 147 | 4 | 1 | simple cool dark |
| Metonga Lake | 6 miles southeast | 2,038 | 79 | 3 | complex cool clear |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Little Rice Lake, Forest County
Lakes next door to Little Rice Lake, Forest County
- Whiteye Lakeunder a mile south
- Clear Lake, Forest County4 miles east
- Atkins Lake, Forest County5 miles northwest
- Peshtigo Lake5 miles east
- Metonga Lake6 miles southeast
Minnows and tackle close to Little Rice Lake, Forest County
- Tamarack Outfitters LLCsporting goods store, Crandon, 5 miles
- Patriot Baits And Jigsbait and tackle shop, Three Lakes, 16 miles
- Marina Onemarina, Summit Lake, 18 miles
- Fishing Holebait and tackle shop, Rhinelander, 18 miles
- L And M Fleet Supply, 2200 Lincoln Streetfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 19 miles
- Walmart Rhinelanderfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 19 miles
Towns within reach of Little Rice Lake, Forest County
- Crandon5 miles
- Argonne7 miles
- Mole Lake7 miles
Little Rice Lake, Forest County by county
- Forest Countyseat: Crandon
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Little Rice Lake, Forest County
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Know the fish of Little Rice Lake, Forest County
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Scott Harden, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Little Rice Lake, Forest County: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Little Rice Lake, Forest County in?
Look in Forest County, WDNR Northern Region, about 5 miles from Crandon.
How many acres does the WDNR give Little Rice Lake, Forest County?
1,201 acres of water and 10 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Little Rice Lake, Forest County at a public landing?
2 mapped landings, led by Little Rice Lake – East Access.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Little Rice Lake, Forest County?
On file: northern pike (common), panfish (common) and largemouth bass (present).
What size limits apply on Little Rice Lake, Forest County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Little Rice Lake, Forest County?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
How clear does the water in Little Rice Lake, Forest County run?
Satellite clarity about 7.5 feet (2017). Bottom: 20% sand, 7% gravel, 3% rock, 70% muck. WDNR class: simple cool dark. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Little Rice Lake, Forest County?
Tamarack Outfitters LLC is about 5 miles from the lake.
Which invasives are in Little Rice Lake, Forest County?
chinese mystery snail, per the WDNR.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Little Rice Lake, Forest County
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.