Rice Lake, Marathon County, Wisconsin

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• Links
• Lake Information Summaries
• Bibliography

Contacts: Lake Manager= Sorge, Buzz (WCR-Eau Claire); 715-839-3794; sorgep@dnr.state.wi.us
Fish Biologist
Aquatic Plant Management Contact= Debbie Konkel (WCR-Eau Claire); 715-839-2782 konked@dnr.state.wi.us
Water Management Specialist
Waterbasin Leader

Links:Marathon County Home Page (Exit DNR)

Wisconsin Lakes Book

Source: Wisconsin DNR- (Pub. FM-800) 1999 Revision. Key
Lake Name = Rice Lake
Area = 25 (acres)
Maximum Depth = 14 (feet)
Mean Depth = (feet)
Public Access = BR (BR= Boat Ramp; BF= Barrier-free; P= Barrier Free Pier; T= Walk in Trail; R= Roadside; W= Wilderness in Public Ownership; BW= Barrier-free Wilderness; NW= Navigable Water; and X= some type of access is available)
Lake Map = ( Blank, = No DNR Lake Map exists; X = Lake map exists)More information on lake maps.
Lake Type = SP (DG= Drainage Lake; SE= Seepage Lake; SP= Spring Lake; and DN= Drained Lake)
Muskie =
Key=(A= Abundant; C= Common; or P= Present)
Northern Pike = P
Walleye =
Largemouth Bass = P
Smallmouth Bass =
Panfish = A
Trout =
Catfish =
Sturgeon =
Mercury in fish = (Blank, no fish tested as of 1995; One or more fish species in lake tested Z = Real low amount of mercury found or Y= Mercury was found, an consumption advisory exists.)More Information.

"Old Historical Information"

Source: 1977, Surface Water Resources of Marathon County

Rice Lake, T27N, R10E, Section 7 Surface Acres = 24.8, Maximum Depth = 14 feet, Secchi Disk = 7 feet A hard water spring lake having slightly alkaline, light brown water of moderate transparency. The immediate shoreline (65 percent) is mostly upland of mixed hardwood and pine with the remainder being wetland of shrub, conifer, and marsh. The entire littoral zone is muck. Submergent aquatic vegetation grows in moderate quantities, while emergent types are sparse. Information on the fishery resource is lacking, however, northern pike and panfish may be present. At time of investigation (1973), the lake had a high population of muskrat. An improved public boat landing with parking has been provided. There are no shoreline developments. The outlet flows to Pike Lake.

Average Water Quality in Late Summer during the past 5 Years for Rice Lake in Wisconsin (Central) basin.

Note: No numbers by the first = in water clarity, etc. means no samples on this lake in the past 5 years in late summer.
Water Clarity in feet = for samples compared to 9 feet for 229 samples in the basin.
Chlorophyll A in ug/l = for samples compared to 14 ug/l for 62 samples in the basin.
Total Phosphorus in mg/l = for samples compared to 0.06 mg/l for 72 samples in the basin.
Public Perception of water conditions = for samples compared to 2 for 204 samples in the basin.
Where the scale is 1-5 1= Beautiful, could not be any nicer; 2= Very minor aesthetic problems - excellent for swimming, boating, enjoyment; 3= Swimming and aesthetic enjoyment slightly impaired because of algae levels; 4= Desire to swim and level of enjoyment of the lake substantially reduced because of algae (would not swim, but boating ok); 5= Swimming and aesthetic enjoyment of the lake nearly impossible because of algae level.
Trophic state is another indicator of water quality.

Bibliography for Rice Lake, Marathon County, Wisconsin     
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--- This bibliography is being build. Don't assume it is complete. ---
--- If you know of other related references for this lake, please tell us.---    

Carlson, H and L. M. Andrews. 1977. Surface Water Resources of 
     Marathon Co. Wis. DNR. 1981 81 pp. 

Wisconsin. Dept. of Natural Resources. 1991. Upper Wisconsin 
     River central sub-basin water quality management plan. 
     221 pp.

Produced by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Watershed Management
For Corrections or More information to add on this topic: James Vennie, Limnologist-Lake Data Manager, 608-266-2212