Aitkin Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Aitkin Wildlife Management Area is 3,415 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Aitkin, inside Deer Permit Area 155. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,134 deer in DPA 155 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's wildlife management area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Harvest Reports, 2021 to 2025.
State wildlife management areasState forest and other DNR landAitkin WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,415 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 155 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Aitkin |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Aitkin (4 mi), Palisade (8 mi) and McGregor (12 mi) |
What is Aitkin WMA like?
The WMA is approximately 3000 acres with mixed upland and low ground. The Rice River runs through the north side of the WMA. Upland timber types include aspen, bur oak, basswood, and birch. Timber types along the river are oak, silver maple and elm. The WMA is 80 acres of mostly lowland brush and grass with some aspen on the southwest corner of the unit. Sisabagamah Creek runs through this unit as does a railroad.
Upland timber on this WMA is managed for deer, bear, and ruffed grouse while marshy and low grassy areas are managed for open land species like sharp-tailed grouse, sandhill cranes and short-eared owls. For this WMA management emphasis is public hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities. Coyotes, yellow rails, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, and common yellowthroats may also be found on this Wildlife Management Area. Good area for winter fox and coyote hunting. Watch for breeding sandhill cranes in the spring. Deer, bear, sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse, alder flycatcher, common yellowthroat, tiger salamander, and black-capped chickadee may use this WMA. There is limited wildlife viewing opportunities from the township road along the south side of the unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Aitkin WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Aitkin WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Aitkin WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Aitkin WMA: No target shooting is permitted in the gravel pit.
How many deer are taken around Aitkin WMA?
Aitkin WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 155. The DNR registered 1,134 deer in DPA 155 in 2025, against 937 in 2024.
| DPA | Aitkin WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 155 | 3,415 | 1,134 | 937 | 781 |
Harvest for the whole deer permit area, not the WMA alone: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
How do you get to Aitkin WMA?
From Aitkin, go 5 miles NE on Hwy 169/210, 1/2 mile E on Co.Rd.56. From Aitkin, go 2 miles NE on Hwy 169/210, E 0.6 miles on 365th St, S 0.5 miles on 380th Ave., E 1 mile on 360th St.
Wheelchair access is limited to public roads adjacent to and through the unit and in the gravel pit. Parking is available only along township road.
Nearest towns: Aitkin (4 miles), Palisade (8 miles), McGregor (12 miles) and Deerwood (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 210, US 169 and MN 47.
What other public land is near Aitkin WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- French Lake WMA: 537 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Deer Run WMA: 699 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Newstrom Lake WMA: 796 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Gun Lake WMA: 830 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Rabbit Lake WMA: 390 acres, 6.5 miles away
- Kimberly Marsh WMA: 10,564 acres, 6.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Aitkin WMA
Counting Aitkin WMA itself, 8,503 of the 50,037 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (17%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 4,674 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 3,829 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Aitkin WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Aitkin. The DNR's directions: From Aitkin, go 5 miles NE on Hwy 169/210, 1/2 mile E on Co.Rd.56. From Aitkin, go 2 miles NE on Hwy 169/210, E 0.6 miles on 365th St, S 0.5 miles on 380th Ave., E 1 mile on 360th St.
Which deer permit area is Aitkin WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 155. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Aitkin WMA?
8,503 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Aitkin WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest French Lake WMA (0.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Aitkin WMA; Minnesota DNR Wildlife Management Area boundaries, publicly accessible.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.