Rice Lake Bass, Walleye & Musky: Complete Fishing + Boating Guide

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 Fish Are in Rice Lake, Ontario?

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.

Do You Need a Fishing Licence to Fish Rice Lake, Ontario?

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 Are the Best Spots 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.

What Do You Need to Know About Boating on 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.

Where Can You Rent a Boat on Rice Lake If You’re Not Staying 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.

What Are the Water Safety Rules on Rice Lake, Ontario?

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.

What Is Fishing Like Off the Cottage Dock at Mildred’s on Rice Lake?

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.

Where Can You Buy Bait and Tackle Near Rice Lake?

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 Is the Best Time to Fish Rice Lake?

• 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.

What Are the Ontario Fishing Regulations for Rice Lake in 2025/2026?

Rice Lake falls within Fisheries Management Zone 17 (FMZ 17). These are the current regulations for the species you’re most likely to target.

Species	Open Season	Daily Limit	Possession Limit	Minimum Size
Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass	Last Saturday of June – Nov 30	6 (combined)	12	None
Walleye	Last Saturday of April – Mar 31	4	8	None
Northern Pike	Jan 1 – Mar 31, May 1 – Dec 31	4	8	None
Muskellunge (Musky)	July 4 – Nov 30	1	2	97.5 cm (approx 38 in)
Yellow Perch	Open year-round	50	100	None
Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish	Open year-round	30 (combined)	60	None

Always verify current regulations at ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary before your trip — seasons and limits occasionally change between years.

What Is the Seasonal Fishing Calendar for Rice Lake, Ontario?

Timing your trip around the species you want makes a real difference on Rice Lake.

• Late April – May: Walleye season opens on the last Saturday of April. Cool, clear water keeps fish active. Excellent early-season fishing before summer crowds arrive.
• Late June – July: Bass season opens the last Saturday of June. Post-spawn bass are aggressive and territorial. Topwater lures at dawn produce explosive hits. Musky season opens July 4.
• August: Peak summer. Largemouth bass in weed beds, smallmouth on rock points and drop-offs. Warm midday surface temps push fish deeper — fish early morning and after 6 PM.
• September – October: The best-kept secret window on Rice Lake. Bass and walleye feed aggressively before winter. Fewer boats, cooler air, no bugs. Experienced anglers plan their trips for fall.
• January – March: Ice fishing for pike, walleye, and perch. Typical ice season starts mid-January depending on thickness. Minimum 10 cm for walking, 15 cm for snowmobiles. Check local reports before heading out.

How Do You Get an Ontario Fishing Licence for Rice Lake?

The whole process takes about five minutes online. Don’t wait until you’re at the cottage.

1. Get an Outdoors Card if you don’t already have one. Apply at ontario.ca/page/get-outdoors-card. It’s a one-time card you renew annually.
2. Buy your fishing licence at ontario.ca/page/get-outdoors-card-and-licence-summary. Options: Sport Licence (full limits), Conservation Licence (reduced limits, lower cost), or short-stay licences for visitors — 1-day and 8-day.
3. Print or save the confirmation on your phone. Conservation officers accept digital proof.
4. Arrive ready to fish. No waiting in line at a bait shop.

Current rates for Ontario residents: approximately $40 for an annual Sport licence. Non-resident short-stay options: around $14 for a 1-day licence, $36 for 8 days. Check current fees at ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-ontario-residents.

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.

Rice Lake Boat Rental at Bellmere Winds: What Mildred’s Guests Can Access

If you’re staying at Mildred’s and want to cover more of the lake than a kayak allows, motorized boat rental is available as a paid add-on through Bellmere Winds Resort. Half-day and full-day options are both typically on offer — ask at the resort front desk when you arrive to confirm rates and availability for your dates.

A motorized boat changes what’s possible for fishing Rice Lake, Ontario. The lake stretches 33 kilometres with more than a dozen islands, bays, and channel drop-offs that simply can’t be reached by paddle in a single outing. The mid-lake walleye zones, the Indian River channel at the east end, the rocky south-shore shelves — all of these are boat-access territory. If fishing Rice Lake, Ontario is the main goal of the trip, one full day with a motorized boat will reach more of the lake’s productive spots than a whole week from the dock alone.

For a half-day Rice Lake boat rental, morning is the best window — the water is calmest before midday and bass and walleye are most active in the early hours. For a full-day Rice Lake boat rental, plan a route: head east toward the Indian River channel for walleye, north toward Harris Island for bass, and return along the south shoreline for pike and musky. Pack lunch and a cooler and you don’t need to come back until you’re ready.

Rates vary by season. Contact Bellmere Winds directly or ask through Great Blue Cottage Rentals when booking your stay to check current boat rental pricing and availability.

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Planning your trip timing? May is one of the best-kept secrets on Rice Lake. Victoria Day long weekend on Rice Lake covers why the May long weekend beats July for first-time Kawarthas visitors — smaller crowds, same water, lower rates.

Before you head out on the water, make sure you have what you actually need. The Rice Lake cottage packing list covers the 10 essentials guests most often wish they’d brought — fishing gear, sun protection, and a few things specific to the Kawarthas climate.

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Related: Kawarthas Lakefront Cottage Rentals: What Makes a Property Worth Booking

Visiting for Father’s Day weekend? Bellmere Winds runs a beach fishing derby that Saturday — see our Father’s Day weekend guide for Rice Lake for the full lineup of on-site events.

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