Dye Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Dye Wildlife Management Area is 161 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Carlton County, near Moose Lake, inside Deer Permit Area 153. 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 1,144 deer in DPA 153 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 landState parksDye WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 161 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Carlton County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 153 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Moose Lake |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Nearest towns | Barnum (6 mi), Mahtowa (6 mi) and Kerrick (8 mi) |
What is Dye WMA like?
This WMA is forest/wetland complex with aspen and swamp conifer forests and lowland brush interspersed with several upland opening. A dugout waterfowl pond also exists on the unit.
This WMA is on an old farm site and is now currently managed through active forestry practices. The forest openings on the unit are managed for berry producing shrubs. This WMA has several walking trails and offers blueberry picking opportunities.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Dye 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 Dye WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Dye WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Dye WMA?
Dye WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 153. The DNR registered 1,144 deer in DPA 153 in 2025.
| DPA | Dye WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 153 | 161 | 1,144 |
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 Dye WMA?
From Moose Lake, go 8 miles E on CSAH 8.
There is one parking lot on the SW side of the WMA.
Nearest towns: Barnum (6 miles), Mahtowa (6 miles), Kerrick (8 miles) and Moose Lake (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-35 and MN 23.
What other public land is near Dye WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA: 79 acres, 5.9 miles away
- Blackhoof River WMA: 4,028 acres, 6.2 miles away
- William M. Rath WMA: 845 acres, 10 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Dye WMA
Counting Dye WMA itself, 844 of the 22,077 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 683 |
| State wildlife management areas | 161 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Dye WMA?
In Carlton County, near Moose Lake. The DNR's directions: From Moose Lake, go 8 miles E on CSAH 8.
Which deer permit area is Dye WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 153. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Dye WMA?
844 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Dye WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA (5.9 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, Dye 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.