Herschberger Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Herschberger Wildlife Management Area is 242 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Lincoln County, near Ivanhoe, inside Deer Permit Area 286. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 588 deer in DPA 286 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 AccessHerschberger WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 242 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Lincoln County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 286 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Ivanhoe |
| DNR area office | Marshall |
| Nearest towns | Ivanhoe (5 mi), Arco (5 mi) and Lake Benton (9 mi) |
What is Herschberger WMA like?
This WMA is a wetland/grassland complex along the shores of Curtis Lake. There is some native prairie on the unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Herschberger WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Herschberger WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Herschberger WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Herschberger WMA?
Herschberger WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 286. The DNR registered 588 deer in DPA 286 in 2025, against 497 in 2024.
| DPA | Herschberger WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 286 | 242 | 588 | 497 | 436 |
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 Herschberger WMA?
From Ivanhoe, go 3 1/2 miles S on US 75 then 2 miles W on CSAH 16 then 1 mile S on Co Rd 104.
Nearest towns: Ivanhoe (5 miles), Arco (5 miles), Lake Benton (9 miles) and Hendricks (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 75 and MN 19. 2 Walk-In Access sites within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Herschberger WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Ash Lake WMA: 300 acres, 1.2 miles away
- Emerald WMA: 77 acres, 1.3 miles away
- Chain-O-Sloughs WMA: 281 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Spanton WMA: 48 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Anderson Lake WMA: 591 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Weeks WMA: 190 acres, 2.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Herschberger WMA
Counting Herschberger WMA itself, 1,082 of the 26,104 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,082 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Herschberger WMA?
In Lincoln County, near Ivanhoe. The DNR's directions: From Ivanhoe, go 3 1/2 miles S on US 75 then 2 miles W on CSAH 16 then 1 mile S on Co Rd 104.
Which deer permit area is Herschberger WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 286. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Herschberger WMA?
1,082 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Herschberger WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Ash Lake WMA (1.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Herschberger 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.