Bayport Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Bayport Wildlife Management Area is 452 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Washington County, near Bayport, inside Deer Permit Area 601. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 2,588 deer in DPA 601 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 landCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landBayport WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 452 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 601 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Bayport |
| DNR area office | North Metro |
| Nearest towns | Oak Park Heights (next to it), Bayport (next to it) and Stillwater (2 mi) |
What is Bayport WMA like?
This WMA is 452 acres in size consisting of two main parcels. The major emphasis is to manage for a variety of woodland and grassland wildlife. The area consists of 72% grassland/agricultural land, 27% woodland and a small amount of wetland.
Much of the grassland on this area is planted prairie on previously agricultural land. The area was managed as a farm by the State Department of Corrections and was transferred to the Department of Natural Resources to be managed as a WMA in 1973. Because Bayport WMA has fine shot restrictions, it offers archery deer hunting opportunities during the firearms deer hunting season. This is a good area to go hiking and observe purple cone flowers and black-eyed susan's in the planted prairie.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Bayport WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Bayport WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Bayport WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Bayport WMA?
Bayport WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 601. The DNR registered 2,588 deer in DPA 601 in 2025.
| DPA | Bayport WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 601 | 452 | 2,588 |
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 Bayport WMA?
3/4 of a mile south of Stillwater on Co Rd 24.
Wheelchair access is limited to adjacent highways.
Nearest towns: Oak Park Heights (next to it), Bayport (next to it), Stillwater (2 miles) and Lakeland (2 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 36, US 12, I-94, MN 95 and MN 5.
What other public land is near Bayport WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Keystone Woods WMA: 1,841 acres, 9.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Bayport WMA
Counting Bayport WMA itself, 1,374 of the 35,021 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 452 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 381 |
| County, city and regional land | 376 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 165 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Bayport WMA?
In Washington County, near Bayport. The DNR's directions: 3/4 of a mile south of Stillwater on Co Rd 24.
Which deer permit area is Bayport WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 601. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Bayport WMA?
1,374 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Bayport WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. One other WMA is within 10 miles, the closest Keystone Woods WMA (9.6 miles).
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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, Bayport 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.