Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex: hunting and access
Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex is 1,532 acres of public hunting land in Emmet County, 2 miles from Dolliver, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 237 deer in Emmet 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 areasState parks and recreation areasTuttle Lake Wetland ComplexCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,532 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Emmet County |
| Deer harvest unit | Emmet 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, Timber |
| Nontoxic shot | Required (DNR) |
| DNR contact | Prairie Lakes Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Dolliver (2 mi), Armstrong (7 mi) and Gruver (8 mi) |
What is Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 2/3 shallow lake/marsh, 1/3 upland, timber.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex.
What are the rules on Tuttle Lake Wetland 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 Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex lies in Emmet County. Hunters reported 237 deer in Emmet County in 2025, against 232 in 2024.
| County | Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmet County | 1,526 | 237 | 232 | 211 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
The DNR's directions: 7 miles W of Armstrong on Hwy 9, 6 miles N on N52, 2 miles E on A13.
Nearest towns: Dolliver (2 miles), Armstrong (7 miles), Gruver (8 miles) and Estherville (12 miles).
What other public land is near Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex WPA: 310 acres, next to it
- Birge Lake: 136 acres, 2.6 miles away
- East Swan Lake: 837 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Iowa Lake - Emmet: 522 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Iowa Lake Marsh: 444 acres, 5.4 miles away
- Iowa Lake Marsh WPA: 134 acres, 5.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex
Counting Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex itself, 1,964 of the 34,842 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.6%), 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 | 1,934 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 27 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 2 |
| Other DNR land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
In Emmet County, 2 miles from Dolliver.
What can you hunt on Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex?
1,964 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Tuttle Lake Wetland Complex included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Tuttle Lake Wetland 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.