Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Aitkin County in east central Minnesota, five miles south of the community of McGregor. It was established in 1935 to preserve a 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. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. The refuge contains 14 miles of scenic roads and more than 7 miles of walking trails.

References

Refuge website
{{authority control National Wildlife Refuges in Minnesota Protected areas of Aitkin County, Minnesota Protected areas of Pine County, Minnesota Protected areas established in 1935 Wetlands of Minnesota Landforms of Aitkin County, Minnesota Landforms of Pine County, Minnesota