Nearest Town: McGregor

The 18,500-acre Rice Lake NWR is a mosaic of lakes, marshes, forests, and grasslands that provide a variety of habitat for migrant and resident wildlife. Abundant natural foods, particularly Wild Rice, have attracted wildlife to the area for centuries. The Refuge is especially noted for its fall concentrations of Ring-necked Duck, which often number over 150,000 birds. Other important waterfowl migrants include Mallard, Wood Duck, Canvasback, and Canada Goose. White-tailed Deer, Black Bear, River Otter, American Beaver, Bald Eagle, and Ruffed Grouse inhabit the Refuge. Songbirds, raptors, and nearly all other species associated with the bogs and forests of northern Minnesota, including Gray Wolf, Sandhill Crane, and occasionally a Moose are found on the Refuge.

Conservationists were concerned about low duck populations in the Dust Bowl years of the 1930’s. One strategy to help waterfowl was to provide resting areas and refuge for ducks on their southern migration. Rice Lake historically, and even during the drought years, had large populations of migrating waterfowl. Thus, the area was identified as one of the first to be purchased in an attempt to stem the decline of waterfowl populations.

Franklin D. Roosevelt established Rice Lake Migratory Waterfowl Refuge by Executive Order in 1935 “as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” Following initial land purchases, using NIR Wildlife Refuges Funds (also known as the $6 Million Fund) and Duck Stamp Funds, early development of the Refuge was accomplished using Civilian Conservation Corps labor (Camp BS-3, Company 2705). A Presidential proclamation changed the name of the Refuge to Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge in 1940.

Two hundred and thirty eight species of birds have been confirmed on Rice Lake NWR. Rice Lake has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy. This designation was granted due to the importance of the lake, with its abundance of Wild Rice, to migrating waterfowl, especially Ring-necked Ducks. The Refuge is part of the McGregor Important Bird Area as designated through the National Audubon Society.

Forty-two species of mammals call Rice Lake NWR home. Commonly observed species include White-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Porcupine, Snowshoe Hare, Bobcat, American Beaver, Coyote and Red Fox. The refuge is home to at least one pack of Gray Wolves and though a rare occurrence, Canada Lynx and Moose have been seen on the refuge.

Twenty-one species of fish use the refuge, including Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Black and Brown Bullheads, Bigmouth Buffalo, White Suckers, Bowfin, Golden Shiner and Walleye. Rice Lake is a natural hatchery for Northern Pike, Bigmouth Buffalo and White Sucker. In the spring, these species come up the Mississippi River and find their way to Rice Lake to spawn.

Ten species of amphibians and three reptile species also have a niche at Rice Lake NWR. Through the spring and summer months the frog and toad symphony changes from calling Spring Peeper and Wood Frog in late April to Green, Mink and Gray Tree Frogs in July.