Duck Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Duck Lake Wildlife Management Area is 1,042 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Crow Wing County, near Emily, inside Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 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 landDuck Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,042 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Emily |
| DNR area office | Brainerd |
| Nearest towns | Emily (4 mi), Fifty Lakes (10 mi) and Crosslake (11 mi) |
What is Duck Lake WMA like?
Duck Lake WMA was established in 1953 to improve wetland habitat for waterfowl and furbearers. It includes 1041 acres which includes the 310 acre Duck Lake wetland complex surrounded by aspen, black spruce and northern hardwood forest. This Wildlife Management Area includes some Crow Wing County lands that are cooperatively managed by the state and county as part of the WMA.
There is a private island (approx. 25 ac.) in the unit on the east side. Water access to Duck Lake is a carry-in/canoe type only.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Duck Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Duck Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Duck Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Duck Lake WMA?
Duck Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 in 2025, against 1,068 in 2024.
| DPA | Duck Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 1,042 | 1,165 | 1,068 | 819 |
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 Duck Lake WMA?
From the junction of St. Hwy. 6 and Co. Rd. 1 in Emily, head east on Co. Rd. 1 for 4.0 miles to Duck Lake WMA access trail on north side of Co. Rd.
Nearest towns: Emily (4 miles), Fifty Lakes (10 miles), Crosslake (11 miles) and Manhattan Beach (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 6.
What other public land is near Duck Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Birchdale WMA: 1,426 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Upper Dean WMA: 40 acres, 6.8 miles away
- Little Willow River WMA: 1,861 acres, 7.7 miles away
- Lower Dean WMA: 243 acres, 9.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Duck Lake WMA
Counting Duck Lake WMA itself, 4,338 of the 29,709 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (14.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 2,488 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 1,850 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Duck Lake WMA?
In Crow Wing County, near Emily. The DNR's directions: From the junction of St. Hwy. 6 and Co. Rd. 1 in Emily, head east on Co. Rd. 1 for 4.0 miles to Duck Lake WMA access trail on north side of Co. Rd.
Which deer permit area is Duck Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Duck Lake WMA?
4,338 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Duck Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 4 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Birchdale WMA (0.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Duck 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.