Planting Wild Rice (Indian Rice)

Wild rice is a plant which has to grow each year from seed. Seeds get into the mud either naturally, as they ripen and fall off the plants, or by spreading them by hand or machine in a suitable lake or river site.



Picture taken Aug 2006, a couple of stems picked from river showing various growth stages

The ripe seeds fall into the water at the end of summer. They sink to the bottom of the lake or stream and stay dormant near the surface of the mud during the winter months.

The seed beings to sprout in early May when water temperature is about 45° F (5° C). For the first 3 or 4 weeks of growth the young plants are under water, then long thin leaves begin to float on the surface of the water.

By the end of June, the stem and emergent leaves stick out of the water. Flowers begin to appear by mid-July and shortly after start to form seeds.

The first seeds usually ripen by the end of August, but ripe seeds can be collected from the plants for several weeks.

Wild rice won't grow if the water is too deep; shallow bays provide ideal wild rice habitat. The depth of water in the spring when the seeds germinate is most important.

It is extremely important to look for a site where the water stays about the depth of a paddle during the growing season.



Picture taken July 2007 of area previously planted on Spanish River

Wild rice will grow in water that is less than 6" to more than 4' deep. Plants in shallow water will be shorter, have many tillers and be sturdy and productive.

In deeper water the plants will be slender, singestemmed, widely spaced, weaker and later-flowering. In water more than 5' deep, the yield will be much lower as plants will have less seed and ripen later and so could be damaged by frost.

Wild rice will grow well in lakes or streams where there is some water movement.

Slow moving rivers can be very productive wild rice areas. The moving water stirs up the muddy bottoms and adds oxygen and nutrients, which are necessary for the wild rice seed to sprout and grow.

In bigger lakes, good sites are often found in bays or sheltered areas where a stream enters or drains the lake.

Wild rice does not do well in landlocked lakes and stagnant ponds.

The small wild rice plants require sunlight as they begin to grow under water. If the water is too dark or cloudy you will probably find that there is not enough sunlight getting to the bottom of the lake.

If the water is too clear there may not be enough nutrients in it. Often the best lakes have slightly "tea-coloured" water.

The chemicals in the water are important for good wild rice growth.

Dissolved salts, particularly sulphates and gases like carbon dioxide all influence the quality of the water.



Picture taken August 2006 Spanish River

Wild rice will not grow well in water that is low in essential nutrients. Neither will it grow well in water with lots of salt in it.

A good indicator of water quality for growing wild rice is whether or not water plants like waterlilies and pondweeds are already growing.

You may want to get the water tested to see if it is suitable.

Wild rice grows on a variety of soils, but it establishes best in lakes with soft organic bottoms with a mixture of silt or clay.

This bottom layer should be at least 45 cm (18") thick to allow the root system to develop properly.

Proper root development is necessary for good plant anchorage. If the sediment is too loose, the plant may pull out easily.

If it is hard, root development will be a problem. Mud or sediment which smells strongly of "rotten eggs" should be avoided.

Other lake bottoms that should be avoided include very loose mud (ooze) that does not stick to the paddle, as well as bare sand, rocks or gravel.



Picture of me planting Grassy Lake April 2006

Here's a great shot of me hand seeding where you can actually see the seed in the water (bottom left) before it sinks.

If too many water plants are in the lake they may be a problem. The weeds will take up too many essential nutrients or block the available sunlight with their large floating leaves.

Areas with heavy growth of plants should be avoided.

While waterlily is an indicator of the suitability of the waterbody for growing wild rice, your crop might have trouble developing if there is too much of it around.

Shelter from strong wind and wave action is critical in the successful production of wild rice. Choose bays or protected parts of lakes for planting sites.

Lots of wave action will uproot the young plants, particularly during the submerged and floating leaf stages.

At harvest time strong wind or wave action will easily knock off the ripe seed.

Good sites might be found in smaller sized lakes or bays surrounded by tall trees or behind islands.

Rick (pictured in the boat waving) heading out with Ministry of Natural Resources staff (pictured standing on the dock) using a seeder attached to our boat.



Seeder loaded with seed (done by hand) ready to be seeded.



This is a close up of the seeder.

CFWIP is our opportunity to participate in fish and wildlife management and conservation activities. Each year, we develop volunteer projects that improve fish and wildlife in our area. The Ministry of Natural Resources provides financial help, expertise, equipment and materials for approved CFWIP projects.

Check with your provincial Ministry of Natural Resources to see if they have a Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program (CFWIP).

Wild rice is not only an epicurean delight but is also high in nutritional value.

Studies have shown that wild rice is rich in niacin, thiamine and riboflavin.

It contains more high quality protein than wheat, yet wild rice has a low fat content, only 65 calories per 125ml (1/2 cup) serving.

Wild Rice is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Manganese.

Chart to the right is for Wild Rice, cooked (1 cup).

For further detailed nutrition facts, refer to the Nutrition Data website.

Stovetop Method

Wash 1 cup uncooked wild rice thoroughly. Add to 6 cups boiling water, salted to taste, in a heavy saucepan. Return water to boil and stir. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 50-60 minutes or just until kernels puff open (not every kernel will open).

Uncover and fluff with table fork. Simmer five additional minutes.

Drain any excess liquid.

For chewier texture cook less time.

Yield: 3-4 cups of cooked wild rice. (For additional flavor, try cooking in beef or chicken broth).

Tip: Wild rice is cooked in much the same manner as pasta, the more clean, cold water used, the better it is!

Oven Method

Wash 1 cup uncooked wild rice thoroughly. Combine with 2 cups water in a covered 2-quart casserole.

Cover and bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Check wild rice. Ad more water, if needed, and fluff with a fork.

Continue baking for 1/2 hour. wild rice should be moist, not dry.

Yield: 3-4 cups cooked wild rice. (For additional flavor, try cooking in beef or chicken broth).

Microwave Method

Wash 1 cup uncooked wild rice thoroughly. Combine with 3 cups water in a covered 2-quart glass casserole.

Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes.

Microwave on MEDIUM (50 percent power) for 30 minutes.

Let stand 10-15 minutes, drain.

Yield: 3-4 cups cooked wild rice. (For additional flavor, try cooking in beef or chicken broth)

Tip: Over-cooking will create a mushy product.