Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area park
Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
One of the main attractions of Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area is its birdwatching opportunities. The area is home to over 300 species of birds, including bald eagles, great blue herons, and sandhill cranes. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching from several designated observation points throughout the preserve.
Another popular activity at Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area is fishing. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Fishing is allowed from the shore or by boat, and there are several boat launches located throughout the area.
In addition to birdwatching and fishing, Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area also has several hiking trails for visitors to explore. These trails offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape and provide an opportunity to observe the area's wildlife up close.
Interesting facts about Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area include its history as a former rice paddy and its designation as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. The area is also home to several endangered and threatened species, including the Blanding's turtle and the Henslow's sparrow.
The best time of year to visit Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area depends on the activity you are interested in. Birdwatching is best in the spring and fall, while fishing is good year-round. Hiking is ideal in the summer and fall when the weather is mild.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Country 11 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Back Country 10 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Rice Lake State Conservation Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Back Country 7 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Back Country 9 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Back Country 12 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
What can I do at Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Rice Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area.