Little Rice Lake
Beltrami County, MinnesotaMesotrophic
Little Rice Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including black crappie,brown bullhead,northern pike,walleye,white sucker,yellow bullhead,yellow perch. Compared to the 91 other monitored lakes in Beltrami County, Little Rice Lake ranks #72 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-10-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 7.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 7.4 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Little Rice Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Little Rice Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Little Rice Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.08 m/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #72 of 92 lakes in Beltrami County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Little Rice Lake holds Grade B. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ACass LakeBeltrami County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ABuck LakeBeltrami County · mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- BKitchi West Arm LakeBeltrami County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
- BPug Hole LakeBeltrami County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
- BBullhead LakeBeltrami County · mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Beltrami County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Little Rice Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-10-15
Monitoring stations: 1