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   As the Aug. 15 wild rice season opening date approaches, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters that rice stands must be ripe before they can be legally harvested.

   Wild rice harvesters going out during the upcoming season will find challenging conditions throughout much of Minnesota.

   “Frequent and strong summer storms created high water levels and washed out many rice beds,” said Ann Geisen, Minnesota DNR wildlife lake specialist. “Overall rice stands range from poor to average.”

   As people consider harvesting, they need to know the regulations that help protect wild rice stands for future years. Harvesters are allowed to take ripe wild rice each year during the harvesting season that runs between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30, but Minnesota’s green rice law makes it illegal to harvest unripe or “green” rice, even within the dates of the harvest season. So, although rice beds might look like they are ready, ricers must make sure the grain is ripe and falling easily from the stalk before attempting to harvest it. Additionally, Minnesota’s early teal season is Sept. 1-5 and a safety mindset and mutual courtesy will allow for successful early waterfowl hunting and wild ricing.   

   Early reports from Minnesota DNR and tribal biologists indicate poor to average rice stands across central and northern Minnesota, with variable conditions for individual waters.

   “Scouting will be essential this year to find harvestable stands of rice,” Geisen said. “One bright spot is that the high water has significantly improved access conditions this year compared to last year. If folks find waters with harvestable rice, the water should be deep enough to launch the canoe.”

    The Minnesota DNR has posted a wild rice harvesting outlook report online. The outlook report is available each year on the Minnesota DNR’s wild rice management webpage (mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/wildrice.html), along with license, regulation and safety information. Anyone looking for more information on wild rice in their area can contact their local Minnesota DNR wildlife manager (mndnr.gov/areas/wildlife) or Shallow Lakes Program specialist (mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/specialists.html).

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