Home › Minnesota › Public land › Ottawa WMA
Minnesota WMA
Ottawa Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
674 acres of wildlife management area ground in Le Sueur County, deer permit area 291.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Ottawa Wildlife Management Area
Ottawa WMA on paper: the record in brief
Ottawa WMA covers 674 acres in Le Sueur County. Among Le Sueur County’s 20 wildlife management areas, it sits 3rd for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 291 is 2-deer limit.
Management sits with the Nicollet area wildlife staff, reachable at nicollet.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Ottawa WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
DNR describes the unit this way: A parking area with a carry in water access is available 1.5 miles North of Highway 99 on the West side of Le Sueur CSAH 23 (Ottawa Road). The parking area is located on the St. Peter Aquatic Managment Area or the St. Peter Trout Ponds.
Hunted here: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Ottawa Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Ottawa WMA
Directions and parking for Ottawa WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (1 parking point mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa WMA | 674 | St. Peter | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Ottawa WMA: From Saint Peter, go 1 mile E on SH 99 then 2 1/2 miles NE on CSAH 23. Wheelchair access is limited to a gravel parking lot at the trout ponds.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Ottawa WMA
Ottawa 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.
Ottawa WMA deer rules: DPA 291
DPA 291 is a 200-series area set to 2-deer limit for 2026. The 2-deer limit in DPA 291 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 |
Surveillance block: bring adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 for sampling. At 830 square miles, DPA 291 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 291 overlaps Nicollet, Le Sueur, Sibley, Blue Earth and Brown.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Ottawa WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Ottawa 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 291 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 291 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 291 | 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 | |
| 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 |
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 Ottawa WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 1,896 deer across DPA 291 (2.37 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,026 | 870 | 1,896 | 2.37 |
| 2024 | 994 | 519 | 1,513 | 1.89 |
| 2023 | 909 | 595 | 1,504 | 1.88 |
| 2022 | 865 | 481 | 1,346 | 1.68 |
| 2021 | 844 | 415 | 1,259 | 1.57 |
| 2020 | 883 | 488 | 1,371 | 1.71 |
| 2019 | 888 | 462 | 1,350 | 1.69 |
| 2018 | 815 | 436 | 1,251 | 1.56 |
| 2017 | 868 | 489 | 1,357 | 1.70 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ottawa WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Ottawa WMA map point; St. Peter AMA (0.4 mi, south) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter AMA | AMA | 60 | 291 | 0.4 mi | south |
| Savidge Lake AMA | AMA | 11 | 291 | 3.0 mi | east |
| Frank Breen Memorial WMA | WMA | 22 | 291 | 7.5 mi | southeast |
| Shanghai Lake WMA | WMA | 115 | 292 | 8.6 mi | east |
| Sigler WMA | WMA | 73 | 291 | 9.4 mi | north |
| Gilfillan Lake WMA | WMA | 559 | 291 | 9.7 mi | south |
| Fickling WPA | WPA | 88 | 291 | 9.8 mi | northeast |
| Chadderdon WMA | WMA | 133 | 292 | 10 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Le Sueur County around Ottawa WMA
In Le Sueur County there are 32 records like Ottawa 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 Ottawa WMA
Closest town: St. Peter, 2.5 mi in a straight line from Ottawa WMA. The unit page lists St. Peter as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Nicollet Area Wildlife Office in Nicollet, 14 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Peter | Nicollet | 12,456 | 2.5 mi | west |
| Kasota | Le Sueur | 718 | 4.0 mi | southwest |
| Cleveland | Le Sueur | 769 | 4.3 mi | east |
| Le Sueur | Le Sueur | 4,230 | 9.2 mi | north |
| Le Center | Le Sueur | 2,528 | 9.9 mi | east |
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 Ottawa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2027 | River Valley Chapter Banquet, an RMEF banquet | 2 | St. Peter | Buy tickets | Source |
Before Ottawa Wildlife Management Area: public and club ranges
Run by City of Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie (City of) is 41 miles from Ottawa 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 Ottawa WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Ottawa 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 | 6:58 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 7:21 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 7:08 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:00 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 5:29 p.m. | 4:59 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:28 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:51 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 4:45 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:35 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. | 8:27 p.m. | 7:57 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 Ottawa WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Ottawa WMA
Can decoys or gear stay on Ottawa 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 Ottawa WMA?
The nearest public units are St. Peter AMA (0.4 mi), Savidge Lake AMA (3.0 mi) and Frank Breen Memorial WMA (7.5 mi).
May the public hunt Ottawa WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Ottawa WMA.
Is camping at Ottawa WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Ottawa WMA?
It is in deer permit area 291 (2-deer limit). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Ottawa WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Ottawa WMA covers 674 acres.
What route leads to Ottawa WMA?
From Saint Peter, go 1 mile E on SH 99 then 2 1/2 miles NE on CSAH 23. Parking points on file: 1.
What can you hunt on Ottawa WMA?
Expect deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey on Ottawa WMA, per the record.
Do deer from Ottawa WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (291) is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who manages Ottawa WMA?
Ottawa WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Nicollet office.
When is legal light on Ottawa WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:30 a.m. to 5:29 p.m.; birds stop at 4:59 p.m..
Ottawa WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Ottawa 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: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).