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WMA · Central region
Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Morrison County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) adds 714 acres of public ground to Morrison County. Line up the 18 wildlife management areas in Morrison County by acres and Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) comes 4th. Its deer permit area is 214; the 2026 designation there is 3-deer limit.
DNR runs Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) from its Little Falls area office; email littlefalls.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County): Pittman-Robertson.
In DNR's words: Mud Lake is one of two basins in Morrison County has had a documented history of canvasback use.
Species on the record: 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 Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County); the map pins its 3 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrison County Unit | 714 | Little Falls | Open | 3 | DNR |
- Morrison County Unit: From Little Falls, go 5 miles west on highway 27, then 2 miles north on township road (70th Ave.), then west 1/2 mile to south parking lot. Public access to the WMA is via one parking lot on the east side of County Road 1 on the west end of the WMA, and from the parking lot and access road on the south end of the WMA on the north side of 170th Street.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County).
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- Visitors to this unit should be aware that there is an 8 acre, 300 ft. x 1,200 ft. no firearms discharge zone along part of the west boundary of the WMA. This zone was established and posted with orange restricted area signs in 2006 to comply with M.S. 97B.001 after receiving a request by the adjoining landowner to provide relief from disturbance by firearms on livestock occupying a barn and corral close to the boundary.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) and deer permit area 214
The 2026 designation for DPA 214 is 3-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 214 allows 3 deer, so bonus permits come into play after the first deer.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Early antlerless | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
It is also in the 2026 surveillance block, with mandatory CWD sampling Nov. 7-8. The DPA covers 561 square miles. DPA 214 counties: Todd, Morrison and Wadena.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)
Dated seasons that apply on Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) (44 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 214 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 214 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 214 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 214 | 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 |
Waterfowl rows show the North, Central and South zones because DNR draws those lines on highways (MN 210/23/39, US 212/I-494/I-94), not by unit; check the DNR map.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
DPA 214 harvest, the area around Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)
Harvest numbers below are DPA 214 totals (4,781 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County).
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,236 | 2,545 | 4,781 | 8.63 |
| 2024 | 2,109 | 2,271 | 4,380 | 7.90 |
| 2023 | 1,685 | 2,378 | 4,063 | 7.33 |
| 2022 | 1,759 | 2,374 | 4,133 | 7.46 |
| 2021 | 2,103 | 2,909 | 5,012 | 9.05 |
| 2020 | 2,238 | 3,242 | 5,480 | 9.89 |
| 2019 | 2,061 | 2,528 | 4,589 | 8.28 |
| 2018 | 1,863 | 2,593 | 4,456 | 8.04 |
| 2017 | 1,893 | 2,794 | 4,687 | 8.46 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) and its parking; Culdrum WMA is the nearest neighbor at 4.1 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culdrum WMA | WMA | 31 | 214 | 4.1 mi | southwest |
| Little Elk WMA | WMA | 1,476 | 214 | 5.6 mi | northwest |
| Otter Point WMA | WMA | 34 | 221 | 9.1 mi | east |
| Clare Johnson – Carl W. Schmidt WMA | WMA | 702 | 215 | 9.9 mi | southwest |
| Ereaux WMA | WMA | 731 | 221 | 10 mi | east |
| Ruff-Nik WMA | WMA | 1,059 | 214 | 10 mi | northwest |
| Lake Alexander Woods SNA | SNA | 1,988 | 248 | 11 mi | north |
| Sponsa WMA | WMA | 218 | 215 | 13 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Morrison County adds to a Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) trip
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) is one of 27 public places we list in Morrison County. Quota bear area 45 overlaps the county (45 (700 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508 and 507. Area wildlife office: Little Falls Area Wildlife Office ((320) 232-1063). Do not mistake Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) for closed Morrison County ground such as Little Rock Creek Aquatic Management Area and Ripley Esker Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Supplies and help close to Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)
From Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) the nearest town is Flensburg (4.8 mi). Little Falls, with 9,206 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Little Falls. DNR staff closest to Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) work out of Little Falls (8.3 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flensburg | Morrison | 210 | 4.8 mi | south |
| Randall | Morrison | 614 | 5.0 mi | north |
| Sobieski | Morrison | 218 | 6.7 mi | south |
| Little Falls | Morrison | 9,206 | 8.0 mi | east |
| Swanville | Morrison | 337 | 9.0 mi | southwest |
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.
Events at or near Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area
Checked October 28, 2026: 2 upcoming events at or near the property (DU gun or purse bingo and NWTF hunting heritage fundraiser).
Still to come
| Dates | What | How far | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13, 2026 | Morrison County DU Bags & Barrels Winter Bingo Dec 2026 (Little Falls), a DU gun or purse bingo | 8 | Rice Creek Hunt Club (Little Falls) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Morrison Co. Wild Gobblers Hunting Heritage Event NWTF Fundraiser, an NWTF hunting heritage fundraiser | 8 | Little Falls | Buy tickets | Source |
Closest Minnesota ranges to Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area
Rice Creek Hunting & Recreation, 13 miles away, is the nearest range to Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going. The property rules exclude target shooting.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) legal light on key dates
Legal light at Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County): half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for deer and bear, and to sunset for turkey, waterfowl and small game.
| Day | Season point | Sun up | Sun down | Shooting opens | Deer close | Bird close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:00 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 7:24 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 | 7:26 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:43 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:35 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:00 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:35 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 p.m. |
Raccoon and fox may be hunted at night under DNR rules.
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.
Photos to set the scene for Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) questions answered from its record
Who holds title to Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)?
Land manager for Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County): Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Little Falls office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)?
DPA 214 is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
What are the legal shooting hours at Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) run 6:36 a.m. to 5:28 p.m..
If Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Culdrum WMA (4.1 mi), Little Elk WMA (5.6 mi) and Otter Point WMA (9.1 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County), and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County): is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) in 2026-27?
Yes, in the regular seasons. Read the special restrictions on the DNR page and watch for posted refuge areas.
How many acres of hunting does Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County) offer?
714 acres.
What DPA is Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County), and what is its designation?
DPA 214 (200 series, 3-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)?
Deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove, according to the agency page for Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County).
How do hunters reach Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)?
From Little Falls, go 5 miles west on highway 27, then 2 miles north on township road (70th Ave.), then west 1/2 mile to south parking lot. Lots mapped: 3.
Last checks before driving to Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County)
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Mud Lake WMA (Morrison County).
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: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0).