Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Rice Fishing Report


steeplechaser2

Recommended Posts

Happened to catch a "nice" 4 pound slimer and many small eyes out on Rice today in 15' of water....seemed to be a "day bite" as we happened to catch the walleyes, pike and perch before 5:00pm.....anyone had luck on the longer walleyes......we tried pulling on the heads and tails of these eyes to get them to 15" but remained about 3" too short grin.gifgrin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Keep moving around and you'll find those bigger eyes. If you're getting the little guys it's time to move. Eyes generally school by year class. So if you want bigger eyes you'll need to go looking for them. It also helps to get away from the crowds. The noise and pressure tend to push active fish out and the remaining fish are usually the little guys and the few nice ones left are very spooky.

I'm heading out in a little bit. I'll target crappies first and then chase a few eyes. We've been getting a few decent ones(15-22"). Most of these have also been before it gets totally dark.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

tossed back a limmit of eyes on Rice monday night, the smaller ones bit before dark and the bigger ones hit from just before dark till about 7:30. people started heading off during the best of it. equal on jigs or live bait

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Way to go. The nicer fish are definitely there. Helps to get away from the crowds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I made it out yesterday with my brother-in-law and it was a balmy -6 when we got there about 3:30 and -16 when we left at 7. We fished out of my portable. Brrrrrrr We ended up catching 4 walleyes, one keeper, and missed a bunch. They weren't very aggressive.

We noticed a lot of fishhouses at the crappie hole. They must be getting a few there.

Nels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was out on Rice Lake this weekend as well. Slow action, but caught some real decent sized eyes'. I ended up throwing back a 18-19" and lost several at the hole a bit bigger.

Not real aggressive, had to let the spoon sit still for a moement and then give it an ever so slight twitch and that got em' to bite. Caught a pike a little under 30"! Hopefully have pictures for you soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have never fished this lake but I have fished a lot of the lakes in the area this winter and haven't really had any luck, it's either shoulda been here yesterday, or shoulda been on the other side of the lake. sounds like people are having good luck on rice and I was wondering what area or depth you're picking up these walleye and pike, also is staying away from the crowds a big thing on this lake? Where do you access the lake from?

Thanks for any help!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was in 17'. It was so cold that once we set up we didn't move.

Capt. B.R.K.- Where you fishing in a portable or where you fortunate enough to be in an insulated fish house? You might have seen us Sat. night, we were in an orange and white dome style portable that stands out like a beacon at night. At least we didn't have to worry about our beer getting warm. How deep where you at?

Nels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

I don't know what depth or area BRK was in but I fish this lake reguarly for eyes and will try to help you out. Rice lake is known for eyes being shallow.

First off as far as accessing the lake there are 3 spots to come on in the winter. 1st is on the S end nearwhere the river flows in, not used as much in winter. 2nd is from Fishers resort, a private access but a good one it takes you to the 2 main crappie holes and is close to good walleye fishing. 3rd is the N end access off of hwy 23, this will take you to a area they call shaumans point a good location for eyes and crappies and probably is the most popular in the winter.

I usally never fish over 17 ft on Rice and prefer depths of 9-13 ft. Over the years the shallow water bite has been the most consistent for me. Yes you will get eyes deeper on this lake but I have found better numbers and size shallow.

Most of the bars and flats out there will produce fish. If you look at a lake map you will see the obvious places to start. These shallow biteing eyes are spooky. You will want to have your holes pre-drilled before prime time and keep the noise level to a minumum. I also am a strong beleiver in useing headlamps versus lanterns when fishing eyes in the shallows. I never fish in crowds or near a group. You will ice way more fish by staying away from the crowds and keeping thing's quiet.

Good luck on your search!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hey icehawk a buddy of mine just iced a 29" out of 6ft of water minus the ice thickness so they are shallow yet but the bite has slowed quite a bit lately.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually there was a picture of a fisherman in the last outdoornews that had a real nice eye' from Rice Lake.

Nells- I didn't see your hut. I need to sit back sometimes and enjoy the scenery- I get to caught up in staring at my hole grin.gif

I was off from the crappie/eyes spot that Ice Hawk talks about. IF you are on the lake, you can't miss the spot he is talking about. If you were to break the lake into 2 smaller lakes- where the 2 smaller lakes come together, there is a nice break (9-17')that should be concentrated on. I was actually away from that a little bit in less than 10' of water.

Take a look at the map like stated before and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Definately a lake I'd like to try my luck again!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Capt. B.R.K.- I think I saw you guys on the way out. There was a group of fishtraps together that I thought were fishing for Gills because of the location. Where you with that group?

I wonder how the morning bite is on Rice? I might have to try it this weekend if I can get my butt out of bed that early.

Nels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was off of the break- probably the group you are referring to. It was basically a mixed bag in that area. Bluegills, perch, pike and walleyes is what we caught.

I fished the morning and evening bites on the lake that weekend. Must have been this cold front as it didn't make for an aggressive bite. Evening was better for me than the morning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been thinking of trying that lake. Is there a night bite? Maybe next weekend. I'm going to the extravaganza on Sat, and MilleLacs on Sun. Hopefully I can catch something at that thing, and maybe be trading a new Ford on a Chev.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i fished today on rice from 2-6pm right off one of the points in about 13-15 fow. i looked at the map and found a hump and we tried fishing near that, a lot of people drove by us on the way out to the big cluster of houses, is that group where everyone is catching them, because we didn't have a single bite in the four hours we were there. might try again tomorrow if i know a little more about where to go.

thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.