French Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
French Lake Wildlife Management Area is 537 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Aitkin, inside Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, 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 landFrench Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 537 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Aitkin |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | Palisade (6 mi), Aitkin (9 mi) and McGregor (12 mi) |
What is French Lake WMA like?
This WMA is made up of formerly commercial wild rice beds with some aspen forest types. The east side of the unit bordering French Lake consists of a tamarack forest type.
Management on this WMA emphasizes wetland restoration/development for waterfowl and shorebirds, and to maintain open habitats for sharp-tailed grouse and sandhill cranes. Sharp-tailed grouse, mallards, blue-winged teal, lesser yellowlegs, sandhill cranes, raccoon and deer may use this WMA. Watch for breeding waterfowl and wading birds in the spring. Could be a good area for winter predator hunting.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on French Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, bear and small game for French Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on French Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around French Lake WMA?
French 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 | French Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 537 | 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 French Lake WMA?
From Aitkin, go 8 miles NE on Hwy 169/210, then 2 miles east on Hwy 210, then 1/2 mile north on 340th Place.
Wheelchair access is limited to gravel parking area.
Nearest towns: Palisade (6 miles), Aitkin (9 miles), McGregor (12 miles) and Cuyuna (18 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 210 and US 169.
What other public land is near French Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Aitkin WMA: 3,415 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Gun Lake WMA: 830 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Newstrom Lake WMA: 796 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Deer Run WMA: 699 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Little Willow River WMA: 1,861 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Kimberly Marsh WMA: 10,564 acres, 6.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of French Lake WMA
Counting French Lake WMA itself, 4,867 of the 26,039 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (18.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 2,501 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 2,366 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is French Lake WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Aitkin. The DNR's directions: From Aitkin, go 8 miles NE on Hwy 169/210, then 2 miles east on Hwy 210, then 1/2 mile north on 340th Place.
Which deer permit area is French Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around French Lake WMA?
4,867 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, French Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Aitkin WMA (0.9 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Minnesota are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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, French 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.