Ice report Rice Lake, WI area

Heading to Rice Lake, WI area Saturday for a few days with grandkids and ice fishing. Anybody know what ice conditions are like? Thanks Todd

I passed through there last week and checked some lakes and the slush and snow had it looking tough. I heard it is clearing up somewhat now. Give 4:19 bait a call (715) 475-1211. They should be up to date on the current conditions.

Haven’t been on Rice but in general this area hasn’t been great. Was on the chetek chain 2 weeks ago on 3 inches with no snow. Shortly after we received about 8 inches of snow. Heard last weekend 4 to 5 inches of ice with about 5 inches of frozen slush on top.

It’s getting there but the ice we have this year is not the best, most solid ice we always hope for.

Rice Lake is NW of Shawano WI. Shawano Lake has 9 inches of ice. You may also want to call a local baitshop for a better report. Good luck.

Sylvanboat wrote:

Rice Lake is NW of Shawano WI. Shawano Lake has 9 inches of ice. You may also want to call a local baitshop for a better report. Good luck.

This Rice Lake may be in NW WI, but I could be wrong…

Mark

I’m betting there are multiple Rice Lakes in WI.

My assumption was Rice Lake area meant the area about 45 minutes north of Eau Claire and 20 minutes South of Spooner.

Either way much of WI has junk ice this year lol.

curleytail wrote:

I’m betting there are multiple Rice Lakes in WI.

My assumption was Rice Lake area meant the area about 45 minutes north of Eau Claire and 20 minutes South of Spooner.

Either way much of WI has junk ice this year lol.

Yup.
Northern 1/3 of WI is Fubar

curleytail wrote:

I’m betting there are multiple Rice Lakes in WI.

My assumption was Rice Lake area meant the area about 45 minutes north of Eau Claire and 20 minutes South of Spooner.

Either way much of WI has junk ice this year lol.

Yes north of Eau Claire.

I was out on two lakes this weekend 30 mi. straight west of Rice Lake and the slush has hardened up with a pretty thick layer. There is still some water under the crust. Walking was easy with 4-6″ of snow on top. I had 5-6″ on the two smaller lakes that I fished. Bite was OK.

Finding that it’s very lake dependent this year. Was on Lake Wissota Friday and found great ice conditions. Was on the Chetek Chain Saturday and had good solid ice part way out then towards the middle of the lake had quite a bit of slush to the point it was mostly just water, about 4 or 5 inches deep. Area with no slush was probably 6 or 7 inches of ice. The edge of the slush was around 4.

troutbum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>curleytail wrote:</div>
I’m betting there are multiple Rice Lakes in WI.

My assumption was Rice Lake area meant the area about 45 minutes north of Eau Claire and 20 minutes South of Spooner.

Either way much of WI has junk ice this year lol.

Yup.
Northern 1/3 of WI is Fubar

I’m in Oneida county to be East, and I have to agree. Everything north of Hwy 64 is extremely lake specific. Many or most of the lakes south of us actually have better ice right now due to being open when the snows came.
I checked a favorite lake yesterday, had a full 12” near-shore in a shallow bay, less than 4” near a mid-lake hump I frequent.