Stearns County · 1,513 acres
Rice Lake homes for sale
Buyers looking at Rice Lake are looking at about 1,513 acres of water in Stearns County, 41 feet deep at the deepest point. The fishing is mostly walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass, and the nearest towns are Roscoe, Eden Valley, and Paynesville.
See every home for sale on or near Rice Lake, from every brokerage.
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Lakeshore homes onlyActive listings from every brokerage, from NorthstarMLS through IDX Broker. Janet can be your buyer's agent on any of them.
The lake
About Rice Lake
Rice Lake lies between Paynesville and Roscoe in Stearns County. It is 1,513 acres and 41 feet deep with two DNR concrete ramps.
One of many Rice Lakes in Minnesota; this is DOW 73-0196-00 near Paynesville.
Rice Lake is the second-largest of the 6 Stearns County lakes on this site, after Lake Koronis. About 63% of it is under 15 feet deep, the zone the DNR calls littoral, where most aquatic plants grow, so shallow water makes up most of the lake.
From the middle of Rice Lake, as the crow flies, it is about 4 miles to Roscoe, 5 miles to Eden Valley, and 5 miles to Paynesville. Janet's office in Alexandria is 51 miles to the northwest.
Rice Lake facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 1,513 acres |
| Maximum depth | 41 feet |
| Littoral (under 15 ft) | 63% |
| Shoreline | 14.9 miles |
| Public access | Yes, 2 DNR-listed accesses |
| Fish species (DNR survey) | walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass |
| Invasive species (DNR) | starry stonewort and zebra mussel |
| County | Stearns County |
| Nearest town | Roscoe |
| Drive from Alexandria | about 59 mi to Roscoe, an hour and 10 minutes |
| DNR lake ID | 73-0196-00 |
Figures from the Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, pulled 2026-09-22.
Nearby
Towns on and near Rice Lake
Other lakes nearby
What to know
Janet on the lakes
Many lake roads around Rice Lake are private or association roads. Ask who maintains them, whether they are plowed in winter, and what the annual road or association fee is before you commit.
The buying a lake home guide covers docks, septic, shoreland rules and financing in more detail.
We were in the market for a cabin and met Janet, with our first visit to a cabin we were interested in. Janet worked tirelessly to help us find a place that met our requirements. She was extremely knowledgeable of lakes, homes and their backgrounds. I would recommend Janet for any real estate needs.
Track record
Janet's sales near Rice Lake
Of the homes Home Match Realty listed and sold, the closest to Rice Lake is in Spicer, about 18 miles from the lake as the crow flies. The next closest are in St. Cloud (26 miles) and Villard (39 miles). In Richmond, whose center is about 7 miles from the lake, Janet represented the buyer in one closing (counted, not shown, under NorthstarMLS rules).
The Broker Reciprocity logo marks sold data supplied by NorthstarMLS through its Broker Reciprocity program. Data believed to be accurate but should be independently verified. Properties displayed may be listed or sold by various participants in the MLS.
Talk to Janet
What would make Rice Lake right for you?
Buyers looking at Rice Lake can reach Janet directly at (320) 219-2488. She answers her own phone and replies to every message personally, seven days a week.
If you are selling lakeshore, start with the selling a lake home guide or the home value form.
FAQ
Questions about Rice Lake
Is there public access on Rice Lake?
The Minnesota DNR lists public access at two points on Rice Lake.
What fish are in Rice Lake?
The DNR's surveys of Rice Lake list walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The DNR has also confirmed starry stonewort and zebra mussels in the lake. Its DNR lake ID is 73-0196-00, and its LakeFinder page has the survey reports.
How deep is Rice Lake?
Rice Lake reaches 41 feet at its deepest and covers about 1,513 acres, with 14.9 miles of shoreline. That makes it the fourth-deepest of the 6 Stearns County lakes on this site.
What about the well and septic on Rice Lake?
Nearly all lake properties rely on a private well and a septic system. Most counties here require a septic compliance inspection at sale, and Minnesota requires a well disclosure, so both are ordered early.
Ready when you are
Talk to Janet about Rice Lake
Shoreline moves fast in spring. A short call now puts you first in line.