Christopherson Slough Complex: hunting and access
Christopherson Slough Complex is 1,514 acres of public hunting land in Dickinson County, next to Superior, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 304 deer in Dickinson County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's public hunting area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting, 2021 to 2025.
Public hunting areas on the DNR atlasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasChristopherson Slough ComplexCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,514 acres in 7 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Dickinson County |
| Deer harvest unit | Dickinson County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 2/3 Shallow Lake/Marsh, 1/3 Upland Grass, Timber |
| Nontoxic shot | Required (DNR) |
| DNR contact | Great Lakes Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Superior (next to it), Orleans (5 mi) and Estherville (6 mi) |
What is Christopherson Slough Complex like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 2/3 shallow lake/marsh, 1/3 upland grass, timber.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Christopherson Slough Complex?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Christopherson Slough Complex.
What are the rules on Christopherson Slough Complex?
The DNR's layer marks this area as nontoxic shot only.
Iowa's general hunting rules apply, and some DNR land is a posted wildlife refuge closed during set seasons; Iowa DNR wildlife management areas has area maps.
How many deer are taken around Christopherson Slough Complex?
Christopherson Slough Complex lies in Dickinson County. Hunters reported 304 deer in Dickinson County in 2025, against 255 in 2024.
| County | Christopherson Slough Complex acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson County | 1,514 | 304 | 255 | 246 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Christopherson Slough Complex?
The DNR's directions: 2 miles N of Superior on N16.
Nearest towns: Superior (next to it), Orleans (5 miles), Estherville (6 miles) and Spirit Lake (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 71, IA 4 and IA 9.
What other public land is near Christopherson Slough Complex?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Christopherson Slough Complex WPA: 727 acres, next to it
- Superior Marsh: 38 acres, next to it
- Spring Run Complex: 3,743 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Hales Slough: 526 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Ringham Habitat Area: 80 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Anderson Prairie Complex: 896 acres, 2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Christopherson Slough Complex
Counting Christopherson Slough Complex itself, 3,301 of the 47,515 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Public hunting areas on the DNR atlas | 3,295 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 5 |
| Other DNR land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Christopherson Slough Complex?
In Dickinson County, next to Superior.
What can you hunt on Christopherson Slough Complex?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Christopherson Slough Complex?
3,301 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Christopherson Slough Complex included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Christopherson Slough Complex WPA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Iowa DNR public hunting areas (Hunting Atlas layer).
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.