Kakaik Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Kakaik Wildlife Management Area is 204 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Polk County, near Erskine, inside Deer Permit Area 257. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 979 deer in DPA 257 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 areasKakaik WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 204 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 257 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Erskine |
| DNR area office | Thief River Falls |
| Nearest towns | Erskine (2 mi), Mentor (6 mi) and McIntosh (6 mi) |
What is Kakaik WMA like?
This unit is a mosaic of marshes, open water dugouts, grassy nest cover, brush and timber. It is intensively managed through prescribed burning, brush mowing, small clearcuts and occasional commercial logging.
Kakaik is part of a larger WMA complex that includes Erskine and Polk WMA's. The large amount of edge and diversity of habitats makes this a good area for wildlife. Access is easy with roads on 3 of 4 sides. Winter opportunities include wildlife observation and snowshoeing, while fall presents opportunities for trapping, and hunting upland game, bear and deer.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Kakaik WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for Kakaik WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Kakaik WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Kakaik WMA?
Kakaik WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 257. The DNR registered 979 deer in DPA 257 in 2025, against 928 in 2024.
| DPA | Kakaik WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 257 | 204 | 979 | 928 | 872 |
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 Kakaik WMA?
From Erskine, go 1 1/2 miles N on CO RD 208.
Nearest towns: Erskine (2 miles), Mentor (6 miles), McIntosh (6 miles) and Brooks (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59 and US 2.
What other public land is near Kakaik WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Erskine WMA: 1,220 acres, next to it
- Polk WMA: 2,762 acres, next to it
- Bee Lake WMA: 121 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Timber Doodle WMA: 158 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Dorr WMA: 378 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Mentor Prairie WMA: 2,183 acres, 6.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Kakaik WMA
Counting Kakaik WMA itself, 5,519 of the 23,423 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (23.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 4,199 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,320 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Kakaik WMA?
In Polk County, near Erskine. The DNR's directions: From Erskine, go 1 1/2 miles N on CO RD 208.
Which deer permit area is Kakaik WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 257. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Kakaik WMA?
5,519 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Kakaik WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Erskine WMA (next to it).
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, Kakaik 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.