TL;DRRice Lake fishing and boating guide — bass, walleye, pike, panfish. Free canoes/kayaks at Bellmere Winds; motorized boats available as paid resort...
Rice Lake is one of the better-kept fishing secrets in southern Ontario. It doesn’t get the magazine coverage that the Muskokas do, but anglers who know the lake will tell you it produces. And it’s only ninety minutes from Toronto.
If you’re staying at a cottage on Rice Lake and want to actually use the water — fishing or otherwise — here’s what to know.
What’s in the lake
The short list: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, musky, northern pike, perch, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, carp.
Smallmouth bass are the headline. Tournament-caliber fish in the four to five pound range get caught here regularly. The lake hosts competitive bass tournaments most years.
Largemouth bass also abundant, especially in the weed beds and around docks.
Walleye populations are healthy. Best at dawn and dusk in deeper water and along drop-offs.
Musky are present but require patience — the “fish of 10,000 casts” reputation is real, but the trophies are real too.
Northern pike are essentially smaller, easier-to-catch musky. Plenty around.
Panfish (perch, crappie, bluegill, sunfish) are everywhere. Great for kids — guaranteed bites within minutes off any dock.
Carp — Rice Lake carp are legendary among European anglers. Some travel here specifically to fish them. Twenty-pound-plus fish on the line are not unusual.
Licences
If you’re between 18 and 64, you need a valid Ontario Outdoors Card plus a Sport or Conservation Fishing Licence to fish in Ontario.
- Ontario residents: about $40 for a one-year licence (check current rates at ontario.ca)
- Non-residents: more expensive, but one-day and 8-day passes are available
- Under 18 or 65+: licence-free in most cases, but you still follow regulations
Buy online before you arrive, or pick one up at any local bait shop or Canadian Tire. Don’t fish without one — conservation officers do check.
Where to fish on Rice Lake
A few spots that consistently produce:
Harris Island weed beds. Mid-lake, surrounding the island. Largemouth bass paradise in July and August.
The Indian River channel. East end of the lake, where the river enters. Flowing water concentrates walleye and bass.
Rock shelves on the south shore. Smallmouth bass hold up here, especially in spring and fall.
Off the Bellmere Winds dock. Honestly. The water off the resort dock holds panfish year-round and produces bass and pike for guests who fish off it casually. If you’re at Mildred’s and bring kids, you don’t need to leave the property.
Wherever you see birds working. Diving cormorants, ospreys hovering, gulls in clusters — that means baitfish, which means gamefish underneath.
Boating Rice Lake
Beyond fishing, Rice Lake is genuinely good for cruising and water sports. It’s big — a hundred square kilometres — and most of it’s calm.
For families: The free use of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs at Mildred’s is included with your stay. It’s the right size for a slow shoreline cruise, taking kids out for an hour, or fishing at a quiet spot.
For waterskiing or tubing: The main open-water section is wide enough and long enough. Best in the morning before wind picks up.
For sailing: Rice Lake is known among small-boat sailors for steady afternoon breezes. If you have a small sailboat or want to rent one elsewhere on the lake, it’s good water.
For Trent–Severn locking: Ambitious. You can lock through to Peterborough or in the other direction toward Lake Ontario. Plan a full day.
Boat rental options if you’re not at Mildred’s
If you’re staying somewhere else on Rice Lake, boat rental is available at:
- Elmhirst’s Resort — full-service marina, fishing boats and pontoon rentals
- Bewdley Marina — older operation but reliable
- Riverside Park in Campbellford if you’re heading down the Trent
Book ahead in peak season. Rates run $200-400/day depending on boat size.
Safety on the water
The non-negotiables:
- Life jackets. One per person on board, accessible. Kids under 12 should be wearing them.
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Anyone operating a powered boat in Canada needs one. One-time test online, ~$50, good for life.
- Speed zones. Slow zones near docks and shorelines. Watch for signs and use common sense.
- Alcohol. Same rules as driving. Don’t.
- Weather awareness. Rice Lake gets rough fast when wind picks up from the west. If you see a storm forming, head back.
Fishing off the cottage dock
If you’d rather not boat at all, the dock at Mildred’s is productive on its own. A typical morning produces panfish, smaller bass, and the occasional pike. Easy setup, no Pleasure Craft licence needed, kids fish in safety.
Bait and tackle nearby
Two reliable spots:
- Elmhirst’s General Store in Keene, fifteen minutes away. Live bait (minnows, worms, leeches), tackle, fishing licences.
- Bewdley Bait & Tackle, twenty minutes away. Older shop, well-stocked for the lake.
Both stock the lures that work on Rice Lake — local knowledge that’s worth picking up.
When to fish
- May–June. Walleye peak. Cool water, active fish, long days.
- July–August. Bass peak. Topwater hits at dawn. Largemouth in the weeds.
- September–October. Less pressure, still productive for bass and walleye. Best time of year for serious anglers.
- Winter. Ice fishing is popular but check ice conditions carefully. Local knowledge matters.
Book a fishing weekend
Mildred’s Lakefront Resort Cottage at Bellmere Winds sleeps six, has its own dock with productive water off the end, and includes free use of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. Three bedrooms, full kitchen, ninety minutes from Toronto.
Check availability for your dates.
Ready to book?
Mildred's Lakefront Resort Cottage at Bellmere Winds — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6, direct waterfront access, free canoes/kayaks/SUPs, 90 min from Toronto.