By Kathy Smith, GLIFWC Genawendang Manoomin
As we move into the manoomin (wild rice) harvest season, preparations for rice camps are well underway. This is the time to check canoes, push poles, knockers, and processing equipment, making sure everything is ready when the rice tells us it’s time. With the continued decline of wild rice across many of our lakes and rivers, I often reflect on the teaching, “If we don’t use it, we lose it.” That truth echoes louder each year. Our wetlands are truly important to our people.
I think about the stories passed down, how our people transitioned into harvesting manoomin when it was time to gather, sometimes selling part of their harvest to buy school clothes or support their families. With rising food prices and the increasing value placed on wild rice today, I often wonder what our ancestors would think of these times. Still, through it all, I find myself looking forward to being on the water again, hearing and feeling the rhythm of the knockers, hearing the familiar fall of rice seeds into the canoe, and reconnecting with a practice that carries the very heartbeat of our ancestors.
Weather in 2025
Weather has always been a point of interest to me. Some early observations on this year’s weather patterns offer insight into how they may be influencing manoomin across northern Wisconsin and the Ceded Territory. Cooler temperatures in the spring gave us an extended transition period, something I’m very grateful for. But as we know, Mother Earth always finds a way to catch up, whether through warming temps or fluctuating water levels.
The 2025 season has brought a mix of conditions, including several notable storm systems. A fast-moving windstorm in mid-June produced widespread wind damage and heavy rainfall across the Upper Midwest. In late June, some areas saw 6–7 inches of rain in a short period, contributing to temporary high-water levels on seepage lakes.
As heat and humidity increase, additional observations are starting to roll in. Morning conditions have included drift smoke and inversion layers from the north, with varying cloud cover, factors that can occasionally hinder visibility and the quality photos. However, based on current weather patterns and flight protocols, conditions will be favorable for regular aerial surveys. We ask for your continued patience as our website is also undergoing a new look and photos will be posted as soon as we are able to get into the air.
Other thoughts, biboon and herbivory
Manoomin beds this year, while varied in abundance, are generally in better condition for harvest than in the past couple of years across the Ceded Territory. It’s not always clear why manoomin flourishes in one season and struggles the next, but one differing factor this year may be the nature of this past Biboon (winter).
While the winter was milder than average, it more closely aligned with the natural seasonal rhythms of this region. Increased snowfall, deeper frost, and more consistent ice cover likely helped suppress competing vegetation, opening up more suitable habitat for manoomin growth. However, this wasn’t uniform, some areas experienced less of Biboon’s effects, contributing to the range of conditions we are seeing this season. In addition to weather and habitat, herbivory continues to place pressure on many waterbodies. Nikag (geese) and waabiziig (swans) are known to graze heavily on manoomin. Even a single pair of nesting swans can cause significant damage to a rice bed while raising their young. This usually impacts rice where it is sparse.
What we are seeing
The manoomin team has been actively surveying since early July and continues to collect observations on abundance, density, and habitat conditions across many lakes. These ground surveys will continue into late August. Aerial surveys typically begin in early August and continue through the end of the month. Findings will be reviewed at the upcoming Wild Rice Committee meeting, and some posted to our website.
As many know, water level stability is especially important during the early growth and pollination stages of manoomin. While it’s still early to determine the full impacts of the recent storms and high-water events, we anticipate gaining a clearer understanding as surveys progress. Some areas are observed in full flowering stage and some were just starting to flower.
The team is also ground-truthing a new remote sensing tool that may support early-season outlooks in the future. We’re hopeful it will be a valuable addition to our stewardship toolkit next year.
On the ground observations: A snapshot
Some areas we’ve visited so far are showing lush growth. One on-reservation water body that we recently visited was standing tall in some areas. As is often the case, lakes that have produced well over the past few years may recede slightly but can still provide a good harvest. We are still waiting to hear back on other areas.
–Totogetic Lake has rice present this year after a period of rest, while sparse, it’s encouraging to see its return.
–Minong Flowage is still showing good harvestable rice, though water levels are a little high and some recession along the edges is visible.
–Pacwawong showed rice recession along the edges and sparse growth.
–Little Turtle Flowage is also looking promising and worth a visit.
–Island Lake continues to show potential, after a few years of doing well, the channels are receding.
–Lake Onamia is looking good on the Minnesota side.
I had seen some pockets of rice in river areas doing well. I hear harvesters are saying some areas are not so good, then others saying the rice is doing well. Of course, it depends on the area and how the comparison in years past.
We remain committed to working closely with tribal partners and staff to monitor conditions, support stewardship, and share updates as the season progresses. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or if additional information would be helpful. glifwc.org/about-us/contactus#contact-us
If your favorite rice bed isn’t looking as strong this year, don’t be discouraged, there are many other areas showing a resurgence and offering good potential for harvest. Explore new places, keep safety in mind, and most importantly: don’t fall in!