Gordie Mikkelson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Gordie Mikkelson Wildlife Management Area is 860 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Anoka County, near Martin Lake, inside Deer Permit Area 227. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 4,198 deer in DPA 227 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 landCounty, city and regional landGordie Mikkelson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 860 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Anoka County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 227 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Martin Lake |
| DNR area office | North Metro |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Martin Lake (next to it), East Bethel (3 mi) and Bethel (6 mi) |
What is Gordie Mikkelson WMA like?
This WMA is 860 acres in size and is primarily managed for woodland and wooded wetland wildlife like deer and turkeys. It consists of 55% wetland and wooded wetland, 36% upland woodland and 9% grassland.
Mikkelson WMA has grown rapidly in size in recent years and was acquired from a variety of previous landowners. A large portion was previously operated as a Camp Fire USA children's camp. Windswept Prairie Environmental Education Area is a planted prairie that was established in 1999 in cooperation with neighboring Linwood Elementary School and education grant money.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Gordie Mikkelson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Gordie Mikkelson WMA: The eastern portion of this WMA is closed to the discharge of firearms. This line starts at the parking lot and is posted with signs indicating the boundary.
How many deer are taken around Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
Gordie Mikkelson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 227. The DNR registered 4,198 deer in DPA 227 in 2025, against 3,893 in 2024.
| DPA | Gordie Mikkelson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 227 | 860 | 4,198 | 3,893 | 3,470 |
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 Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
5 1/2 miles west of Wyoming on Co Rd 22, then 1/4 mile north on Co Rd 85.
Wheelchair access is limited to gravel parking lots on the east and south.
Nearest towns: Martin Lake (next to it), East Bethel (3 miles), Bethel (6 miles) and Wyoming (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 65.
What other public land is near Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Carlos Avery WMA: 24,618 acres, 1.6 miles away
- Marvin W. Schubring Memorial WMA: 285 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Mallard Marsh WMA: 56 acres, 3 miles away
- Hoffman Lake WMA: 115 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Bethel WMA: 755 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Athens WMA: 192 acres, 6.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Gordie Mikkelson WMA
Counting Gordie Mikkelson WMA itself, 7,259 of the 30,931 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (23.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 3,339 |
| County, city and regional land | 3,065 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 855 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
In Anoka County, near Martin Lake. The DNR's directions: 5 1/2 miles west of Wyoming on Co Rd 22, then 1/4 mile north on Co Rd 85.
Which deer permit area is Gordie Mikkelson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 227. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Gordie Mikkelson WMA?
7,259 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Gordie Mikkelson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Carlos Avery WMA (1.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Gordie Mikkelson 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.