REGIONAL— Minnesota’s wild rice harvesting season opens by statute on Saturday, but it’s likely to be at least a couple more weeks before the wild grain can legally be harvested. While the season runs from Aug. 15-Sept. 30, it remains against the law to harvest unripe, or “green” rice.
“While Aug. 15 is the official opening date, most rice waters aren’t ripe by that date,” said Ann Geisen, Minnesota DNR wildlife lake specialist. “Trying to harvest rice before it’s ripe can damage the plants. Damaged plants mean fewer grains for harvesters, wildlife, and fewer grains to grow rice plants next year. We remind harvesters to respect the resource and make sure the kernels are ready.” 
Early reports suggest a fair to excellent wild rice crop across central and northern Minnesota, although exceedingly low water levels could create challenging conditions for ricers in some cases. “With drought conditions throughout much of Minnesota, water levels on lakes and rivers are lower than normal. Some rice waters may not be accessible by canoe,” Geisen said. “Harvesters definitely need to scout ricing waters to ensure access.”
People interested in harvesting wild rice need to know the regulations and can check out the DNR website at: mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/wildrice.html for wild rice conditions this year, tips on harvesting and other important information to know before heading out. The report on wild rice conditions this year will be available on the website by Aug. 17.
According to Geisen, there are a few things to look for to know if rice is ready:
• The bottom part of the plant has started to turn brown. When rice kernels are ripe, the rest of the plant starts to die back for the season. If the bottom part of the stems and leaves are starting to turn brown, this is a sign that the kernels might be ready.
• The insides of the kernels are firm, not soft or milky. As the kernel develops inside the hull, it starts out soft and milky. As it gets ripe, the inside of the kernel becomes firm, with no liquid present. If you break a kernel and it snaps instead of bends, that means the kernel is ripe.
• When the plant is gently shaken, the kernels easily fall off the plant. This is the most important sign that the rice is ripe. If the kernels are not falling easily, the rice is not ripe. If the kernels are not falling easily, some people hit the plant harder. This is what damages the plants.
Ricers are required to be licensed unless they are residents under 18 years of age and are accompanied by a licensed harvester. Tribal members who possess a valid tribal identification card from a federally recognized tribe located in Minnesota do not need a state wild rice harvesting license.