Center Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Center Creek Wildlife Management Area is 355 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Martin County, near Granada, inside Deer Permit Area 253. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 854 deer in DPA 253 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 areasWalk-In AccessCenter Creek WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 355 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Martin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 253 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Granada |
| DNR area office | Windom |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Granada (next to it), Northrop (5 mi) and Fairmont (7 mi) |
What can you hunt on Center Creek WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Center Creek WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Center Creek WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Center Creek WMA: Access to the WMA across the Railroad Property on the south side of the unit is strictly prohibited.
How many deer are taken around Center Creek WMA?
Center Creek WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 253. The DNR registered 854 deer in DPA 253 in 2025, against 785 in 2024.
| DPA | Center Creek WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 253 | 355 | 854 | 785 | 845 |
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 Center Creek WMA?
From Granada head north on 260th Ave/S Main St toward Becker St. Turn right onto 148th St/E Meagher St. Continue straight onto 265th Ave. Turn right onto 160th St. Destination will be on your right. From Granada go south on Highway 53 1/2 mile, then east on 140th Street 1 mile. There are two parking areas on the south side of the WMA.
Access consists of field approach located on the north side of the unit off 160th Street and from the west off 265th Avenue. Access consists of two field approaches located on the south side off 140th Street.
Nearest towns: Granada (next to it), Northrop (5 miles), Fairmont (7 miles) and Winnebago (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-90, MN 262 and MN 15. 1 Walk-In Access site within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Center Creek WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Gruven WMA: 326 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Luedtke WMA: 162 acres, 3 miles away
- Lane WMA: 60 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Lake Guckeen WMA: 341 acres, 4.6 miles away
- East Chain WMA: 389 acres, 6.7 miles away
- Armbrust WMA: 66 acres, 8.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Center Creek WMA
Counting Center Creek WMA itself, 445 of the 29,528 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 445 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Center Creek WMA?
In Martin County, near Granada. The DNR's directions: From Granada head north on 260th Ave/S Main St toward Becker St. Turn right onto 148th St/E Meagher St. Continue straight onto 265th Ave. Turn right onto 160th St. Destination will be on your right. From Granada go south on Highway 53 1/2 mile, then east on 140th Street 1 mile. There are two parking areas on the south side of the WMA.
Which deer permit area is Center Creek WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 253. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Center Creek WMA?
445 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Center Creek WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Gruven WMA (2.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Center Creek 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.