Dishpan Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Dishpan Wildlife Management Area is 1,558 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Itasca County, near Dora Lake, inside Deer Permit Area 169. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 927 deer in DPA 169 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 landNational forestDishpan WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,558 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Itasca County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 169 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Dora Lake |
| DNR area office | Grand Rapids |
| Nearest towns | Northome (8 mi), Mizpah (9 mi) and Squaw Lake (10 mi) |
What is Dishpan WMA like?
This WMA was established in 1975 primarily for waterfowl production by constructing 2 impoundments that created 200 acres of type 4 marsh. Both impoundments support stands of wild rice which provides production and migration habitat.
There are 6.5 miles of hunter walking trails that extend off the WMA onto other public lands open to hunting. There is a path maintained to a hill overlooking the lower pool for observation of wetland and forest wildlife. There are opportunities for trapping and wild rice harvesting. This WMA is located within the 11,000 acre Chippewa National Forest Fiske Lake Non-motorized Area, which is managed for deer and grouse. The WMA is adjacent to the Lost Forty Scientific and Natural Area and the CNF "Lost Forty" stand of old growth pines. Habitat management includes managing water levels on the impoundments, commercial timber harvests, planting conifers for winter cover, planting oak and fruiting shrubs for hard and soft mast on the 800 acres of aspen forest that surround the impoundments.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Dishpan WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Dishpan WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Dishpan WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Dishpan WMA?
Dishpan WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 169. The DNR registered 927 deer in DPA 169 in 2025, against 794 in 2024.
| DPA | Dishpan WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 169 | 1,558 | 927 | 794 | 782 |
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 Dishpan WMA?
From Dora Lake, go 2 miles northwest on CSAH 26, then 1.6 miles northwest on USFS Road 2240 (Lost Forty Loop Road).
Nearest towns: Northome (8 miles), Mizpah (9 miles), Squaw Lake (10 miles) and Funkley (13 miles).
What other public land is near Dishpan WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Nature's Lake WMA: 40 acres, 8.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Dishpan WMA
Counting Dishpan WMA itself, 26,321 of the 33,545 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (78.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 15,818 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 8,945 |
| State wildlife management areas | 1,558 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Dishpan WMA?
In Itasca County, near Dora Lake. The DNR's directions: From Dora Lake, go 2 miles northwest on CSAH 26, then 1.6 miles northwest on USFS Road 2240 (Lost Forty Loop Road).
Which deer permit area is Dishpan WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 169. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Dishpan WMA?
26,321 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Dishpan WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. One other WMA is within 10 miles, the closest Nature's Lake WMA (8.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Dishpan 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.