Smallmouth Bass

Rice Lake, Minnesota, offers fantastic smallmouth bass fishing, particularly in the chain of lakes that make up the Rice Lake system. These lakes, connected by navigable channels, provide diverse habitat ranging from rocky shorelines and submerged timber to expansive weed flats. The smallmouth here are known for their aggressive strikes and spirited fights. Spring and fall are prime times, as the bass move shallow to spawn (spring) or fatten up before winter (fall). In the spring, target pre-spawn bass staging near rocky points and sandy flats adjacent to deeper water. During the summer, focus on deeper weed edges and submerged structure. A key to success on Rice Lake is paying attention to water clarity. If one lake is murky after a recent rain, try another in the chain that may be clearer. Public access is available at several boat launches around the lake, but be prepared for moderate boat traffic, especially on weekends.