Wild Rice Lake Reservoir

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 2
Species: 9

Wild Rice Lake Reservoir is a 2,590-acre impoundment located in St. Louis County, Minnesota. This shallow reservoir, with a maximum depth of just 11 feet, is part of Minnesota Power's hydroelectric project on the St. Louis River. The reservoir serves primarily to store water to supplement winter water flow for generating hydroelectricity at facilities downstream on the St. Louis River. With approximately 10 miles of mainland shoreline and being part of the Beaver River system (upstream of Fish Lake and tributary to the St. Louis River), Wild Rice Lake Reservoir offers anglers a variety of fishing opportunities despite its relatively shallow nature.

Minnesota licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Wild Rice Lake Reservoir and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Wild Rice Lake Reservoir. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Wild Rice Lake Reservoir

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Minnesota licenses and regulations

Minnesota Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Minnesota Fishing License

You need to buy a Minnesota fishing license if you're 16 or older. Annual licenses allow you to fish from March 1 to the last day of February the following year. Lower-cost licenses are available for shorter time periods. There is an added cost to fish for trout, salmon or sturgeon. All non-residents, regardless of age, must buy a fishing license.

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Minnesota Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Minnesota Stream Access Laws

A Minnesota waterway is navigable if it’s capable of travel, recreational or commercial. The state owns navigable streambeds, which are open to public recreation. All surface waters and groundwater, except for surface waters not confined, are waters of the state.

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Take Wild Rice Lake Reservoir with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Wild Rice Lake Reservoir to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Wild Rice Lake Reservoir to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.