Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Heron Lake Wildlife Management Area is 865 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Jackson County, near Heron Lake, inside Deer Permit Area 250. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 505 deer in DPA 250 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 areasHeron Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 865 acres in 6 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 250 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Heron Lake |
| DNR area office | Windom |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Heron Lake (next to it), Okabena (2 mi) and Lakefield (3 mi) |
What can you hunt on Heron Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Heron Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Heron Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Heron Lake WMA: The portion of the WMA located north of 860th Street, South of Division Creek and West of South Heron Lake is a Wildlife Sanctuary. No trespass is allowed from September 1 to the last day of the regular waterfowl season.
The DNR's data marks part of Heron Lake WMA as a wildlife sanctuary. Sanctuary ground is posted and closed to entry without DNR authorization.
How many deer are taken around Heron Lake WMA?
Heron Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 250. The DNR registered 505 deer in DPA 250 in 2025, against 479 in 2024.
| DPA | Heron Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 250 | 865 | 505 | 479 | 497 |
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 Heron Lake WMA?
From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then.75 E on township rd. From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then.75 mile E on township rd. From Lakefield, go 3 miles W on CSAH 20 to the WMA on the East (right) side of the road. From Okabena, go 2 miles S on CSAH 20 then 1.5 miles E on township rd.
Nearest towns: Heron Lake (next to it), Okabena (2 miles), Lakefield (3 miles) and Wilder (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 60, I-90 and MN 86.
What other public land is near Heron Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Heron Meadows WMA: 200 acres, next to it
- Valleau WMA: 309 acres, 1 mile away
- Crosse WMA: 67 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Teal Lake WMA: 124 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Winkler WMA: 119 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Libra WMA: 29 acres, 3.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Heron Lake WMA
Counting Heron Lake WMA itself, 1,442 of the 52,502 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,442 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Heron Lake WMA?
In Jackson County, near Heron Lake. The DNR's directions: From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then.75 E on township rd. From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then.75 mile E on township rd. From Lakefield, go 3 miles W on CSAH 20 to the WMA on the East (right) side of the road. From Okabena, go 2 miles S on CSAH 20 then 1.5 miles E on township rd.
Which deer permit area is Heron Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 250. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Heron Lake WMA?
1,442 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Heron Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Heron Meadows WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Heron 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.