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Upper Rice Lake

Bear Creek · Minerva, Minnesota — Clearwater County.

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1,338Surface acres
1Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 121837219).

Location & fast facts

Where Upper Rice Lake is in Minnesota

The red circle marks Upper Rice Lake.

Fast facts

About Upper Rice Lake

  • County: Clearwater
  • Shore towns: Bear Creek, Minerva
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 193 mi from Minneapolis and 156 mi from Duluth, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in Minnesota

Official Minnesota DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Paddling. 1 public access site, no trailer ramp listed
  • Fishing. Northern pike, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed and Brown bullhead
  • Camping. 13 campgrounds within 15 mi (list)

Watch for

  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official lake survey (Minnesota DNR)

13 ftMaximum depth
6 ftAverage depth
1,527Acres (state figure)

Fish species found in Minnesota DNR lake surveys: Brown bullhead, Northern pike, Pumpkinseed, White sucker, Yellow perch.

Shallow (littoral) area: 1,527 of 1,527 acres

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources LakeFinder record for Upper Rice Lake (DOW 15005900), with lake survey reports, depth maps and stocking history. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.

Lake map

Upper Rice Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Upper Rice Lake (S) Public Water Access Site (Cartop / walk-in)11 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Cartop / walk-in
  1. 1Upper Rice Lake (S) Public Water Access Site
    Cartop / walk-in · Bear Creek

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 121837219), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Upper Rice Lake

We found 13 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Upper Rice Lake. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

7 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Minnesota

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (47.3952, -95.2925). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Upper Rice Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Upper Rice Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    1 public access site listed.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Upper Rice Lake (S) Public Water Access SiteBear CreekDNR Division of Parks and TrailsCarry-in (hand launch)4 car—Fishing, Boating47.3811, -95.2969

    Minnesota DNR public water access sites (Minnesota Geospatial Commons)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Upper Rice Lake

    How big is Upper Rice Lake?

    Upper Rice Lake covers about 1,338 acres in Bear Creek and Minerva, Minnesota (Clearwater County).

    How deep is Upper Rice Lake?

    The maximum recorded depth is 13 feet and the mean depth is 6 feet, according to the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder.

    What fish are in Upper Rice Lake?

    Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lists Northern pike, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Brown bullhead and White sucker.

    Is there a public boat launch on Upper Rice Lake?

    No trailer ramp is listed, but there is 1 public access site for car-top boats or shore access.

    Are there campgrounds near Upper Rice Lake?

    Yes. We list 13 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.

    What towns are on Upper Rice Lake?

    Upper Rice Lake touches Bear Creek and Minerva in Clearwater County, Minnesota.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Upper Rice Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Minnesota lakes & ponds · All waters in Bear Creek