REGIONAL— Minnesota’s wild rice season is now open but it’s up to ricers to ensure that the rice is ripe before they venture out to harvest. While the season opens by statute on Aug. 15, it is illegal to harvest “green” or unripe rice in Minnesota. Most rice stands in northeastern Minnesota typically ripen around Labor Day or even later.
“The green rice law helps protect wild rice for future years by requiring people to wait until rice is ripe before harvesting,” said Ann Geisen, Minnesota DNR wildlife lake specialist. “People interested in harvesting need to know the regulations and can check out our website and newsletter for wild rice conditions this year, tips on harvesting, and other important information to know before heading out.”
Harvesters are required to be licensed unless they are residents under 18 years of age and accompanied by a licensed harvester. Tribal band members who possess a valid tribal identification card from a federally recognized tribe located in Minnesota are allowed to harvest wild rice without the additional state wild rice harvesting license.
This year, individuals interested in rice conditions should check out the DNR’s wild ricing page at www.mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/wildrice.html for updates. The 1854 Treaty Authority, which used to provide detailed wild rice reports on its website, is no longer providing that information.
Early reports from Minnesota DNR and tribal biologists indicate highly variable conditions across central and northern Minnesota, with individual waters ranging from fair to great.
“Every year, DNR wildlife staff remind harvesters of the importance of scouting waters before the season begins,” Geisen said. “This year, scouting will be especially important to find sites with harvestable beds.”
Higher water levels on lakes and rivers means most rice stands should be accessible by canoe.