Rice Lake Water Temperature
Rice Lake in Vilas County, Wisconsin averages about 75°F at the surface in summer — warmest in Jun (~77°F) and coldest in Apr (~55°F). These are typical values by month, not a live reading.
Typical water temperature by month
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 33 field readings (2024–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. Months with too few readings are left blank.
Is Rice Lake warm enough to swim?
Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Want more than temperature? Rice Lake scored C on water quality — clarity, algae, phosphorus, depth, fish species, and swimming safety, all on one report card.
Water temperatures at nearby Wisconsin lakes
Summer average ~75°F
Summer average ~71°F
Summer average ~71°F
Summer average ~73°F
Summer average ~74°F
Summer average ~70°F
Explore water temperatures
Where to stay near Rice Lake
Planning a swim or lake trip? Compare cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals near Rice Lake — live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rice Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Rice Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Rice Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature of Rice Lake?
Rice Lake has a typical summer surface temperature of about 75°F. It is usually warmest in June (around 77°F) and coldest in April (around 55°F). These are typical values by month from 33 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2025), not a live reading.
When is Rice Lake warmest?
Surface water at Rice Lake is typically warmest in June, reaching about 77°F. Lake surface temperature lags air temperature by several weeks, so the warmest water usually arrives in mid-to-late summer even though the hottest air can come earlier.
Is Rice Lake warm enough to swim?
At its typical summer peak of about 75°F, Rice Lake rates as "comfortable" for swimming. Pleasant for swimming — the range most people find enjoyable without a wetsuit.
Where does this Rice Lake water temperature data come from?
Every temperature on this page is a typical (climatological) value computed from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal — 33 readings from 1 monitoring station between 2024 and 2025. They describe what is typical for each month, not the temperature right now.
About this data
Water temperatures are a climatology — the typical value for each month, averaged from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. They tell you what to expect, not the temperature at this moment. Actual conditions vary with recent weather, depth, and time of day.