Cranberry Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Cranberry Wildlife Management Area is 317 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Isanti County, near Day, inside Deer Permit Area 225. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 5,598 deer in DPA 225 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 landCranberry WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 317 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Isanti County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 225 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Day |
| DNR area office | Cambridge |
| Nearest towns | Ogilvie (7 mi), Braham (8 mi) and Stanchfield (9 mi) |
What is Cranberry WMA like?
This WMA consists primarily of wetlands of varying types with 3 restored wetland (pools) and most of the east shore of Lory Lake. Scattered woodlots of oak, aspen, and basswood are present.
Management of water levels and vegetation in pools and lake to enhance wetland species populations. Bird watching can be good especially during migration periods. Wading birds as well as unique species such as terns (black and common) can be seen.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Cranberry WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Cranberry WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Cranberry WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Cranberry WMA?
Cranberry WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 225. The DNR registered 5,598 deer in DPA 225 in 2025, against 5,038 in 2024.
| DPA | Cranberry WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 225 | 317 | 5,598 | 5,038 | 4,326 |
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 Cranberry WMA?
From Day, go 2 miles E and N on CSAH 4.
Nearest towns: Ogilvie (7 miles), Braham (8 miles), Stanchfield (9 miles) and Bock (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 47 and MN 65.
What other public land is near Cranberry WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Stanchfield WMA: 38 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Dalbo WMA: 3,365 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Dobe WMA: 99 acres, 5.4 miles away
- Rice Creek WMA: 926 acres, 5.6 miles away
- Tosher Creek WMA: 323 acres, 6 miles away
- Wire Tree WMA: 39 acres, 6.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Cranberry WMA
Counting Cranberry WMA itself, 409 of the 24,573 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 409 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Cranberry WMA?
In Isanti County, near Day. The DNR's directions: From Day, go 2 miles E and N on CSAH 4.
Which deer permit area is Cranberry WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 225. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Cranberry WMA?
409 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Cranberry WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Stanchfield WMA (1.8 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, Cranberry 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.