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Hunting Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in 2026-27
What we could verify about Rose Lake State Wildlife Area: acreage, units, area rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: Arturo Vez (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
- Rose Lake Shooting RangeParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 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.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area at a glance
Look for Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in Clinton and Shiawassee counties; the record files it as a DNR state wildlife area. For DNR purposes it falls in the Southwest Lower Peninsula Region. Management rests with the DNR Wildlife Division. Out of 15 state wildlife areas, its 4,089 acres put it in place 7. The DNR prints 4,071 acres for it. It has a row on the DNR game and wildlife areas list. Roughly 4 miles north of Haslett.
From the source page (MI DNR Wildlife Property Boundary GIS Acres field); region from the DNR wildlife region layer. Checked October 22, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Quarry and limits at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area carries no game list of its own. Any season open where it lies is fair game, within the area rules.
Clinton County seasons cover White-tailed deer, Wild turkey, Ruffed grouse, Woodcock and Pheasant and more: 23 species in 45 rows.
Species from the source (The DNR list gives no species for this area; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations.); bag limits from the DNR regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area: drawn and stocked hunting
Release site, 2026: Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties). Releases cover the Oct. 20-Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1 seasons. Adults pay $25 for the pheasant license here.
From the DNR small game summary. Checked October 22, 2026.
Units and limits for Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Hunting zone: Zone 3, in the Southern Lower Peninsula. The zone layer still draws the old Limited Firearm Deer Zone over it, but that zone was eliminated for 2026: every legal firearm may now be used across the Lower Peninsula. The universal antlerless use limit for Clinton County is 5. Antlerless firearm hunting in Clinton County includes the September and December-January seasons. Turkey units: ZZ in spring, I in fall (spring 2027 dates not yet set). South Zone ducks: Oct 17-Dec 13 and Dec 26-Dec 27. The DNR has confirmed CWD in wild deer from Clinton County.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area: DMUs and antlerless limits
| Unit | Name | Antlerless | Use limit | Antler rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 486 | Southern Lower Peninsula multicounty | – | By county | None |
| DMU 333 | Core CWD area | – | By county | None |
| DMU 019 | Clinton county | Open | 5 | None |
| DMU 078 | Shiawassee county | Open | 5 | None |
BMUs over Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
| BMU | Hunts | Quota 2026 | Points | 2025 bears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dansville | No bear hunt | – | – | – |
Turkey hunting units over Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
| Unit | Reported | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spring ZZ | 13,292 | Unit total 2026 |
| Fall I | 822 | Unit total, to date |
Zones from the DNR 2026 zone layers as recorded in lands.json; DMU status and APR from the Wildlife Conservation Order; use limits from the 2026 deer summary; BMU hunts and quotas from the 2026 bear summary and bear registration data; turkey from the DNR turkey harvest report; CWD lists from the DNR CWD rules. Checked October 22, 2026.
Map: Rose Lake State Wildlife Area and the public tracts around it
Smaller pins show 10 nearby public tracts around Rose Lake State Wildlife Area. Acres across them: 11,601.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleepy Hollow | State park | 2,396 | 9.2 mi | north |
| Muskrat Lake | State game area | 207 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Windsor Township | State game area | 328 | 17 mi | southwest |
| Lake Interstate | State game area | 122 | 18 mi | southwest |
| Dansville | State game area | 5,003 | 20 mi | south |
| Potterville | State game area | 445 | 23 mi | southwest |
| Grand River Gale Road | State game area | 143 | 24 mi | southwest |
| Oak Grove | State game area | 2,390 | 24 mi | east |
| Hillcrest | State game area | 257 | 25 mi | southeast |
| Maple River Gratiot-Saginaw Connector | State game area | 310 | 25 mi | north |
Points from the DNR wildlife, GEMS, parks, forest, USFS, USFWS and NPS layers (MI DNR Wildlife Property Boundary GIS (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area: what is allowed
How access works at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Public access at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area follows the state calendar. The only ground off limits is what is posted: refuges, safety zones and closed areas. Blinds and stands must meet the DNR public-land rules.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area: what the regulation summaries require
- Stands may be placed from Sept. 1 and must be gone by March 1. Portable models only, ID attached, no screw-in steps.
