Excellent Year for Wild Rice Despite Drought

photo courtesy of MN DNR

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Despite drought conditions across the Lakes Area the Minnesota DNR says this year’s wild rice crop is looking good.

Wild rice harvesters are allowed to take ripe wild rice each year between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30. Typically, peak harvesting dates are estimated to be in late August to mid-September as long as weather remains mild and dry. This summer’s hot weather may make some rice stands ripen early.

“We’re seeing better than average production this year,” said Tammy Baden with the MN DNR. “Wild rice likes to grow in shallow water and it likes water levels that are slowly decreasing.”

Baden also notes that large rain events can be detrimental to wild rice beds if water levels get too high. Drought conditions and little rain have made for ideal wild rice conditions.

Wild rice harvesters usually use a nonmotorized canoe with a push pole or paddles for power, and collect rice using two sticks, or flails, to knock mature seeds into the canoe.

It is unlawful for most people to take wild rice grain from any of the waters within the original boundaries at the White Earth, Leech Lake, Nett Lake, Vermilion Lake, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac and Mille Lacs reservations.

The exceptions to this are Native Americans and residents of the reservations listed.