Minnesota Wild Rice Season Opens With Favorable Outlook

Minnesota’s wild rice harvesting season opens today, with early reports pointing to favorable crops across much of the state.

The Department of Natural Resources says conditions vary by lake, ranging from fair to excellent. Several northern and central Minnesota areas are reporting average or above-average rice stands.

But D-N-R wildlife lake specialist Ann Geisen says August fifteenth is only the earliest legal harvest date. Most rice waters are not yet ripe, and harvesting green rice is illegal because it can damage the plants.

The season runs through September thirtieth, with harvesting allowed daily from 9 A-M to 3 P-M. Low water levels could make some lakes and rivers difficult to reach this year.

Harvesters should check local conditions and regulations before leaving. They should also remove aquatic plants and clean their canoe, paddles and other equipment before moving between waters.

The outlook, ripeness warning and season details are from the Minnesota DNR