Eldorado Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Eldorado Wildlife Management Area is 300 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Stevens County, near Donnelly, inside Deer Permit Area 272. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 366 deer in DPA 272 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 AccessEldorado WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 300 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Stevens County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 272 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Donnelly |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Herman (6 mi), Donnelly (6 mi) and Norcross (10 mi) |
What is Eldorado WMA like?
The Eldorado WMA is a large wetland on the eastern edge of the Red River Valley. This WMA is very flat and is covered with restored native grasslands and many small, restored wetlands.
The Eldorado was transferred to DNR by Pheasants Forever, Inc. Pheasants Forever along with a number of local and statewide conservation groups helped to purchase this land and then transfer it to DNR to become the Eldorado WMA. Native grasses and flowers were used to restore grassland habitat on this WMA. Nearly 20 small wetlands were restored on this WMA. The only woody cover on the Eldorado WMA is a 5 acre winter cover planting on the east side of the WMA. The Eldorado WMA has become a good place to hunt pheasants and waterfowl such as mallards and Blue Winged Teal. This WMA provides good winter habitat for deer and pheasants. Private land along the south edge of the Eldorado WMA has cover very similar to the WMA. Hunters should be careful to stay on WMA lands.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Eldorado WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Eldorado WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Eldorado WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Eldorado WMA?
Eldorado WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 272. The DNR registered 366 deer in DPA 272 in 2025, against 338 in 2024.
| DPA | Eldorado WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 272 | 300 | 366 | 338 | 332 |
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 Eldorado WMA?
7 miles west of Donnelly on Cty Rd 18, then 2.5 miles north.
Nearest towns: Herman (6 miles), Donnelly (6 miles), Norcross (10 miles) and Chokio (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 9. 1 Walk-In Access site within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Eldorado WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Thedin WMA: 61 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Boekholt Grove WMA: 25 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Everglade Marshes WMA: 181 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Towner WMA: 119 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Horning Pit WMA: 164 acres, 4 miles away
- Macsville WMA: 270 acres, 4.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Eldorado WMA
Counting Eldorado WMA itself, 1,144 of the 23,935 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 659 |
| State wildlife management areas | 485 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Eldorado WMA?
In Stevens County, near Donnelly. The DNR's directions: 7 miles west of Donnelly on Cty Rd 18, then 2.5 miles north.
Which deer permit area is Eldorado WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 272. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Eldorado WMA?
1,144 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Eldorado WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Thedin WMA (0.7 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Eldorado 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.