Rice Lake
Around Rice Lake
Photo: Wikideas1 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Wisconsin · 46k people
Rice Lake
Locals say Barron County
Where every lake has a story.
Lake BlueNorthwoods Green
Welcome to Barron County, where the lakes are clear and the supper clubs are warm. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or putting down roots, you'll find friendly folks and plenty of outdoor adventure.
Clubs for Rice Lake
No clubs for Rice Lake yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Rice Lake. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Rice Lake. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Rice Lake Popular for fishing, boating, and ice fishing.
- Lake Chetek Part of a chain of lakes, great for water sports.
- Shell Lake Clear water, good for swimming and fishing.
- Turtle Lake Small lake with public access.
- Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum Celebrates canoe building history in Spooner.
- Rice Lake Speedway Local dirt track with weekly races.
- Outdoors Fishing on Rice Lake
- Outdoors Hiking in Barron County Forest
- With kids Visit the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum
- With kids Swim at public beaches on Lake Chetek
- Evenings Supper club dinners
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Locals love Supper clubs
- Locals love Bait shops
Through the year
- Barron County Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Spooner Rodeo July Professional rodeo event.
- Rice Lake Speedway racing season Summer weekends Weekly dirt track races on summer weekends.
- Chetek Musky Festival June Celebrates musky fishing with contests and a parade.
Cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Best time to be out is June through September for lake activities and fall for colors. Winter is harsh but great for ice fishing and snowmobiling. Best: June through September for lake activities; fall for colors.
Getaways
- Menomonie Historic downtown and Red Cedar State Trail.
- Eau Claire Music scene, riverfront, and farmers market.
- Twin Cities Big-city attractions, museums, and pro sports.
- Duluth Lake Superior, Canal Park, and North Shore scenery.
Local flavour
Teams
- Rice Lake Lakers SIJHL
Also rooting for Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Cheese Curds Fresh, squeaky curds are a Wisconsin staple, often served at local taverns and supper clubs.
- Friday Fish Fry A weekly tradition at nearly every bar and restaurant, featuring beer-battered cod or walleye.
- Bratwurst Grilled brats with sauerkraut and mustard, a backyard and tailgate favorite.
- Supper Club Style The classic Wisconsin supper club experience—relish trays, prime rib, and old-fashioneds.
Where people go
- Supper clubs Classic Wisconsin institutions with relish trays, steaks, and old-fashioneds.
- Bait shops Local hubs for fishing licenses, live bait, and advice on the best spots.
- Ice fishing huts Colorful shanties dotting frozen lakes in winter, a true Northwoods ritual.
- Lake cabins and resorts Rustic getaways that draw families year after year.
- Small-town main streets Historic storefronts, local diners, and community pride.
Heritage and traditions
Barron County is proud of its chain of lakes, small-town friendliness, and deep roots in Wisconsin's Northwoods outdoor life, from musky fishing to snowmobiling.
This time of year in Rice Lake
- Deer hunting Fall The gun deer season in November is a major tradition, with many families heading to their cabins.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soda or soft drink.
Festivals
- Barron County Fair July A classic county fair with livestock, carnival rides, and local food.
- Spooner Rodeo July A long-running rodeo that brings in cowboys and families from across the region.
- Chetek Musky Festival June Celebrates the musky fishing on the Chetek Chain of Lakes with tournaments and a parade.
- Cumberland Island City Days July Cumberland, known as the Island City, hosts a summer celebration with live music and family activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum Located in Spooner, this museum celebrates the history and craft of canoe building in the area.
- Barron County Courthouse The courthouse in Barron is a historic landmark with classic architecture.
- Spooner Depot Spooner was a major railroad town, and the depot is a reminder of that heritage.
Food traditions
- Friday fish fry A Wisconsin staple, often at supper clubs, featuring fried cod or perch with sides.
- Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky cheese curds are a local favorite, often battered and fried.
- Bratwurst Grilled brats, often served with sauerkraut and mustard, are a backyard and tailgate tradition.
- Wild rice Harvested from local lakes, wild rice is a traditional food of the Ojibwe and is used in soups and casseroles.
- Venison During deer hunting season, many families share venison steaks and jerky.
A little history
- Late 1800s Logging era
- 1880s Railroad arrival
- Pre-1800s Ojibwe presence
- Early 1900s Resort development
- Game day Rice Lake Speedway racing
- Game day Musky fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing for musky on Chetek lakes
- Outdoors Canoeing the Red Cedar River
- With kids Visiting the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum
- With kids Swimming at public beaches on Lake Chetek
People here speak with a classic Wisconsin accent, using phrases like 'ope' and 'you betcha.' They also say 'bubbler' for water fountain and 'pop' for soda.
Only here
- The Chetek Chain of Lakes, a series of connected lakes perfect for boating and fishing.
- The Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, the only museum in the country dedicated to canoe heritage.
- Cumberland, known as the Island City because it sits on an island in the chain of lakes.
- The Spooner Rodeo, one of the longest-running rodeos in Wisconsin.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for cold, snowy winters—invest in a good winter coat and boots.
- Learn to say 'Ope' when you bump into someone—it's a friendly local habit.
- Try a Friday fish fry at a local supper club for a true Wisconsin experience.
- Chetek is pronounced 'CHET-ek'—locals will appreciate the effort.
- If you're new, get a fishing license and try your hand at musky fishing—it's a local passion.
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Nearby
Every areaHaywardWisconsinLakes, pines, and a slower pace.Polk CountyWisconsinWhere the northwoods meet the river.MenomonieWisconsinLakeside charm, midwestern heart.Eau ClaireWisconsinWhere the rivers hum and the hops flow.MedfordWisconsinWhere the pines meet the lakes, and everyone knows your name.Red WingMinnesotaRiver town pride, bluff country soul.Twin CitiesMinnesotaWhere the lakes never end and the welcome never stops.DuluthMinnesotaWhere the North Shore meets the Iron Range.
Rice Lake, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.