Rice Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin · WBIC 1618600
Size
71 acres
Max depth
7 ft
DNR lake type
Complex, Warm, dark water color
Water clarity
4 ft
Low, measured Jun 2026
A warm-water lake type: the DNR groups it with lakes that warm up through summer. This describes the lake type in general, not this lake in particular.
Outline
Numbered dots are boat landings; tap one for directions. The list below has the same numbers. Drawn from the DNR's 24K hydrography (surveyed 1982), so the shape is approximate and a landing can sit a little off the shore. Open the DNR lake map.
Water clarity
4 ft Secchi depthLow
Last measured Jun 19, 2026. 88 readings on record, 2016 to 2026.
Typical summer clarity (June to September): 3 ft, low, from 75 readings (2016 to 2026).
Secchi depth is how far down a white disk stays visible. A bigger number means clearer water. Clear means a Secchi depth of 10 feet or more, moderate 5 to 10 feet, low under 5 feet.
Wisconsin DNR water monitoring (volunteer and staff), via the Water Quality Portal; station Rice Lake - Center. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
Water temperature
Last measured Jun 19, 2026, too long ago to show as the current temperature.
A typical year Modeled estimate
- Ice goes outabout Apr 21 (Apr 9 to Apr 26)
- Surface reaches 48°Fabout Apr 26 (Apr 18 to May 6)
- Surface reaches 64°Fabout May 22 (May 13 to May 26)
- June surface71°F, usually 69 to 72°F
- July surface76°F, usually 74 to 78°F
- August surface72°F, usually 70 to 73°F
Mixes regularly through the summer instead of forming a warm top layer.
A computer model of this lake's typical weather and water, built from 15 years, 2005 to 2019. Ranges show the middle half of years. The model was not calibrated against measured temperatures for this lake. It is an estimate, not a measurement.
Measured: Wisconsin DNR via the Water Quality Portal (checked Oct 23, 2026). Modeled: U.S. Geological Survey lake temperature data release (doi:10.5066/P9CA6XP8).
Today at the lake
Forecast: National Weather Service (no endorsement implied). Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated. The moon phase can be a day off.
Boat landings
- 1Rice Lake Carry-in AccessCarry-in access · Gravel surface · County
Directions
Wisconsin DNR public boat access sites. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
More lakes in Vilas County
- Frost Lake1.2 miles away
- Lotus Lake1.2 miles away
- Sunset Lake1.2 miles away
- Nelson Lake1.6 miles away
- Snipe Lake1.6 miles away
- Boot Lake1.7 miles away
Where this comes from
- Size, depth and lake typeWisconsin DNR lake classifications, checked Oct 23, 2026
- OutlineWisconsin DNR 24K hydrography, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Regulations linkWisconsin DNR fishing regulations (linked, not restated), checked Oct 23, 2026
- Boat landingsWisconsin DNR public boat access sites, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Water clarityWisconsin DNR water monitoring, via the Water Quality Portal, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Typical-year temperatureU.S. Geological Survey lake temperature model (modeled estimate), checked Oct 23, 2026
- VHS statusWisconsin DNR VHS status by watershed, checked Oct 24, 2026
See data sources for what each source covers, and about for how the numbers are matched to lakes.
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