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Minnesota WMA
Dora Lake Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
741 acres of wildlife management area ground in Le Sueur County, deer permit area 292.
Photo: Chad Davis. (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Dora Lake Wildlife Management Area
Dora Lake WMA on paper: the record in brief
Dora Lake WMA covers 741 acres in Le Sueur County. Among Le Sueur County’s 20 wildlife management areas, it sits 2nd for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 292 is 3-deer limit.
Management sits with the Nicollet area wildlife staff, reachable at nicollet.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Dora Lake WMA: OHF & LCCMR.
Hunted here: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Dora Lake Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Dora Lake WMA
Directions and parking for Dora Lake WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (0 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dora Lake WMA | 741 | Kilkenny | Open | – | DNR |
- Dora Lake WMA: From Kilkenny, go 2.5 miles North and East on CSAH3.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Dora Lake WMA
Dora Lake WMA follows the rules below on top of the statewide booklet.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Dora Lake WMA deer rules: DPA 292
DPA 292 is a 200-series area set to 3-deer limit for 2026. The 3-deer limit in DPA 292 is reached with bonus permits on top of the regular license.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right 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 |
DPA 292 has optional CWD testing. At 393 square miles, DPA 292 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 292 overlaps Le Sueur, Rice and Blue Earth.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Dora Lake WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Dora Lake WMA by its game species list; trapping-only seasons are on the species pages.
| Species | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 292 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 292 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 292 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 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 | |
| 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 |
Zone rows for ducks and furbearers depend on map lines, not on this unit; DNR draws them along highways.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Harvest trend near Dora Lake WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 1,197 deer across DPA 292 (3.31 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 633 | 564 | 1,197 | 3.31 |
| 2024 | 640 | 509 | 1,149 | 3.17 |
| 2023 | 572 | 516 | 1,088 | 3.01 |
| 2022 | 521 | 501 | 1,022 | 2.82 |
| 2021 | 530 | 425 | 955 | 2.64 |
| 2020 | 496 | 613 | 1,109 | 3.06 |
| 2019 | 761 | 677 | 1,438 | 3.00 |
| 2018 | 602 | 642 | 1,244 | 2.60 |
| 2017 | 679 | 695 | 1,374 | 2.87 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Dora Lake WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Dora Lake WMA map point; Anton Velishek Memorial WMA (1.3 mi, east) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anton Velishek Memorial WMA | WMA | 80 | 292 | 1.3 mi | east |
| Delehanty WPA | WPA | 162 | 292 | 2.0 mi | northwest |
| Diamond Lake WMA | WMA | 340 | 292 | 2.5 mi | southwest |
| Gray Fox WMA | WMA | 76 | 292 | 3.4 mi | northeast |
| Factor WMA | WMA | 287 | 292 | 4.5 mi | west |
| Caron Lake AMA | AMA | 86 | 292 | 4.7 mi | southeast |
| Volney Lake AMA | AMA | 1.6 | 292 | 4.8 mi | west |
| Boyd Sartell WMA | WMA | 1,366 | 292 | 4.9 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Le Sueur County around Dora Lake WMA
In Le Sueur County there are 32 records like Dora Lake WMA to choose from. The feeding and attractant ban covers Le Sueur County. For bear, Le Sueur County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 503 and 505 covers the county. Nicollet Area Wildlife Office (Nicollet) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Le Sueur County such as Bur Oak Wildlife Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Gas, food and processors near Dora Lake WMA
Closest town: Kilkenny, 2.2 mi in a straight line from Dora Lake WMA. Most services: Montgomery, population 3,537. The unit page lists Kilkenny as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Owatonna Area Wildlife Office in Owatonna, 30 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilkenny | Le Sueur | 151 | 2.2 mi | southwest |
| Montgomery | Le Sueur | 3,537 | 7.0 mi | north |
| Waterville | Le Sueur | 1,763 | 8.5 mi | south |
| Le Center | Le Sueur | 2,528 | 9.2 mi | west |
| Morristown | Rice | 1,016 | 9.9 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.
Before Dora Lake Wildlife Management Area: public and club ranges
Run by City of Burnsville, Archer Park – Archery Range is 32 miles from Dora Lake Wildlife Management Area. After it come clubs within 30 miles. Target shooting is not allowed on the property itself.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Legal hunting hours worked out for Dora Lake WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Dora Lake WMA; the two closing columns split big game from birds.
| Date | Season | Sunrise | Sunset | First shot | Last, big game | Last, birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:56 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 7:20 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:07 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 7:37 p.m. | 7:07 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:21 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. | 7:11 p.m. | 6:41 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:58 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:26 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:50 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 4:44 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:34 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. | 8:26 p.m. | 7:56 p.m. |
Early teal runs sunrise to sunset.
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.
Pictures that suit a day on Dora Lake WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Dora Lake WMA
What can you hunt on Dora Lake WMA?
Expect deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove on Dora Lake WMA, per the record.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Dora Lake WMA?
It is in deer permit area 292 (3-deer limit). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Which office should I call about Dora Lake WMA?
Dora Lake WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Nicollet office.
What route leads to Dora Lake WMA?
From Kilkenny, go 2.5 miles North and East on CSAH3. Parking points on file: 0.
When is legal light on Dora Lake WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:28 a.m. to 5:28 p.m.; birds stop at 4:58 p.m..
Do deer from Dora Lake WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (292) is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Can decoys or gear stay on Dora Lake WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Where can I hunt public land close to Dora Lake WMA?
The nearest public units are Anton Velishek Memorial WMA (1.3 mi), Delehanty WPA (2.0 mi) and Diamond Lake WMA (2.5 mi).
May the public hunt Dora Lake WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Dora Lake WMA.
Is camping at Dora Lake WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
Dora Lake WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Dora Lake WMA covers 741 acres.
Dora Lake WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Dora Lake WMA can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the final word.
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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0).