Friends of Rice Lake Refuge Inc.

The Friends of Rice Lake Refuge is a non-profit organization formed to support and enhance the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding area.

 The Friends help to educate the public about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s role in fish and wildlife habitat protection.

 The Friends foster public use and enjoyment of the Refuge. 

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an 18,200 acre area located in Aitkin County in east central Minnesota, about five miles south of the community of McGregor. It was established in 1935 to preserve valuable habitat for waterfowl. The most important resource on the refuge is Rice Lake itself, a shallow, 3,600-acre wild rice-producing lake. The refuge has been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy due to the importance of the lake and its wild rice as a food source to migrating waterfowl, especially ring-necked ducks. 

The refuge has numerous activities including a 14 mile auto tour, ~6.5 miles of hiking trail, cross country skiing, photography opportunities, a photo blind, and more with no entrance fees.

Give to the Friends - Support Rice Lake NWR

Your Money goes to providing educational and recreational opportunities, and creating new projects to improve the visitor experience.

Click "Donate" to Join, renew, give a membership, or make a gift to the Friends.

Student (K-12)            _____ $10

Senior (62+)                _____ $10

Individual                    _____ $20

Family                          _____ $30

Agency/Organization _____ $35

Business                       _____ $100

Individual Lifetime     _____ $150

Organization Lifetime _____ $350