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Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
2,910 acres of public land open to hunters in Faribault County, with DPA 253 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 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.
Walnut Lake WMA in brief, from the agency file
2,910 acres of Faribault County belong to Walnut Lake WMA. Size rank in Faribault County: 1st of 11 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 253, set at either-sex for 2026.
Questions go to the Nicollet DNR wildlife office at nicollet.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- 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 Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Walnut Lake WMA
Each subunit of Walnut Lake WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 2 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Lake WMA | 2,910 | Wells | Open | 2 | DNR |
- Walnut Lake WMA: From Wells, go 5 1/2 miles S on SH 22 then 2 miles W on US 16. Wheelchair access is limited to adjacent county and township roads.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Walnut Lake WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Save the Wetlands WMA lies 5.2 mi east of Walnut Lake WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save the Wetlands WMA | WMA | 124 | 254 | 5.2 mi | east |
| Wells WMA | WMA | 27 | 254 | 6.9 mi | northeast |
| Foster Creek WPA | WPA | 240 | 254 | 8.6 mi | east |
| Mansfield WMA | WMA | 77 | 254 | 9.3 mi | southeast |
| Brush Creek WMA | WMA | 155 | 254 | 9.9 mi | southeast |
| Kiester WPA | WPA | 136 | 254 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Minnesota Lake WPA | WPA | 80 | 253 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Iowa, Chicago & Eastern WPA | WPA | 248 | 254 | 13 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Walnut Lake WMA
Site rules for Walnut Lake WMA, condensed from the record.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- South Walnut Lake has a posted limit of 10 HP or less motor usage. A posted restricted shooting zone is found on the Walnut Lake WMA "Zieman Tract" in the South Portion of the WMA in the SE of the SE, Brush Creek Township Section 14-T102-R25. A posted restricted shooting zone is found on the Walnut Lake WMA Johnson Tract in the West Portion of the WMA in Brush Creek Township in the NW of the SE Section 3-T102-R25.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Walnut Lake WMA season dates
This table covers Walnut Lake WMA only: deer rows follow its DPA, the rest come from its game species list.
| Species | Type | Zone or DPA | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 253 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 253 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 253 | 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 | |
| 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 |
Wear blaze orange or pink in the firearms deer season; waterfowl hunters on water are exempt under DNR rules.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Deer seasons on Walnut Lake WMA
200-series DPA 253 carries the either-sex designation this year. One deer of either sex per license in DPA 253.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 253: 987 square miles. Faribault, Martin, Blue Earth, Watonwan and Waseca share DPA 253.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Walnut Lake WMA (DPA 253)
The whole of DPA 253 gave up 854 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Walnut Lake WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 587 | 267 | 854 | 0.88 |
| 2024 | 544 | 241 | 785 | 0.81 |
| 2023 | 562 | 283 | 845 | 0.87 |
| 2022 | 559 | 203 | 762 | 0.78 |
| 2021 | 510 | 212 | 722 | 0.74 |
| 2020 | 517 | 195 | 712 | 0.73 |
| 2019 | 539 | 201 | 740 | 0.76 |
| 2018 | 447 | 194 | 641 | 0.66 |
| 2017 | 549 | 201 | 750 | 0.77 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Walnut Lake WMA nearby towns
Walters is the closest town to Walnut Lake WMA, about 6.3 mi away. The largest nearby is Wells (2,401 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Wells. For questions, the Nicollet DNR office is 47 mi from Walnut Lake WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walters | Faribault | 70 | 6.3 mi | southeast |
| Bricelyn | Faribault | 350 | 6.6 mi | south |
| Wells | Faribault | 2,401 | 6.6 mi | north |
| Frost | Faribault | 214 | 8.6 mi | southwest |
| Kiester | Faribault | 487 | 8.8 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.
Walnut Lake WMA: Faribault County facts
Counting Walnut Lake WMA, Faribault County has 20 listed public areas. Check the Faribault County shotgun ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Faribault County. Faribault County turkey hunters declare area 504 and 503. County questions go to Nicollet Area Wildlife Office, Nicollet. 1 place in Faribault County is closed to hunting, such as Osmundson Prairie Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Bricelyn Sportsman's Club at 5 miles. No target practice on the property, per its rules.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
A look at the landscape around Walnut Lake WMA
Walnut Lake WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Walnut Lake WMA map point on Central Time; big game ends half an hour after sunset, birds at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Open | Big game close | Birds close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:57 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 7:20 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:07 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 7:37 p.m. | 7:07 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:22 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:58 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:25 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:48 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:26 p.m. | 7:56 p.m. |
Times are rounded to the minute.
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.
Straight answers on hunting Walnut Lake WMA
Which deer permit area holds Walnut Lake WMA?
Walnut Lake WMA falls in DPA 253, either-sex. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Walnut Lake WMA unit?
The mapped size is 2,910 acres.
Where is the access for Walnut Lake WMA?
From Wells, go 5 1/2 miles S on SH 22 then 2 miles W on US 16. The map above shows 2 parking pins.
Which species does Walnut Lake WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Walnut Lake WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Is CWD sampling required at Walnut Lake WMA?
DNR lists DPA 253 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who do I call about Walnut Lake WMA?
Walnut Lake WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Nicollet office).
Which public ground lies closest to Walnut Lake WMA?
Next-closest public land: Save the Wetlands WMA (5.2 mi), Wells WMA (6.9 mi) and Foster Creek WPA (8.6 mi).
How early does shooting start at Walnut Lake WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:28 a.m., done by 5:30 p.m..
Can I camp on Walnut Lake WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on Walnut Lake WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Walnut Lake WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Can you hunt on Walnut Lake WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Walnut Lake WMA shows open hunting status.
Walnut Lake WMA: three things to confirm first
Carry your license, validate a deer or turkey at the kill site and register it (48 hours for deer and bear, 24 for turkey).
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); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).