East Park Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
East Park Wildlife Management Area is 10,420 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Marshall and Roseau counties, near Middle River, inside Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning doves, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 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 areasEast Park WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 10,420 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Marshall County and Roseau County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 264 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning doves, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Middle River |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Strandquist (3 mi), Strathcona (5 mi) and Middle River (6 mi) |
What is East Park WMA like?
This unit is comprised of aspen forest, shrubland, grassland, emergent wetland, and open water. Management is directed towards maintenance and development of the mosaic of habitats characteristic of the aspen parkland.
Management techniques that are often utilized on this site include mowing young aspen and brush, timber harvest, and prescribed burning. There are several areas of reconstructed native grasslands that involve mowing and prescribed fire, along with invasive plant treatments. The 1700 acre Nelson Slough impoundment provides an excellent opportunity for viewing wetland species and it provides opportunity for waterfowl hunting. There are three water access points and eight primitive campsites on this unit. However This impoundment is currently under construction and closed to the public.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on East Park WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning doves, bear and small game for East Park WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on East Park WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for East Park WMA: A 600-acre State Wildlife Sanctuary exists on this unit to give waterfowl a place to rest and feed during hunting season. It is located in the north half of sections 20, 21, & 22. The refuge is off limits to visitors from September 1st to October 31st. Due to the impoundment construction, this area is closed to all public until construction is over.
How many deer are taken around East Park WMA?
East Park WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 in 2025, against 2,007 in 2024.
| DPA | East Park WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 264 | 10,420 | 1,995 | 2,007 | 1,770 |
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 East Park WMA?
From Middle River, go 9 miles W on CSAH 6 then 3 miles N on CSAH 29 and township rd.
Nearest towns: Strandquist (3 miles), Strathcona (5 miles), Middle River (6 miles) and Newfolden (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59 and MN 32.
What other public land is near East Park WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- New Maine WMA: 2,665 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Huntly WMA: 6,503 acres, 1 mile away
- Deer WMA: 35 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Lind WMA: 653 acres, 3 miles away
- West Valley WMA: 247 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Twin Lakes WMA: 8,867 acres, 4.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of East Park WMA
Counting East Park WMA itself, 15,997 of the 71,715 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (22.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 15,997 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is East Park WMA?
In Marshall and Roseau counties, near Middle River. The DNR's directions: From Middle River, go 9 miles W on CSAH 6 then 3 miles N on CSAH 29 and township rd.
Which deer permit area is East Park WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 264. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around East Park WMA?
15,997 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, East Park WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest New Maine WMA (0.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, East Park 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.