7229 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN 55803

Club Overview

Welcome to the United Northern Sportsmen Conservation Club.  Organized in 1946 by a group of thirteen outdoor enthusiasts, over the years, we have grown to a membership of over 1400.  A short twenty-five mile drive up the Rice Lake Road from downtown Duluth just past the Island Lake Inn will bring you to our clubhouse and facilities.  Located on the shores of beautiful Island Lake, we are a private club with a number of attractive outdoor amenities for the enjoyment of our members.  They include four shooting ranges one each for rifles, pistols, archery and shotguns, a 37 site campground, lakeside picnic area, concrete boat launch, docking, and, of course, a swimming area.

One of our organization goals is to support the conservation and wise use of Minnesota’s natural resources.  Many of our efforts and activities center around youth and encouraging them to become aware of and involved in what the outdoors has to offer.  In addition, we are a club that contributes to the local community by supporting and donating to worthwhile outdoor activities.  At our facilities, each year we sponsor a youth fishing class in June, a summer youth outdoor field day in August, the deer hunter rifle sight-in during the fall, and our winter ice fishing contest.  These events are open to the public.

Joining United Northern Sportsmen offers something for anyone interested in the outdoors.  And it offers to those inclined the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents to help put on events and to maintain our facility.

As a member you receive 14 days of camping to use each season. The camping season starts May 1st and goes until October 15th. Enjoy a quick weekend getaway or a vacation away from home.  Sit back and relax around a cozy fire, fishing,  watching one of the beautiful Northern Minnesota sunsets, or stargazing. Additional camping days can be earned by volunteering. The entire campground is first come first serve, reserving campsites is prohibited.

A camp host is on site during the camping season to assist and check membership on arrival. 

Ranges

Members have access to a wide variety of outdoor ranges including a Large Bore Range, Small Bore Range, Trap Range, and Archery range. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Range Hours are from 8:00 am to 1/2 Hour before sunset.

Large Bore Range

Small Bore Range

Trap Range

Archery Range

Range Rules

Always be alert for people, pets, and wildlife downrange.

Report unsafe behavior to 218-721-4843 or the campground host when available.

  • Ranges are open 8:00 am to 1/2 hr. before sunset. All ranges are closed on Mondays.
  • Children under the age of 18 years of age must be with a parent or legal guardian member at all times on all shooting ranges and archery areas.
  • Eye and Ear protection is required for all people on the range.
  • All firearms are unloaded and cased when not on the firing line. Remove guns from their cases pointing down range on the benches provided. Always keep muzzles pointed down range.
  • DO NOT touch firearms when people are down range.
  • Loaded firearms shall not be left unattended at any time.
  • All shooting is to be controlled and aimed at targets straight down range only. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • No one is allowed in front of the firing line while firing at the rifle range.
  • All firearm actions must be open unless aiming and shooting.
  • NO ALCOHOL OR FDA CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES shall be used prior to or during range use.
  • Paper targets only. No metal, wood, glass, exploding targets, or plastic material.
  • Only UNS authorized metal gongs can be used on the 200- and 300-yard ranges.
  • Only clay pigeons can be used on the trap range.
  • Targets shall only be placed in the target holders at the backstop. All targets are placed at the BOTTOM of the back stop – NOT AT THE TOP.
  • Anyone not shooting or spotting must remain behind shooting range divider when range is active.
  • Centerfire rifles, black-powder arms, shotguns, or handguns larger than 45 caliber are prohibited on the pistol range.
  • Fully automatic firearms, and trigger activators, bump stocks, or machine gun conversion kits are prohibited as per State of Minnesota Law MS609.67
  • Remove all targets when it’s safe and you are done shooting.
  • Pick up your spent brass and put in the buckets on the ranges.
  • Pick up your trash and take it with you.

As a member of our club you have access to a private boat launch that’s located next to our lakeside campsites. We have several docks available to park your boat.

Membership Information

We welcome new members. Membership includes use of the Club’s Island Lake Retreat with shooting ranges, picnic grounds, primitive camping, boat launching and water facilities plus 12 issues of the clubs monthly newsletter Sportsmen’s News electronically. On arrival, members should have their membership card ready to go for any UNS staff that may ask them for membership verification. 


Board meetings meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month via Zoom. We will not have membership meetings except for the December membership meeting.

The only membership meeting will be held in December. It will be an ‘in-person’ meeting held at the UNS Retreat building.

The club sponsors events that promote youth outdoor education and Conservation efforts for individuals and families. Our goal is to enhance the overall outdoor experience for the community. 

2023 Events

Annual Ice Fishing Tournament: 2/19/23
School of Fish: 6/10/23
Youth Outdoor Field Day: 8/05/23
FireArms Safety Course for Youth: 10/#/22