Rice Lake

[Sanj]

Hi,

Has anyone been to Rice Lake (Gore's Landing area) recently? I was thinking of heading up there this weekend, and was wondering how it was going there. I am hoping for some walleye, and hopefully a musky!

Thanks!

[araret]

although I haven't been to gore's landing area, I've been to the northern Indian river area and to be honest, it was a weed-fest even in the beginning of summer!! the small boat we rented seriously got stuck every 10meters because the weeds would choke the motor. I don't know the conditions after a whole summer but I think it's probably even worse than before.

You can probably drop a jig when you find some clear, deeper water but I doubt you can troll since you won't have that much space before you run into the weeds again. Also, you might want to check the weather for this weekend cause its suppose to be raining.

[Clive]

Trolling will be your best bet for musky for sure! I havent fished Rice Lake, but I have fished other lakes nearby. A 10 inch Jake in black perch pattern has caught me a few big muskie late in the season.

[Sanj]

thanks guys!

i wasn't able to make it this past weekend. it was calling for rain, yet sunday morning in TO it was nice..oh well, maybe this weekend.

[Whopper]

Hey ST sorry I didn't see this before. I've been fishing Rice since 1978, next time you get ready to go I'll try to help.
I can't help with muskies cause I don't catch any (although I do fish for them) but I may be able to help with the bass and walleye. I learned to bass fish on Rice and it's one of my favorite bass lake to hit

araret the Indian River area can get pretty choked up with weeds, there is usually only one maybe two clear paths to get from the mouth of the river into the main lake and it you don't stay in those areas you will get stuck, I have a couple of times in my old bass boat, but if you fish the edges you'll find some fish.
I generally stay at Anglers Retreat not from from the Indian River and also close to Serpent Mounds Prov. park

[Sanj]

Hey ST sorry I didn't see this before. I've been fishing Rice since 1978, next time you get ready to go I'll try to help.
I can't help with muskies cause I don't catch any (although I do fish for them) but I may be able to help with the bass and walleye. I learned to bass fish on Rice and it's one of my favorite bass lake to hit

No prob, thanks for offering!

I hope to hit up Rice Lake 2 weekends from now...as mentioned i would be fishing out of Gore's Landing. Any info/help is greatly appreciated!!!

[Whopper]

I hope to hit up Rice Lake 2 weekends from now...as mentioned i would be fishing out of Gore's Landing. Any info/help is greatly appreciated!!!

I've never been there this late in the season, went one year in September and we did well fishing near the mouths of the Indian and Otanobee (?spelling) rivers and also around the Foleys, channel side of Sugar was also productive for us.
Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and do nothing worms was the ticket

[Sanj]

i keep reading about lakes 'turning over' and was wondering if anyone knows if Rice Lake has turned. Apparently it ruins fishing for a while. I have also read that the Rice Lake turnover is almost non-existent, and only a few days (if at all).

Any info is appreciated! I am thinking of heading there this weekend.

[Whopper]

i keep reading about lakes 'turning over' and was wondering if anyone knows if Rice Lake has turned. Apparently it ruins fishing for a while. I have also read that the Rice Lake turnover is almost non-existent, and only a few days (if at all).

Any info is appreciated! I am thinking of heading there this weekend.

ST I'm know expert but I think lake turn over fishing is worst on deeper lakes (and it takes awhile) Rice Lake is a real shallow lake and when it turns over it would stand to reason it wouldn't take that long. Biggest thing I would pay attention to is water temperature, nothing kills the fall bite faster than rapid temp drop in a short period of time. If that happens you would like to find warmer water just like you would in early spring and place with green weeds would even be a plus.

Good Luck if you go, it still beats sitting on the couch

[Sanj]

well, went this paqst sunday morning...just a few small perch..the fish finder was showing fish, but they weren't biting...prob due to the cold front.

the waves got pretty rough for a 14ft boat...