Rice Lake Area

Looking for a little help. Wife and I are heading to Rice Lake to visit our son on December 23. Plan on staying through the 26th and are looking for any ice fishing advice in the area. We did fish Rice Lake this summer for a week, but this is our son’s first winter there and our first ice trip there. Thanks for your help

I know they ice fish the Chetek chain quite a bit. Its south of Rice lake a little bit. Your best bet would be to ask your local bait shop or have your son ask around for some info. Its been a few years since i’ve been up there since my Grandfather passed away. We used to fish Rice lake and Montanis. I cant give you exact spots but maybe this will give you somewhere to start. Dan

Been getting alot of nice gills on the Chetek Chain… North Prairie and Ojaski. You could also head West on 8 to the lakes around Turtle Lake. Blake has been a good one for panfish and northern for me.

Rice Lake is FULL of panfish.. but getting bigger (7-8″ gills & 10+” crappies) fish can be difficult if you dont stay on the move. The entire south end – right off of Veterans boat landing all the way to the Narrows bridge – can be phenomenal for numbers/mixed size. Also the north end by the Bungalow resteraunt/bar always holds panfish, im sure there are shacks out there by now.

As said, the Chain can be great too. Bear lake can be great too, but that can be a tough lake if you dont know it well.

Also any bait shop will point you in the right direction!