'Unfavorable' conditions mean no wild-ricing

The harvest of wild rice on Fond du Lac Reservation lakes will be prohibited this year. The Band made the announcement last week.

“Growing conditions were highly unfavorable this year and the decision was made to rest the on-reservation wild rice lakes for the season,” the announcement said.

The Band encouraged members to utilize their treaty rights to harvest wild rice elsewhere in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Using a valid tribal identification card, members may harvest within Minnesota outside of the existing boundaries of the Fond du Lac, White Earth, Leech Lake, Bois Forte, Grand Portage, and Mille Lacs reservations, the Band said.

The Band encouraged members to “travel west of Aitkin when looking for harvestable water bodies as many of the local area lakes and rivers are also in less than favorable condition this season.”

Wild rice condition reports and photos are available on the 1854 Treaty Authority website.