Canosia Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Canosia Wildlife Management Area is 2,491 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in St. Louis County, near Four Corners, inside Deer Permit Area 181. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 964 deer in DPA 181 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 landCanosia WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,491 acres |
|---|---|
| County | St. Louis County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 181 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Four Corners |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Rice Lake (4 mi), Hermantown (6 mi) and Duluth (10 mi) |
What is Canosia WMA like?
This WMA is a diverse deciduous/coniferous forest and wetland/bog complex with many upland openings and waterfowl impoundments with wild rice.
Forested areas are actively managed for wildlife and there are three water impoundments, which are managed for waterfowl on this WMA. This unit is a popular trapping, hunting and hiking area. This WMA has remote areas and also offers an extensive trail system, including a cross-country ski trail and a snowmobile trail that passes through the unit. Carry-in canoe access to the impoundments is available.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Canosia WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Canosia WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Canosia WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Canosia WMA: Water Access Road gate is closed from April 1 through August 1 each year to protect the road and nesting wildlife. Other trails are foot traffic only (except snowmobile trail).
How many deer are taken around Canosia WMA?
Canosia WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 181. The DNR registered 964 deer in DPA 181 in 2025, against 812 in 2024.
| DPA | Canosia WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 181 | 2,491 | 964 | 812 | 715 |
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 Canosia WMA?
From Four Corners, go 1 mile N on CSAH 13, then 2 miles E on CSAH 9, then 2 1/2 N on TWP 284.
Nearest towns: Rice Lake (4 miles), Hermantown (6 miles), Duluth (10 miles) and Proctor (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 53 and MN 194.
What other public land is near Canosia WMA?
Public land within 3 miles of Canosia WMA
Counting Canosia WMA itself, 2,817 of the 37,549 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 2,525 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 292 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Canosia WMA?
In St. Louis County, near Four Corners. The DNR's directions: From Four Corners, go 1 mile N on CSAH 13, then 2 miles E on CSAH 9, then 2 1/2 N on TWP 284.
Which deer permit area is Canosia WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 181. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Canosia WMA?
2,817 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Canosia WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Canosia 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.