- Blind rule on public land: portable ones removed daily, dead-material ones need no label, constructed ones need ID and are out on Zone 3 game areas and parks.
- Wear a hunter orange cap, hat, vest, jacket or rain gear from Aug. 15 through April 30; bowhunters in archery seasons, turkey hunters and most migratory bird hunters are exempt.
- Within 72 hours of recovering a deer or turkey, report it on the DNR site or the Hunt Fish app.
- The 450-foot (150-yard) safety zone around occupied buildings applies.
- Food plots are not allowed on public ground.
- Deer baiting and feeding are banned across the Lower Peninsula, this area included.
- During the Nov. 15-30 firearm season, ORVs and snowmobiles are off public hunting land 7-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m.
The license bill for Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Start with the base license, then add the deer, turkey, waterfowl or pheasant license you need, on eLicense or in the Hunt Fish app. Universal antlerless use is limited by county or UP unit.
Access from the source page; public-land stand, blind, safety-zone and food-plot rules from the DNR deer regulations summary; hunter orange from MCL 324.40116; prices from the 2026 license fee tables. Checked October 22, 2026.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area hunting calendar
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area rows run from the September Liberty Hunt and bear periods through the late coyote, fox and bobcat dates.
| Game | Hunt | Unit | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early antlerless firearm | Listed antlerless county | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Liberty Hunt | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, early | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Independence Hunt | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular firearm | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Archery, late | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | December firearm | Lower Peninsula | Dec 4, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late antlerless firearm | Listed antlerless county | Dec 7, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall unit I | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Fall first part | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Fall second part | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Fall | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Fall | Zone 3 | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | December | Zone 3 | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Fall | Open quail county | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Fox and gray squirrel | Private-land season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| Fox and gray squirrel | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Private-land season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Regular | Statewide | Sep 15, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Crow | Summer | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Crow | Late winter | Statewide | Feb 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Veterans days | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Waterfowl | Youth weekend | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 1 | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 2 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Dark geese | Dark goose part 4 | South Zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 1 | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 2 | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 3 | South Zone | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light goose part 4 | South Zone | Feb 6, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Management season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Hunting | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Management season | Statewide | Mar 2, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Coyote | Regular hunting | Statewide | Oct 15, 2026 | Mar 1, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | Bobcat Unit H | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 11, 2027 | |
| Feral swine | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Opossum | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Skunk | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Woodchuck | Year-round | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2026 hunting regulation summaries (deer, bear, elk, turkey, small game, waterfowl and furbearer editions), checked October 22, 2026.
Reported deer and turkeys near Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
The 2025 reported total for Clinton County was 6,947 deer (3,311 antlered). 2025 was the busiest year on the chart (6,947 deer), 2023 the leanest (5,935). License year 2026 is still running; 1,281 deer reported by Oct. 22. Spring 2026 turkey reports for Clinton County: 356 birds. The numbers are for Clinton County, the main county of Rose Lake State Wildlife Area. These numbers cover the country around Rose Lake State Wildlife Area, not the property alone.
Deer reported near Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 480 | 801 | 1,281 |
| 2025 | 3,311 | 3,636 | 6,947 |
| 2024 | 3,341 | 3,272 | 6,613 |
| 2023 | 3,236 | 2,699 | 5,935 |
| 2022 | 3,441 | 2,774 | 6,215 |
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area: deer units, 2025
Clinton County turkey harvest
| Item | Birds |
|---|---|
| Spring reported | 356 |
| Fall to date | 14 |
| Fall 2025 | 25 |
| Fall hunters | 204 |
Deer from the DNR Harvest Report Summary (mandatory reporting; 2026 season to date); CWD from the DNR CWD testing data; turkeys from the turkey harvest report and the 2025 fall survey. Checked October 22, 2026.
