Rice Lake Refugewildlife
June through August are the best times to see wildlife with young, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at Rice Lake Refuge
Right now in Rice Lake Refuge · September
- Wild rice usually ready for harvest by Native Americans · Sep
- Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best months · Sep–Oct
- Portable restrooms at South Trail, Mandy Lake and Twin Lakes · Apr–Oct
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Rice Lake Observation TowerA stop on the wildlife drive (cars spring to fall, sunrise to sunset); pit toilets at the Rice Lake Overlook
- Twin LakesA picnic spot you can also paddle (electric motors only); portable restroom April through October
Nearby
- Sherburne Refuge75 mi2 separate phases, from June – AugustSatChance Rain Showers
- Rydell Refuge153 mifrom June to July
- Upper Mississippi River Refuge190 mifrom April to August
- Necedah Refuge229 mi3 separate phases, from late MaySatMostly Sunny
- Seney Refuge349 mi2 separate phases, from June – Aug. to see wildlife with youngSatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Sleeping Bear Dunes369 mi2 separate phases, from From late April through Early June
The year at Rice Lake Refuge
- Portable restrooms at South Trail, Mandy Lake and Twin LakesNowApr–Oct
- May: Spring migratory birds: May is the best timeMay
- Wildlife with young: June through August are the best timesJun–Aug
- Biting insects: bug spray, a head net or long sleeves, especially June through AugustJun–Aug
- Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best monthsNowSep–Oct
- Sep: Wild rice usually ready for harvest by Native AmericansNowSep
- Oct: Largest numbers of staging ring-necked ducks on Rice Lake, usually mid-OctoberOct
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
June through August are the best times to see wildlife with young, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: June through August. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: June through August, local timing.
Which young animals might I see?
Foxes raising their kits, and trumpeter swan families on the wetlands: the refuge now hosts numerous nesting pairs of trumpeter swans.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rice Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How bad are the bugs?
It can be buggy, especially in early summer: bring bug spray or a head net, or wear long sleeves and pants, especially June through August.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rice Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash: walking your dog on a leash is one of the refuge's popular activities.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rice Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What are the collars on some swans?
Collar transmitters from a project that tracks where swans travel; stop at refuge headquarters to learn more about their whereabouts.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rice Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
Rice Lake Observation Tower: a stop on the wildlife drive (cars spring to fall, sunrise to sunset); pit toilets at the Rice Lake Overlook; Twin Lakes: a picnic spot you can also paddle (electric motors only); portable restroom April through October.
What is Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring migratory birds: May is the best time (May), Wildlife with young: June through August are the best times (Jun–Aug), Wild rice usually ready for harvest by Native Americans (Sep), Fall migratory birds: September and October are the best months (Sep–Oct), Largest numbers of staging ring-necked ducks on Rice Lake, usually mid-October (Oct), Portable restrooms at South Trail, Mandy Lake and Twin Lakes (Apr–Oct) and Biting insects: bug spray, a head net or long sleeves, especially June through August (Jun–Aug).