Rice Lake

On the LakeGrade scale Rice Lake grades a B, with clarity readings still being added and 22 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median.

The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. Rice Lake is a shallow lake at 6 ft maximum depth, which means it warms quickly, mixes constantly, and amplifies nutrient inputs. The lake's 201 acres and partial shoreline records put it in the mid-range bucket — large enough for varied use, small enough that watershed inputs reach the whole basin. Among the 34 graded lakes in Forest County, Rice Lake sits at rank 14, above the county median.

Rice Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery is bass-led, with 3 documented species across the lake's records. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.