National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies in Aitkin County, Minnesota, with about 18,073 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 10,377 huntable acres.

1 with special regs2 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
10.4Khuntable acres
18.1KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Rice Lake NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Rice Lake NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

For thousands of years, Native Americans have been coming to Rice Lake for a traditional fall harvest of the bountiful wild rice that gives the lake and the refuge their names. This ancient tradition continues today by the Ojibwe people on refuge lands.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Minnesota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 10,377 (57%)Closed: 7,696 (43%)10.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations10,377 ac 57%
  • Closed7,696 ac 43%
Units by size (acres)
Unit A - Open
10,377 ac
Unit B - Managed Disability Deer Hunt
3,899 ac
Closed
3,797 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Unit A - Open Special regs 10,377 —
Closed Closed 3,797 —
Unit B - Managed Disability Deer Hunt Closed 3,899 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Minnesota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Rice Lake NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is in accordance with Wisconsin state seasons on Mandy Lake, Twin Lake and Rice River. Available species include northern pike and yellow perch. Only non-motorized or boats with electric motors are permitted.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Rice Lake NWR

Navigate

Destination: Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.52756, -93.35384
DMS
46°31′39.2″N 93°21′13.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Brainerd, MN42 mi E of town
  • Superior, WI61 mi W of town
  • Duluth, MN62 mi W of town
  • St. Cloud, MN77 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • DLH Duluth Intl59 mi
  • MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul114 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Rice Lake NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:55 PM13h 23m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM7:27 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:55 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM6:28 PM10h 60m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM5:00 PM10h 07m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM4:42 PM9h 27m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:06 AM7:36 AM4:29 PM8h 53m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:20 AM7:50 AM4:26 PM8h 37m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM4:35 PM8h 38m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:23 AM7:53 AM4:50 PM8h 57m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:08 AM7:38 AM5:15 PM9h 37m

Computed for 46.528, -93.354 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Rice Lake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Rice Lake NWR?

Yes. Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (10,377 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Rice Lake NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Rice Lake NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Rice Lake NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Rice Lake NWR located?

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, about 42 miles E of Brainerd, MN (straight-line). GPS: 46.52756, -93.35384.

What are legal shooting hours at Rice Lake NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Mille Lacs NWR

Mille Lacs County, MN · 26 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Crane Meadows NWR

Morrison County, MN · 59 mi SW

1 open2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

2.2K huntable acres

Sherburne NWR

Sherburne County, MN · 74 mi S

3 special3 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

28K huntable acres

Iron River NFH

Bayfield County, WI · 96 mi E

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

1.1K huntable acres

St. Croix WMD

St. Croix County, WI · 104 mi S

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

8.9K huntable acres

Tamarac NWR

Becker County, MN · 112 mi W

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

42K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Minnesota →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.