Dalton Johnson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Dalton Johnson Wildlife Management Area is 171 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Kandiyohi County, near Lake Lillian, inside Deer Permit Area 282. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 242 deer in DPA 282 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 areasWalk-In AccessDalton Johnson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 171 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Kandiyohi County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 282 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Lake Lillian |
| DNR area office | New London |
| Nearest towns | Lake Lillian (2 mi), Cosmos (6 mi) and Blomkest (9 mi) |
What is Dalton Johnson WMA like?
This WMA (2005) contains approx. 37 acres of restored wetlands, 100 acres of former cropland seeded to a combination of native plants, old farm grove, 3 acre food plot, and a small natural wetland. It has matured into a nice pheasant hunting destination.
Acquisition and development of this unit was a cooperative project involving many different partners, including Pheasants Forever. These partners are recognized on a kiosk at the parking area on the northeast end of the unit, off of MN Highway 7. All general WMA Rules apply to this unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Dalton Johnson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Dalton Johnson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Dalton Johnson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Dalton Johnson WMA?
Dalton Johnson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 282. The DNR registered 242 deer in DPA 282 in 2025, against 217 in 2024.
| DPA | Dalton Johnson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 282 | 171 | 242 | 217 | 209 |
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 Dalton Johnson WMA?
From Lake Lillian, go 1/2 mile south to St. Hwy. 7. Proceed east on St. Hwy 7 for 3 miles to the destination parking lot. The WMA is on the south side of the highway.
Access from highway, driveway, and parking area. No special opportunities.
Nearest towns: Lake Lillian (2 miles), Cosmos (6 miles), Blomkest (9 miles) and Bird Island (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 7. 3 Walk-In Access sites within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Dalton Johnson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Rodewald WMA: 291 acres, 6.6 miles away
- Wieker WMA: 305 acres, 8.8 miles away
- Gennessee WMA: 112 acres, 9.4 miles away
- Hen Haven WMA: 40 acres, 9.4 miles away
- Popular WMA: 206 acres, 9.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Dalton Johnson WMA
Counting Dalton Johnson WMA itself, 471 of the 24,020 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 299 |
| State wildlife management areas | 172 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Dalton Johnson WMA?
In Kandiyohi County, near Lake Lillian. The DNR's directions: From Lake Lillian, go 1/2 mile south to St. Hwy. 7. Proceed east on St. Hwy 7 for 3 miles to the destination parking lot. The WMA is on the south side of the highway.
Which deer permit area is Dalton Johnson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 282. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Dalton Johnson WMA?
471 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Dalton Johnson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Rodewald WMA (6.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Dalton Johnson 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.