Shields Lake

Shields Lake near 44.3700, -93.4414 is a lake in Rice County, Minnesota. Shields Lake covers about 952 acres, reaches a recorded 31 feet and holds about 9,826 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Shields Lake Affect Fishing

Shields Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Shields Lake

Fish reported from Shields Lake include bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common carp, emerald shiner, fathead minnow, freshwater drum, golden shiner, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white bass, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Shields Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Shields Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye and White Bass

For roaming fish at Shields Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye, and follow shad with a spoon, jig or small crankbait for white bass.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Shields Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Shields Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Shields Lake include these plans: bounce a jig, worm or crayfish bait along firm bottom for freshwater drum, and work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

How the Seasons Change Shields Lake

Spring at Shields Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Shields Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Shields Lake

On a first trip to Shields Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Shields Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Shields Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Shields Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 952-acre Shields Lake?

At Shields Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 31-foot deep end of Shields Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Shields Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 9,826 acre-foot storage figure mean at Shields Lake?

At Shields Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.