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WMA · 2026-27
Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Le Sueur County.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 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.
Sanborn Lake WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Sanborn Lake WMA spreads over 548 acres of Le Sueur County. Of 20 wildlife management areas in Le Sueur County, Sanborn Lake WMA is number 5 by acreage. Hunters on Sanborn Lake WMA follow DPA 605, which DNR made 5-deer limit for 2026.
The DNR Nicollet area wildlife office manages it (nicollet.wildlife@state.mn.us).
Game species: small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Sanborn Lake WMA
DNR maps no parking point for Sanborn Lake WMA; use the route text below.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanborn Lake WMA | 548 | Montgomery | Open | – | DNR |
- Sanborn Lake WMA: From the City of Montgomery, proceed 0.5 miles North on State Highway 13, then turn right or East on 340th St. Then Proceed 1.1 miles to 151st Ave. Turn left or North and proceed 0.3 miles, the WMA will be on the East side of the road. The two drive ways that are West of LeSueur CSAH 3 (151st Ave.) on the Sanborn Lake WMA, are private and not for public access use. Please use marked parking areas for access.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Sanborn Lake WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Sanborn Lake WMA, adding 1,033 acres; Rice Lake WPA (Le Sueur County) is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Lake WPA | WPA | 53 | 605 | 2.0 mi | south |
| Phelps Lake WMA | WMA | 170 | 605 | 2.1 mi | southeast |
| Erin Prairie WPA | WPA | 173 | 605 | 5.3 mi | southeast |
| Robert J. Lick WMA | WMA | 193 | 605 | 5.4 mi | southeast |
| Bardel's Marsh WMA | WMA | 78 | 292 | 5.9 mi | west |
| Gray Fox WMA | WMA | 76 | 292 | 7.0 mi | south |
| Delehanty WPA | WPA | 162 | 292 | 7.2 mi | south |
| Big Woods Heritage Forest WMA (listed) | WMA | 127 | 605 | 7.3 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Sanborn Lake WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Sanborn Lake WMA; posted signs on site still govern.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- Sanborn Lake is a Designated Wildlife Lake and a Migratory Feeding and Resting Area. Please see the Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations for all current details and regulations.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
When you can hunt Sanborn Lake WMA
Every dated hunting window for Sanborn Lake WMA: 20 species, 40 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Pheasant shooting starts at 9 a.m.; ducks, geese and small game stop at sunset.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Sanborn Lake WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 605 (600 series) is 5-deer limit in 2026. Hunters may take up to 5 deer in DPA 605 across licenses and bonus permits; only one may be a buck in most DPAs.
| Season | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Late southeast firearms | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Late CWD hunt | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 |
The CWD management zone takes in DPA 605. DPA 605 gets the Dec. 18-20 late CWD season. Carcass disposal: rule in effect. Area of DPA 605: 1,229 sq mi. Counties in DPA 605: Dakota, Rice, Scott, Goodhue and Le Sueur.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 605 gives up around Sanborn Lake WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 605 registered 3,115 deer in 2025, 10% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,495 | 1,620 | 3,115 | 2.61 |
| 2024 | 1,374 | 1,452 | 2,826 | 2.37 |
| 2023 | 1,279 | 1,542 | 2,821 | 2.37 |
| 2022 | 1,326 | 1,606 | 2,932 | 2.46 |
| 2021 | 1,269 | 1,528 | 2,797 | 2.35 |
| 2020 | 1,508 | 2,070 | 3,578 | 3.00 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Sanborn Lake WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Sanborn Lake WMA is 2.1 mi from Montgomery, the nearest community. New Prague is the bigger town nearby at 8,235 people. Directions on the DNR page begin at Montgomery. Rosemount has the nearest DNR office to Sanborn Lake WMA, 30 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | Le Sueur | 3,537 | 2.1 mi | southwest |
| Heidelberg | Le Sueur | 135 | 4.1 mi | northwest |
| New Prague | Scott | 8,235 | 5.5 mi | north |
| Lonsdale | Rice | 5,066 | 6.3 mi | east |
| Le Center | Le Sueur | 2,528 | 11 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.
County rules that reach Sanborn Lake WMA
Our Le Sueur County list runs to 32 public areas, including Sanborn Lake WMA. Deer feeding and attractants are banned in Le Sueur County. No bear lottery in Le Sueur County: it is no-quota ground. Turkey permit area here: 503 and 505. The county's nearest wildlife office is Nicollet Area Wildlife Office in Nicollet. Le Sueur County also has 5 closed places, Bur Oak Wildlife Management Area among them.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Public lanes and clubs for Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area hunters
From Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area, Archer Park – Archery Range is the nearest city, county or park district range (24 miles). Nearby sportsmen’s clubs fill the other cards. Target shooting is off limits here.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Scheduled close to Sanborn Lake Wildlife Management Area
5 upcoming events here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Coming up
| Held on | Event | Mi | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2026 | Scott LeSueur Waterfowlers Annual Banquet, a club banquet | 5 | New Prague | Event details | Source |
| Nov 22, 2026 | Deer hunter Cleanup bingo for Boomsticks At Rail 19, a DU gun or purse bingo | 6 | Rail 19 (Lonsdale) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Purse bingo with Next Chapter Winery!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 5 | Next Chapter Winery (New Prague) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Purse and Yeti Bingo with Rail 19!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 6 | Rail 19 (Lonsdale) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Mar 13, 2027 | MDHA – MN River Valley Chapter 43rd Annual Banquet, an MDHA chapter banquet | 5 | New Prague | Event details | Source |
Sanborn Lake WMA country, seen through a lens
Sanborn Lake WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Sanborn Lake WMA hours use the NOAA solar formula for the unit's coordinates.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Opens | Deer, bear end | Birds end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 6:59 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:26 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:50 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 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. |
Clock times include Daylight Saving Time until Nov. 1.
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.
Sanborn Lake WMA: what hunters usually ask
What is there to hunt on Sanborn Lake WMA?
On the Sanborn Lake WMA record the game list reads small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Where do you park at Sanborn Lake WMA?
From the City of Montgomery, proceed 0.5 miles North on State Highway 13, then turn right or East on 340th St. Then Proceed 1.1 miles to 151st Ave. Turn left or North and proceed 0.3 miles, the WMA will be on the East side of the road. No parking point is mapped.
Who should I contact about Sanborn Lake WMA?
Sanborn Lake WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Nicollet office looks after it.
Is Sanborn Lake WMA inside a CWD zone?
Sanborn Lake WMA sits in DPA 605, which is in the CWD management zone.
What time can you shoot deer at Sanborn Lake WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:29 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. for deer, sunrise 6:59 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Sanborn Lake WMA?
Sanborn Lake WMA neighbors on our list: Rice Lake WPA (Le Sueur County) (2.0 mi), Phelps Lake WMA (2.1 mi) and Erin Prairie WPA (5.3 mi).
Sanborn Lake WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Sanborn Lake WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Sanborn Lake WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Sanborn Lake WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Sanborn Lake WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Sanborn Lake WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 548 acres.
Sanborn Lake WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 605, 5-deer limit for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Sanborn Lake WMA trip checklist from this page
No paper tags in Minnesota: validate the electronic license where the animal falls, then register it on time.
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).