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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Wild rice reports suggest challenging season

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 8/15/18

REGIONAL— This summer’s variable weather is likely to present challenges for wild rice harvesters this season, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The wild rice season officially …

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Wild rice reports suggest challenging season

Posted

REGIONAL— This summer’s variable weather is likely to present challenges for wild rice harvesters this season, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The wild rice season officially opened on Wednesday, Aug. 15, although most rice in the North Country won’t be ripe for picking for at least another two to three weeks.

“This year, wild rice conditions are variable across much of the state,” said Ann Geisen, DNR wildlife lake specialist. “In some parts of the state, rice stands are poor due to lots of rain and flooding. But in other parts of the state, the rice is looking really good. Harvesters who spend some time scouting waters for harvesting will probably have the best success.”

If you’d never harvested wild rice before, finding an experienced mentor who is willing to share their skills and knowledge can greatly improve success. Scouting lakes ahead of time can also be very helpful for finding harvestable stands of rice and locating access sites.

Minnesota’s green rice law makes it illegal to harvest unripe or “green” rice.  So even though rice beds may look like they are maturing well, ricers must make sure the grain is ripe before attempting to harvest it. With many rice beds impacted by storms, harvesters will need to take extra care this year to make sure they are not harvesting too early and damaging the limited rice stands that remain.

According to the 1854 Treaty Authority, which monitors wild rice conditions beginning in mid-summer, only a handful of lakes and streams in northeastern Minnesota have good crops of rice developing. Heavy rains and some flooding earlier in the summer in many locations may have damaged rice crops. Local DNR area offices report the following:

 Tower – Overall, rice beds are average to below-average due to the heavy and persistent rain storms earlier in the summer that caused localized flash flooding. Lakes and rivers that did not receive as much rain do have moderate stands of rice with some areas of higher density. Scouting will be needed. Most stands are currently flowering.

 Orr – Wild rice stands are average to below average due to the heavy rains earlier in the growing season that caused localized flooding. Rice beds of moderate density can be found in lakes and rivers that did not receive as much rain. Scouting will be necessary.  Most stands are currently flowering.

You can monitor frequently-updated wild rice conditions at the 1854 Treaty Authority website at www.1854treatyauthority.org/wild-rice/wild-rice-conditions-update.html.