Fritsche Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Fritsche Creek Wildlife Management Area is 386 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Nicollet County, near Klossner, inside Deer Permit Area 290. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,202 deer in DPA 290 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 parksCounty, city and regional landFritsche Creek WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 386 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Nicollet County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 290 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Klossner |
| DNR area office | Nicollet |
| Nearest towns | New Ulm (next to it), Essig (6 mi) and Courtland (7 mi) |
What is Fritsche Creek WMA like?
The WMA is mainly comprised of: Wetland, upland and lowland forest types, with a restored oak savanna component and managed wetlands.
From the intersection of State Hwy 15 and US Hwy 14, proceed 1.9 miles northwest on CSAH 21. A parking area is located on the West side of CSAH 21. Hiking, Wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, and cross country skiing.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Fritsche Creek WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Fritsche Creek WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Fritsche Creek WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Fritsche Creek WMA?
Fritsche Creek WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 290. The DNR registered 1,202 deer in DPA 290 in 2025, against 1,206 in 2024.
| DPA | Fritsche Creek WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 290 | 386 | 1,202 | 1,206 | 1,018 |
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 Fritsche Creek WMA?
From Klossner, go 3 1/2 miles S on SH 15 then 1 1/2 miles W on Co Rd 21.
Nearest towns: New Ulm (next to it), Essig (6 miles), Courtland (7 miles) and Searles (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 15, MN 68 and US 14.
What other public land is near Fritsche Creek WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- River Valley WMA: 272 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Somsen WMA: 49 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA: 569 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Boesch WMA: 225 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Swan Lake WMA: 3,396 acres, 4.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Fritsche Creek WMA
Counting Fritsche Creek WMA itself, 1,219 of the 25,470 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 |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 674 |
| State parks | 373 |
| County, city and regional land | 172 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Fritsche Creek WMA?
In Nicollet County, near Klossner. The DNR's directions: From Klossner, go 3 1/2 miles S on SH 15 then 1 1/2 miles W on Co Rd 21.
Which deer permit area is Fritsche Creek WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 290. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Fritsche Creek WMA?
1,219 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Fritsche Creek WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest River Valley WMA (1.8 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
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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, Fritsche Creek 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.