These Little-Known Lakes Are Perfect For Easy Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, And Bird Watching In Minnesota

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it can, be surprisingly difficult to find both peace and recreational opportunities at the same time. There is one group of relatively uncrowded lakes in Minnesota - a handful of them, actually - where you can enjoy a peaceful experience in nature while paddling, fishing, birding, or boating. All you need to do is head up to Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge near McGregor.

You'll find Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge along Minnesota Hwy. 65, a few miles south of McGregor.

The 18,000-acre refuge was established in 1935 and protects a portion of the Rice River, its 3,600-acre namesake lake, and a handful of smaller lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

There are several piers and boat launches in the refuge.

Which makes it ideal for anglers fishing from the shore or from a boat.

The calm waters of the Rice River are ideal for paddling, whether you bring a canoe, kayak, or SUP.

The refuge was established because of its importance to migrating waterfowl.

In fact, it's been designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy.

The largest gatherings of birds in Minnesota - several hundred thousand individuals - happen here. There have been times when more than 1 million birds have descended on the refuge, most of which were duck species.

Ring-necked ducks are the prime users of the habitat, but you'll find plenty of other species on the refuge throughout the year.

Waterfowl such as herons and trumpeter swans are common in warmer weather.

You'll also find all manner of raptors, including northern harriers, which hunt the meadows and wild rice stands that fringe the lake and river.

Several warbler species pass through, breed, or nest on the refuge in the late spring and summer.

And it's not just birds that make their homes here.

Black bears, foxes, and other mammals - including the occasional gray wolf - find the refuge's landscape suitable.

Off the water, the refuge is beautiful any time of year.

Fall leaf peeping is top-notch on the refuge.

Come winter, trails are groomed for cross-country skiing, and the refuge's roads, trails, and frozen waterways are excellent for snowshoeing.

The season is also a prime time to spot the wildlife that over-winters here.

The McGregor area is renowned for its dark skies - and in this part of the world, sometimes the skies dance.

The refuge, itself, is closed after dark. But you can apply for a special use permit, or enjoy the same dark skies on a number of other nearby public lands.

Whether you're going for peace or recreation - or both - you'll find it on the uncrowded lakes at Minnesota's Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Although Rice Lake, itself, is not open to public use, several other lakes on the refuge, including Mandy and Twin Lakes, are. I've visited the refuge in every season, and I've always found something new to enjoy. What I have noticed, though, is that cell service is not always great. That's why I use AllTrails Plus when I hike or paddle on the refuge - it allows me to download maps and use them to navigate offline. It's a pretty handy tool!

Have you visited Rice Lake NWR near McGregor? Tell us about it in the comments!