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WMA in Jackson County
Hunting Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Jackson County, 865 acres.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area
Heron Lake WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 865 acres at Heron Lake WMA, which lies in Jackson County. By size it ranks 2nd of the 32 wildlife management areas we list in Jackson County. The 4 subunits are North Heron Unit (238 ac), North Marsh Unit (176 ac), West Heron Unit (396 ac) and South Heron Unit (55 ac).
DPA 250 sets the deer limit here: either-sex this year. The managing office is Windom (DNR Wildlife), windom.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Heron Lake WMA.
What the DNR page says about it: Wildlife sanctuary subunit(s) (DNR flag): Heron Lake WMA: West Heron Unit; check posted sanctuary/no-trespass periods.
Listed game: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Heron Lake WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Heron Lake WMA, taken from the managing agency.
| What | Rule here |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Regular seasons |
| Vehicles | Designated roads, lots |
| Target shooting | Not allowed |
| Guns in transit | Cased, unloaded |
| Camping | Designated or permit |
| Portable stands, blinds | Remove daily |
| Overnight stands, northwest | Nov 1-Dec 31 |
| Dogs | Leash Apr 16-Jul 14 |
| Drones | Not allowed |
| Gear left overnight | Not allowed |
- The portion of the WMA located north of 860th Street, South of Division Creek and West of South Heron Lake is a Wildlife Sanctuary. No trespass is allowed from September 1 to the last day of the regular waterfowl season.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Deer on Heron Lake WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Heron Lake WMA fall under DPA 250: either-sex, 200 series. No lottery in DPA 250: either sex on the regular license.
| Deer window | From | To | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Mandatory CWD sampling applies Nov. 7-8 (2026 surveillance block). DPA 250 spans 730 square miles. DPA 250 reaches Jackson, Cottonwood and Nobles counties.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Alerts posted for Heron Lake WMA
- CWD sampling is mandatory on Heron Lake WMA for adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 this year, per the DNR visitor alert.
- CWD sampling is mandatory on Heron Lake WMA for adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 this year, per the DNR visitor alert.
DNR WMA visitor alerts on the unit page; checked October 28, 2026. CWD rules.
Heron Lake WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Heron Lake WMA season dates for 2026-27, picked by its game species list and its deer permit area.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 250 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 250 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 250 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rabbits, hares | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbit | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (north) | North furbearer zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (south) | South furbearer zone | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Furbearer rows list both zones: the line follows I-94 and US 10, so check which side of it you hunt.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Heron Lake WMA: access points
4 parking points and the route text DNR posts for Heron Lake WMA.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Heron Unit | 238 | Heron Lake | Open | 1 | DNR |
| North Marsh Unit | 176 | Heron Lake | Open | – | DNR |
| West Heron Unit | 396 | Okabena | Open | 3 | DNR |
| South Heron Unit | 55 | Lakefield | Open | – | DNR |
- North Heron Unit: From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then .75 mile E on township rd
- North Marsh Unit: From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then .75 E on township rd
- West Heron Unit: From Okabena, go 2 miles S on CSAH 20 then 1.5 miles E on township rd
- South Heron Unit: From Lakefield, go 3 miles W on CSAH 20 to the WMA on the East (right) side of the road.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Heron Lake WMA
When Heron Lake WMA is crowded, Heron Meadows WMA sits 3.9 mi away to the northwest.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heron Meadows WMA | WMA | 200 | 250 | 3.9 mi | northwest |
| Teal Lake WMA | WMA | 124 | 250 | 4.4 mi | northeast |
| Valleau WMA | WMA | 309 | 250 | 4.8 mi | northwest |
| Timber Lake WPA | WPA | 532 | 250 | 5.0 mi | northeast |
| Crosse WMA | WMA | 67 | 250 | 5.6 mi | northwest |
| Timber Lake WMA | WMA | 907 | 250 | 6.3 mi | northeast |
| Rost WPA | WPA | 33 | 250 | 6.3 mi | south |
| Two Sheds WMA | WMA | 151 | 250 | 7.1 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Heron Lake WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Okabena lies 2.4 mi from Heron Lake WMA. For more services, Lakefield (1,710) is 6.6 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Heron Lake. Nearest DNR desk: Windom Area Wildlife Office, 12 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okabena | Jackson | 201 | 2.4 mi | west |
| Heron Lake | Jackson | 592 | 4.8 mi | northwest |
| Lakefield | Jackson | 1,710 | 6.6 mi | southeast |
| Wilder | Jackson | 57 | 6.9 mi | northeast |
| Brewster | Nobles | 500 | 10 mi | west |
Towns from the 2024 Census gazetteer and population estimates; offices and businesses from services.json (DNR and business listings, chain stores and license agents left out); straight-line miles. Checked October 28, 2026.
Heron Lake WMA: deer taken in DPA 250
505 deer were registered in DPA 250 during 2025, 0.71 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 401 | 104 | 505 | 0.71 |
| 2024 | 334 | 145 | 479 | 0.67 |
| 2023 | 345 | 152 | 497 | 0.70 |
| 2022 | 411 | 150 | 561 | 0.79 |
| 2021 | 396 | 136 | 532 | 0.75 |
| 2020 | 413 | 124 | 537 | 0.75 |
| 2019 | 394 | 141 | 535 | 0.75 |
| 2018 | 384 | 137 | 521 | 0.73 |
| 2017 | 363 | 162 | 525 | 0.74 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Heron Lake WMA and the rest of Jackson County
Jackson County has 63 public hunting areas on file, Heron Lake WMA among them. Local rule: Jackson County restricts deer firearms to shotguns (shotgun-only ordinance). Jackson County lies in the bear no-quota area. The county sits in turkey permit area 504. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: Windom Area Wildlife Office, (507) 832-6025. Not every public place in Jackson County is open: Des Moines River Scientific and Natural Area is closed to hunting.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops at Heron Lake WMA
Sun times computed for Heron Lake WMA itself, since the 2026 booklet prints no tables.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal from | Big game to | Waterfowl to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:11 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. | 7:43 p.m. | 7:13 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:31 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:55 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 p.m. |
Pheasant hours start at 9 a.m.
Hours rule from the DNR booklet shooting hours page; sun times calculated for the unit point (NOAA method, Central Time); checked October 28, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunts and banquets nearby
DU gun or purse bingo: 1 upcoming event, on site or a few miles away.
Booked dates
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 | Jackson County Fall Bingo Event, a DU gun or purse bingo | 2 | Okabena American Legion | Buy tickets | Source |
Ranges a Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area hunter can reach
From Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Horse Barn & Hunt Club at 6 miles; public ranges on file are over 60 miles away. Plinking on the property is not allowed.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Heron Lake WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Heron Lake WMA, short answers
What game species does Heron Lake WMA list?
The agency names deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and mourning dove for Heron Lake WMA.
What deer permit area is Heron Lake WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 250: either-sex. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Heron Lake WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Heron Lake WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its Windom office.
How do you get to Heron Lake WMA?
From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then .75 mile E on township rd 4 parking spots on the DNR map.
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Heron Lake WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:34 a.m. and ends at 5:36 p.m. at the Heron Lake WMA point.
Heron Lake WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 250 is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can blinds stay up overnight at Heron Lake WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Heron Lake WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: Heron Meadows WMA (3.9 mi), Teal Lake WMA (4.4 mi) and Valleau WMA (4.8 mi).
Does Heron Lake WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Heron Lake WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Heron Lake WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
Heron Lake WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 865 acres in 4 subunits.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0).