Chippewa Falls Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Chippewa Falls Wildlife Management Area is 218 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Pope County, near Sedan, inside Deer Permit Area 277. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 4,575 deer in DPA 277 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 areasChippewa Falls WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 218 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Pope County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 277 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Sedan |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Sedan (4 mi), Glenwood (7 mi) and Long Beach (8 mi) |
What is Chippewa Falls WMA like?
This unit is divided into north and south units. The WMA is mostly emergent wetland and open waters located in the Hardwood Hills Landscape. Grassy borders provide cover for ground- nesting birds and upland hunting.
This unit is managed for breeding and nesting waterfowl, and upland birds. Native grasses have been established to provide cover. Water quality is excellent in the wetland. Three former food plots were converted to prairie wildflower and short grass plantings. These sites are intended to provide a seed source for prairie restoration. You can see a large variety of waterfowl and nongame birds. Look for blooming prairie wildflowers. This is a good wintering area for pheasants.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Chippewa Falls WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Chippewa Falls WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Chippewa Falls WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Chippewa Falls WMA?
Chippewa Falls WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 277. The DNR registered 4,575 deer in DPA 277 in 2025, against 4,301 in 2024.
| DPA | Chippewa Falls WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 277 | 218 | 4,575 | 4,301 | 4,013 |
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 Chippewa Falls WMA?
From Sedan, go 4 1/2 miles S and W on CSAH 23.
Parking lots are at the northwest corner of the north unit and the east side of the south unit.
Nearest towns: Sedan (4 miles), Glenwood (7 miles), Long Beach (8 miles) and Starbuck (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 55.
What other public land is near Chippewa Falls WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Heinks WMA: 39 acres, 1.3 miles away
- Sedan Pond WMA: 113 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Sedan WMA: 580 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Skarpness WMA: 57 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Bangor WMA: 80 acres, 5.6 miles away
- Simon Lake WMA: 412 acres, 8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Chippewa Falls WMA
Counting Chippewa Falls WMA itself, 1,356 of the 24,960 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 842 |
| State wildlife management areas | 514 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Chippewa Falls WMA?
In Pope County, near Sedan. The DNR's directions: From Sedan, go 4 1/2 miles S and W on CSAH 23.
Which deer permit area is Chippewa Falls WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 277. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Chippewa Falls WMA?
1,356 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Chippewa Falls WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Heinks WMA (1.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Chippewa Falls 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.