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Bois Forte and Grand Portage members need to have an 1854 Treaty Authority identification card in their possession to harvest wild rice within the 1854 Ceded Territory. A State license is not required unless harvest occurs outside of the 1854 Ceded Territory. Other State regulations must be followed.

Under State regulations, the harvesting of wild rice requires a wild rice harvester license. Changes in license fees became effective in 2003:

Annual harvester (MN resident) $25.00

One-day harvester (MN resident) $15.00

One-day harvester (non-resident) $30.00

Season Dates

Ripe wild rice may be harvested from July 15th to September 30th annually*

*(Although the wild rice season opens on July 15th each year, please note that no rice is ripe at that time. The harvest of green or unripe rice is illegal and will result in prosecution.)

Closed Waters

After the season for harvesting wild rice has opened (July 15th), conservation officers or other authorized agents of the commissioner may close the harvest on any public water. These closures will be posted at known access points. Waters will then be posted open when the wild rice is determined to be ripe and ready for harvest.

Restricted Areas

National Wildlife Refuges and Parks are closed to wild rice harvesting, except when authorized by a special permit issued by the appropriate Federal Refuge or Park. State Wildlife Management Areas are open to wild rice harvesting unless posted closed by a local area wildlife manager or conservation officer.

Please note that regulations were summarized from Minnesota Wild Rice Harvesting Regulations published by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. A complete brochure is available by contacting MNDNR.

Watercraft

The maximum length is 18 feet. The maximum top outside width is 36 inches. Extensions that increase normal capacity are prohibited.

Ricing Hours

9:00 am -- 3:00 pm daily

Push Poles

Push poles must be forked at the end. The forks must be less than 12 inches in length.

Flail

The flail must be made of round, smooth wood. It must be hand held and operated. The maximum length is 30 inches, and maximum weight is one pound.

Mechanical Devices

The use of mechanical devices is prohibited on public waters.

All wild rice within the boundaries of Indian Reservations is managed by the respective Reservation. In the 1854 Ceded Territory, the Bois Forte, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac Reservations manage the wild rice within their own boundaries. Typically, only Tribal members or those persons receiving proper authorization are allowed to harvest wild rice within Reservation boundaries. Wild rice committees establish the opening date, days, and hours of harvest. Please contact the appropriate Reservation staff for specific rules and for more information.