Base camps, butchers and DNR desks around Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Towns first; the services after them are in this county or the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haslett | Ingham | 3.8 mi | – | 3,970 |
| Shaftsburg | Shiawassee | 4.2 mi | – | 4,659 |
| Lake Victoria | Clinton | 7.8 mi | – | 6,379 |
| Lansing | Ingham | 11 mi | 114,336 | 1,375 |
County pages that cover this ground: Clinton County, Shiawassee County.
Processors, mounts and gun counters near Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Local DNR and federal offices for Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
The DNR area list points to Rose Lake Wildlife Field Office.
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 22, 2026. Call ahead.
Hunting events at or near Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Rows marked On site use this property as the venue; the rest are within about 10 miles. 1 upcoming event in all.
Dates ahead
| Date | Event | Mi | Where | Sign up | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 19–20, 2027 | SCI Lansing Area Chapter 2027 Banquet & Fundraiser / Banquet | 4 | Eagle Eye Banquet Center in Bath (Clinton Co.) | Buy tickets | Source |
When the hunting day opens and closes at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
Ducks and geese stop at sunset and early teal and woodcock start at sunrise; these deer times are for big game and most small game.
| Date | Moment | Zone A hours | Zone B hours | Zone C hours | Zone D hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:59 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 7:58 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Independence Hunt | 7:15 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Firearm opener | 6:53 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:54 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 6:06 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Firearm close | 7:11 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
| Dec 5, 2026 | December hunts | 7:16 a.m. to 5:39 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. to 5:51 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late archery close | 7:31 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. | 7:37 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:43 a.m. to 5:52 p.m. | 7:49 a.m. to 5:58 p.m. |
Zone A times from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer hunting hours table, zone offsets from the DNR hunting hours map legend, checked October 22, 2026. Hunting hours for every zone.
Zero your rifle at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
The DNR range here: Rose Lake Shooting Range.
Set up for rifle, handgun, muzzleloader, shotgun, archery
- Only paper targets of the bull’s-eye or game kind, and no metal at staffed lines.
From the DNR shooting page and its range pages, checked October 22, 2026.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area hunting questions, short answers
Which deer units take in Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
DMU 486, 333 and 019. Clinton County caps antlerless use at 5.
Are some animals off limits at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
The record lists none, which means all open seasons, within the area rules.
Is Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in a spring turkey unit?
Spring ZZ and fall I.
Is there a bear season at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
Dansville for bear. Dansville BMU has no bear season.
Is Rose Lake State Wildlife Area under the Lower Peninsula baiting ban?
Deer bait is illegal here. Clinton County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Is Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in the North, Middle or South Zone?
South Zone for ducks and geese. Shotguns hold 3 shells and fire non-toxic shot.
How many hours do I have to report a Rose Lake State Wildlife Area deer?
Within 72 hours of recovery or before the animal changes hands.
Can bowhunters skip orange at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
Hunter pink is an approved alternative; the rule runs Aug. 15 to April 30.
Is an extra permit required for Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
Residents pay $11 for the base license and $40 for the deer combo.
What are the blind rules at Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
From Sept. 1; they must be gone by March 1.
Which division or agency runs Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
It is a DNR state wildlife area, run by the DNR Wildlife Division.
Which other areas sit within reach of Rose Lake State Wildlife Area?
Nearest neighbors: Sleepy Hollow State Park (9 miles), Muskrat Lake State Game Area (13 miles) and Windsor Township State Game Area (17 miles).
Which town makes a good base for a Rose Lake State Wildlife Area hunt?
Clinton and Shiawassee counties, roughly 4 miles from Haslett.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area wrap-up
Print the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area map, carry your licenses, and check the agency page the week you go.
Sources for this page: Michigan DNR: state wildlife game areas list · DNR GIS; regulations from the 2026 Michigan hunting regulation summaries. Checked October 22, 2026.
Other photos on this page: robin_ottawa (CC BY-SA 2.0); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0).