Baker's Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Baker's Lake Wildlife Management Area is 313 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in McLeod County, near Brownton, inside Deer Permit Area 284. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 714 deer in DPA 284 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasBaker's Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 313 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | McLeod County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 284 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Brownton |
| DNR area office | Nicollet |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Brownton (3 mi), New Auburn (5 mi) and Stewart (7 mi) |
What is Baker's Lake WMA like?
This WMA is mainly comprised of: A restored prairie wetland complex with lowland, upland and wetland forest components, along with an agricultural food plot.
A prairie planting and food plot have been established on the western tract. There is a carry-in water access to Baker's Lake on the eastern tract of this WMA.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Baker's Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Baker's Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Baker's Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Baker's Lake WMA: Bakers Lake proper is a designated Migratory Waterfowl Feeding and Resting Area which prohibits boat motor use during waterfowl hunting season. Please consult state hunting regulations for more information.
How many deer are taken around Baker's Lake WMA?
Baker's Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 284. The DNR registered 714 deer in DPA 284 in 2025, against 675 in 2024.
| DPA | Baker's Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 284 | 313 | 714 | 675 | 605 |
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 Baker's Lake WMA?
From Brownton, go 0.25 miles S on CSAH 25 then 3 miles S on CSAH 52.
Wheelchair access is limited to access road and gravel parking lot.
Nearest towns: Brownton (3 miles), New Auburn (5 miles), Stewart (7 miles) and Winthrop (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 15 and US 212.
What other public land is near Baker's Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Deutsch WMA: 81 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Spiering WMA: 157 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Kohl's WMA: 87 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Penn WMA: 90 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Kujas Lake WMA: 116 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Bob Gehlen WMA: 231 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Baker's Lake WMA
Counting Baker's Lake WMA itself, 1,313 of the 27,441 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 860 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 453 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Baker's Lake WMA?
In McLeod County, near Brownton. The DNR's directions: From Brownton, go 0.25 miles S on CSAH 25 then 3 miles S on CSAH 52.
Which deer permit area is Baker's Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 284. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Baker's Lake WMA?
1,313 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Baker's Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Deutsch WMA (0.6 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Minnesota included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Baker's Lake 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.