Chub Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Chub Lake Wildlife Management Area is 203 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Dakota County, near Castle Rock, inside Deer Permit Area 605. 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 3,115 deer in DPA 605 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 areasCounty, city and regional landChub Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 203 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Dakota County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 605 |
| 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) | Castle Rock |
| DNR area office | South Metro |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Elko New Market (5 mi), Northfield (7 mi) and Farmington (8 mi) |
What is Chub Lake WMA like?
This WMA consists mostly of oak woodland, with some old field and grassland areas as well as a small portion of Chub Lake. This WMA is adjacent to a larger oak woodland that surrounds Chub Lake, within a landscape of rolling hills.
The purpose of this WMA is to preserve and enhance the high quality Oak Woodland within its borders, as well as a portion of the unspoiled shoreline along Chub Lake. Chub Lake has a small non-paved access point off the adjoining township road, roadside parking is prohibited, and users should not block roadway.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Chub Lake 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 Chub Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Chub Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Chub Lake WMA: Portions are posted archery only.
How many deer are taken around Chub Lake WMA?
Chub Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 605. The DNR registered 3,115 deer in DPA 605 in 2025, against 2,826 in 2024.
| DPA | Chub Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 605 | 203 | 3,115 | 2,826 | 2,821 |
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 Chub Lake WMA?
3.5 miles west of Castle Rock on Co. Rd. 86, then right (north) on Grenada Ave..5 miles to parking lot.
Wheelchair access is limited to the parking lot and the gravel road going through a portion of Chub Lake.
Nearest towns: Elko New Market (5 miles), Northfield (7 miles), Farmington (8 miles) and Dundas (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-35 and MN 3.
What other public land is near Chub Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Mud Creek WMA: 157 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Peat Bog WMA: 154 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Esker WMA: 48 acres, 5.9 miles away
- Paulson Marsh WMA: 62 acres, 8.2 miles away
- Milest WMA: 216 acres, 8.4 miles away
- Vermillion River WMA: 1,494 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Chub Lake WMA
Counting Chub Lake WMA itself, 204 of the 23,478 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (0.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 204 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Chub Lake WMA?
In Dakota County, near Castle Rock. The DNR's directions: 3.5 miles west of Castle Rock on Co. Rd. 86, then right (north) on Grenada Ave..5 miles to parking lot.
Which deer permit area is Chub Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 605. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Chub Lake WMA?
204 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Chub Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Mud Creek WMA (4.2 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, Chub 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.