Minnesota Anticipates Strong Wild Rice Harvest Despite Variable Conditions

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is optimistic about the wild rice harvest this season, which commences on August 15. Officials have noted that many regions are predicting average to above-average yields, with some areas even surpassing last year’s figures. However, DNR Wildlife Lake Specialist, Ann Geisen, emphasized that the yield might differ across lakes due to the impact of summer storms and varying water levels associated with droughts.

Prospective harvesters are advised to scout individual lakes in advance to determine rice quality, optimal harvest time, and potential accessibility issues caused by low water. Geisen stressed the importance of scouting, likening it to the prep work done before hunting deer or turkey. Importantly, harvesting unripe rice is illegal due to the damage it inflicts on the plant, and there have been instances where rice beds were ruined by such premature harvesting.

While the state governs the majority of the water bodies, tribal nations set their own harvest seasons within their reservations, restricting harvest only to their members. Low water levels this year have fostered increased germination and dense rice clusters in some lakes. However, this also means that accessing these lakes for harvest might be challenging due to the same low water levels.

On another note, the DNR has cautioned both waterfowl hunters and ricers about overlapping seasons. With early teal and goose hunting seasons coinciding with the peak wild rice harvest period in September, potential conflicts could arise. As a precautionary measure, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has closed its ricing lakes to waterfowl hunters during the early hunting season from Sept. 2-6.

Annually, the DNR sells between 1,500 to 2,000 wild rice licenses, with the numbers reflecting the crop’s quality. However, these figures exclude American Indians from federally recognized tribes in Minnesota, who don’t need a state license. Notably, Minnesota boasts more acres of natural wild rice than any other state in the U.S.