Foraging is an exciting way to explore the outdoors and bring home nature's bounty. Knowing what and where you can harvest, and what should be left untouched, is essential information for foragers.
If you’re foraging on land managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this varies and depends on the type of DNR-managed land you are visiting. Some sort of foraging is allowed on about 5 million acres of DNR-managed land.
Try our foraging finder!
This interactive tool will tell you what public lands you can forage for your desired harvest on.
Ready to start?What and where can I forage?
You can forage a variety of things from DNR-managed lands, including mushrooms, nuts, berries, and several plants. But how much you can collect and whether you need a permit depends on what you want to harvest and where you are.
Each land type has a unique purpose set by Minnesota statute. Foraging rules vary in each of these spaces. Check out the foraging page for each land type to find rules and guidance on what and how you can forage – and whether you need a permit.
Where can I forage for a certain species?
If you know what you're looking for but aren't sure where you can forage for it, try our foraging finder. This simple tool identifies what type of DNR-managed land allows foraging by species. We have included the most commonly requested species in the foraging finder – it is by no means a complete list. If you don’t see something in the finder, visit the foraging pages by land type to help narrow your search.
* This tool is intended to provide a high-level summary of the foraging laws and rules in the state of Minnesota. If you need clarification, please contact the applicable land type manager. The DNR office locator can help you find the closest office.
Preparing to forage
The Minnesota DNR’s Recreation Compass helps you identify state lands in your area and identify what type of state lands they are to help you follow foraging guidance, laws, and rules.
Please think of others seeking to forage and only take what you and your family will use. Take small amounts to ensure the long-term sustainability of all natural resources. Regenerative harvest methods are invaluable to ensure others have positive experiences and that foragers don’t overharvest resources, leading to localized or population impacts. While foraging, you should also follow other rules and laws that apply to all public land:
- Dispose of waste properly. Pack out all trash, including food scraps and wrappers, to leave the area pristine for the next visitor.
- Keep pets under control.
- Respect wildlife. Observe animals from a distance.
- Be considerate of others.
- Follow noxious weed transportation laws.
What cannot be harvested?
Be thoughtful and know the rules before harvesting a plant. In many cases, you can’t forage a plant if it’s destroyed or damaged upon harvest. Species protected due to rarity are not allowed for harvest on any Minnesota lands. You can’t take, import, transport, or sell any portion of an endangered or threatened species. Check out the list to make sure you follow the law.
Some plants have their own, specific regulations. Check out the details on these species before harvesting.
A word to the wise, know if your desired species is on the noxious weed list before you head out. You might need to take some special precautions.
Safety
Improperly identified wild foods can pose serious health risks. Make sure you know how to properly identify and prepare wild foods before eating them, and do so at your own risk. Be safe and enjoy your harvest.
Prevent the spread of invasive species
Trampling and going off-trail can introduce and spread invasive species. Please stay on trail to reduce disturbance in state parks.
Jumping worms, their eggs, and invasive plant seeds can all be spread in soil moved with collected mushrooms.
Make sure to have clean boots and gear.
Resources
Advisory group
The Foraging on State Lands Advisory Group provides recommendations and shares information about foraging on DNR-managed lands. If you are interested in foraging or assisting the DNR in developing additional foraging related resources, please consider applying for DNR’s Foraging on State Lands Advisory Group.
Other resources
- DNR Outdoor skills webinars
- Bountiful berries
- Gathering wild-grown plants and fungi | UMN Extension
- Minnesota Mycological Society