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Salo Marsh Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
2,035 acres of public land open to hunters in Aitkin County, with DPA 156 deer dates.
Photo: Lorie Shaull (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Salo Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Salo Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Salo Marsh WMA in brief, from the agency file
2,035 acres of Aitkin County belong to Salo Marsh WMA. Size rank in Aitkin County: 6th of 27 wildlife management areas. DNR splits it into 2 subunits: West 40 Unit (41 ac) and Main Unit (1,993 ac).
For deer it falls in DPA 156, set at antlerless permit lottery for 2026. Questions go to the Aitkin DNR wildlife office at aitkin.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR notes on the habitat: This subunit is managed for deer, ruffed grouse, and woodcock.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, black bear, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Black Bear
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Salo Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Salo Marsh WMA
Each subunit of Salo Marsh WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 3 parking spots.
- West 40 Unit: From Tamarack go 1.5 miles S. on Co. Rd. 16, 1 mile E. on 422nd Street, 1.5 miles S. on township road. Wheelchair access limited to gravel road.
- Main Unit: From Tamarack go 1.5 miles S. on Co. Rd. 16, 1 mile E. on 422nd S. Street, 3 miles S. and E. on 120th Place. This WMA has a carry-in canoe access to the impoundment. Wheelchair access is limited to graveled access road into unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Salo Marsh WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Lawler WMA lies 4.3 mi west of Salo Marsh WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawler WMA | WMA | 235 | 156 | 4.3 mi | west |
| Grayling Marsh WMA | WMA | 9,952 | 173 | 7.9 mi | northwest |
| Firebird WMA | WMA | 727 | 156 | 8.9 mi | southeast |
| McGregor Marsh SNA | SNA | 420 | 156 | 9.1 mi | west |
| Aitkin WPA | WPA | 74 | 155 | 10 mi | west |
| Mcgregor WMA | WMA | 650 | 171, 173 | 11 mi | west |
| Carl Sandell WMA | WMA | 40 | 181 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Red Clover WMA | WMA | 322 | 181 | 12 mi | northeast |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Salo Marsh WMA
Site rules for Salo Marsh WMA, condensed from the record.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- This subunit is surrounded by private land. Respect private property on adjacent lands.
- No wild rice harvesting is allowed on this unit. Respect private property on adjacent lands to the north. Permits are required for beaver and otter trapping.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Salo Marsh WMA season dates
This table covers Salo Marsh WMA only: deer rows follow its DPA, the rest come from its game species list.
| Species | Type | Zone or DPA | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 156 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 156 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 156 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota area 51 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 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 |
Wear blaze orange or pink in the firearms deer season; waterfowl hunters on water are exempt under DNR rules.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Deer seasons on Salo Marsh WMA
100-series DPA 156 carries the antlerless permit lottery designation this year (1,000 lottery permits for antlerless deer). To shoot an antlerless deer with a firearm in DPA 156, declare the area in the lottery by Sept. 10.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Optional CWD testing only in DPA 156. Size of DPA 156: 828 square miles. Carlton, Aitkin and Pine share DPA 156.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Salo Marsh WMA (DPA 156)
The whole of DPA 156 gave up 1,900 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Salo Marsh WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,581 | 319 | 1,900 | 2.30 |
| 2024 | 1,327 | 267 | 1,594 | 1.93 |
| 2023 | 1,066 | 233 | 1,299 | 1.57 |
| 2022 | 1,117 | 989 | 2,106 | 2.55 |
| 2021 | 1,365 | 973 | 2,338 | 2.83 |
| 2020 | 1,207 | 1,219 | 2,426 | 2.94 |
| 2019 | 1,300 | 1,133 | 2,433 | 2.95 |
| 2018 | 1,388 | 1,173 | 2,561 | 3.10 |
| 2017 | 1,826 | 1,889 | 3,715 | 4.50 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Salo Marsh WMA nearby towns
Tamarack is the closest town to Salo Marsh WMA, about 4.4 mi away. The largest nearby is McGregor (378 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Tamarack. For questions, the Aitkin DNR office is 30 mi from Salo Marsh WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarack | Aitkin | 61 | 4.4 mi | northwest |
| Wright | Carlton | 169 | 6.3 mi | northeast |
| McGregor | Aitkin | 378 | 10 mi | west |
| Cromwell | Carlton | 246 | 11 mi | northeast |
| Kettle River | Carlton | 173 | 12 mi | southeast |
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.
Salo Marsh WMA: Aitkin County facts
Counting Salo Marsh WMA, Aitkin County has 43 listed public areas. Aitkin County is one of the feeding ban counties. For bear, Aitkin County lies partly in quota area 51; 2026 permits: 51 (1500 permits). Aitkin County turkey hunters declare area 508. County questions go to Aitkin Area Wildlife Office, Aitkin. 4 places in Aitkin County are closed to hunting, such as Cedar Lake Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Salo Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Salo Marsh Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Minnewawa Sportsmen's Club at 11 miles. No target practice on the property, per its rules.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
A look at the landscape around Salo Marsh WMA
Salo Marsh WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Salo Marsh WMA map point on Central Time; big game ends half an hour after sunset, birds at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Open | Big game close | Birds close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:54 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 7:19 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:21 a.m. | 6:37 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. | 7:07 p.m. | 6:37 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:02 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 4:51 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:32 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 4:29 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:56 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:29 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. | 8:27 p.m. | 7:57 p.m. |
Times are rounded to the minute.
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.
Straight answers on hunting Salo Marsh WMA
Roughly how large is the Salo Marsh WMA unit?
The mapped size is 2,035 acres in 2 subunits.
Can you hunt on Salo Marsh WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Salo Marsh WMA shows open hunting status.
Which species does Salo Marsh WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Salo Marsh WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, black bear, waterfowl and wild turkey.
Which deer permit area holds Salo Marsh WMA?
Salo Marsh WMA falls in DPA 156, antlerless permit lottery. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
Who do I call about Salo Marsh WMA?
Salo Marsh WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Aitkin office).
Where is the access for Salo Marsh WMA?
From Tamarack go 1.5 miles S. on Co. Rd. 16, 1 mile E. on 422nd Street, 1.5 miles S. on township road. The map above shows 3 parking pins.
How early does shooting start at Salo Marsh WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:32 a.m., done by 5:21 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Salo Marsh WMA?
DNR lists DPA 156 as outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Can I leave a stand on Salo Marsh WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Salo Marsh WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Salo Marsh WMA?
Next-closest public land: Lawler WMA (4.3 mi), Grayling Marsh WMA (7.9 mi) and Firebird WMA (8.9 mi).
Can I camp on Salo Marsh WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Salo Marsh WMA: three things to confirm first
Carry your license, validate a deer or turkey at the kill site and register it (48 hours for deer and bear, 24 for turkey).
Sources: source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0).