Rice Lake North
Rice Lake North in Forest County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 60 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 6 ft. Surface area: 201 acres.
- Typical in July
- 80°F
- Max depth
- 6 ft
- Area
- 201 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Next lake in Forest County
Rice Lake North is a 201-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Forest County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 6 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. Compared to the 22 other monitored lakes in Forest County, Rice Lake North ranks #22 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Rice Lake North water quality
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 60 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 53.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 60 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.2 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Rice Lake North
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Rice Lake North in Forest County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Water Temperature
Rice Lake North typically sits around 80°F at the surface in July. Summer average is about 80°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 80°F) and coldest in Apr (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 13 field readings (2024–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Rice Lake North water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 6 ft |
| Surface Area | 201 acres |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Rice Lake North
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages.
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -3.3 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.25 µg/L/yr | 5 |
County Ranking
Ranked #22 of 23 lakes in Forest County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Rice Lake North holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Forest County
Frequently asked questions about Rice Lake North
What is the water quality grade for Rice Lake North?
- Rice Lake North in Forest County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 60 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 6 ft. Surface area: 201 acres.
Is Rice Lake North safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Rice Lake North has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Rice Lake North?
- Rice Lake North typically sits around 80°F at the surface in July, from 13 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Rice Lake North?
- Rice Lake North has a maximum depth of 6 feet. The lake covers 201 acres.
What fish are in Rice Lake North?
- Fish species found in Rice Lake North include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike. Rice Lake North is located in Forest County, Wisconsin.
Explore Rice Lake North across LakeGrade
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Where this data comes from
68 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Sokaogon Chippewa Community (Tribal)
SOKAOGON_WQX68 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 4500 P F ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry Automated Ascorbic Acid Method
- 200.7 M ~ ICP-AES For Trace Element Analysis
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes