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Minnesota WMA
Indian Lake Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
625 acres of wildlife management area ground in Sibley County, deer permit area 284.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Indian Lake Wildlife Management Area
Indian Lake WMA on paper: the record in brief
Indian Lake WMA covers 625 acres in Sibley County. Among Sibley County’s 18 wildlife management areas, it sits 1st for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 284 is either-sex.
Management sits with the Nicollet area wildlife staff, reachable at nicollet.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Indian Lake WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
DNR describes the unit this way: Access to the south end of the WMA requires a 1/4-mile walk from the township road. An addition along CSAH 10 was seeded to prairie grasses and wildflowers in 2002. A food plot has been established at the south end of the unit.
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 Indian Lake Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Indian Lake WMA
Directions and parking for Indian Lake WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (0 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Lake WMA | 625 | Winthrop | Open | – | DNR |
- Indian Lake WMA: From Winthrop, go 2 1/2 miles N on SH 15 then 2 1/2 miles E on CSAH 10. Wheelchair access is limited to primitive access lane, parking lot, and adjacent county and township roads.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Indian Lake WMA
Indian 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.
Indian Lake WMA deer rules: DPA 284
DPA 284 is a 200-series area set to either-sex for 2026. A buck or a doe both count in DPA 284 this year.
| 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 |
Surveillance block: bring adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 for sampling. At 856 square miles, DPA 284 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 284 overlaps Sibley, McLeod, Renville, Meeker and Nicollet.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Indian Lake WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Indian 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 284 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 284 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 284 | 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 Indian Lake WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 714 deer across DPA 284 (0.85 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 482 | 232 | 714 | 0.85 |
| 2024 | 507 | 168 | 675 | 0.81 |
| 2023 | 435 | 170 | 605 | 0.72 |
| 2022 | 453 | 165 | 618 | 0.74 |
| 2021 | 434 | 147 | 581 | 0.69 |
| 2020 | 398 | 154 | 552 | 0.66 |
| 2019 | 397 | 145 | 542 | 0.65 |
| 2018 | 336 | 158 | 494 | 0.59 |
| 2017 | 373 | 154 | 527 | 0.63 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Indian Lake WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Indian Lake WMA map point; Alfsborg WMA (4.0 mi, southwest) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfsborg WMA | WMA | 73 | 284 | 4.0 mi | southwest |
| Windot WMA | WMA | 11 | 290 | 5.5 mi | south |
| Penn WMA | WMA | 90 | 284 | 5.6 mi | north |
| McLeod WPA | WPA | 198 | 284 | 5.9 mi | north |
| Kujas Lake WMA | WMA | 116 | 284 | 6.2 mi | northwest |
| Spiering WMA | WMA | 157 | 284 | 6.4 mi | north |
| Hahn Lake WPA | WPA | 183 | 284 | 6.5 mi | northeast |
| Ward Lake WMA | WMA | 71 | 284 | 6.8 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Sibley County around Indian Lake WMA
In Sibley County there are 28 records like Indian Lake WMA to choose from. The feeding and attractant ban covers Sibley County. For bear, Sibley County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 506 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 Sibley County such as Boerner 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 Indian Lake WMA
Closest town: Winthrop, 2.4 mi in a straight line from Indian Lake WMA. Most services: Gaylord, population 2,334. The unit page lists Winthrop as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is New Ulm Area Wildlife Office in New Ulm, 21 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop | Sibley | 1,332 | 2.4 mi | southwest |
| Gaylord | Sibley | 2,334 | 5.9 mi | east |
| New Auburn | Sibley | 413 | 8.6 mi | northeast |
| Lafayette | Nicollet | 469 | 9.0 mi | south |
| Gibbon | Sibley | 788 | 9.9 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.
Near Indian Lake Wildlife Management Area on the calendar
1 upcoming event here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Dates ahead
| Held on | Event | Away | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | South Central Dinner Event (Gibbon), a DU dinner | 10 | Gibbon Community Center | Buy tickets | Source |
Before Indian Lake Wildlife Management Area: public and club ranges
Run by City of Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie (City of) is 47 miles from Indian 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 Indian Lake WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Indian 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 | 6:59 a.m. | 7:23 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 7:23 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:08 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 7:40 p.m. | 7:10 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:25 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:02 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:30 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:54 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:37 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. | 8:29 p.m. | 7:59 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 Indian Lake WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Indian Lake WMA
What can you hunt on Indian Lake WMA?
Expect deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove on Indian Lake WMA, per the record.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Indian Lake WMA?
It is in deer permit area 284 (either-sex). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Which office should I call about Indian Lake WMA?
Indian Lake WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Nicollet office.
What route leads to Indian Lake WMA?
From Winthrop, go 2 1/2 miles N on SH 15 then 2 1/2 miles E on CSAH 10. Parking points on file: 0.
When is legal light on Indian Lake WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:32 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; birds stop at 5:00 p.m..
Do deer from Indian Lake WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (284) is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can decoys or gear stay on Indian 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 Indian Lake WMA?
The nearest public units are Alfsborg WMA (4.0 mi), Windot WMA (5.5 mi) and Penn WMA (5.6 mi).
May the public hunt Indian Lake WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Indian Lake WMA.
Is camping at Indian Lake WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
Indian Lake WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Indian Lake WMA covers 625 acres.
Indian Lake WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Indian 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: Pictures by Ann (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).