Chronology of 2025-2026 Rice Lake Winter Aeration project
This page will track the activities related to the winter aeration of Rice Lake for the 2025-2026 season. Most recent activities are at the bottom of this page.
June 17, 2025 - City of Maple Grove provides Certificate of Liability Insurance for system operation
​The City of Maple Grove provided insurance coverage for running the aeration system off City property. (Click here to view the policy information)
This page was last updated on: December 3, 2025
Number of visitors since November 21, 2020

Started at 226
August 2025 - Winter Aeration expansion completed
4 new 1,000' diffuser hoses were installed to extend the aeration system further out into the lake into roughly 9'+ of water. This will provide better oxygen support for the fisheries, especially during drawdowns. The previous diffuser hoses only extended 250' feet from the shoreline into 7' of water (only 2'+ during drawdowns).  (Click here for approximate locations of new diffusers)
Why do we aerate? Click here for some background.
See below for photos of various activities related to Winter Aeration
June 13, 2025 - RLAA submitted permit renewal to MN DNR
Permit AERP3222 pending for MN DNR review and approval for the 2025-2026 winter aeration season. This will be done in conjunction with 2025-2026 drawdown to control invasive Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil.
November 6 & 13, 2025 - Winter Aeration public notice in Osseo-Maple Grove Press
​Per Minnesota DNR requirements, a public notice must be run in the local newspaper prior to any operation of the winter aeration system on Rice Lake for the 2025-2026 season. (Click here to view the notices)
October 6, 2025 - Shoreline Warning signs posted at access points
​Warning signs posted at various locations around the lake for upcoming winter aeration project.  (Click here to view those locations)
December 3, 2025 - Winter Aeration not started yet
​Even though we have most of the lake iced in this week, the winter aeration system has not yet been fired up until the ice is safe enough to venture on. As of today (12/3), portions of Elm Creek are still open water.