Lake Maria Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Lake Maria Wildlife Management Area is 951 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Murray County, near Garvin, inside Deer Permit Area 295. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 904 deer in DPA 295 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 AccessLake Maria WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 951 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Murray County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 295 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Garvin |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Nearest towns | Garvin (2 mi), Balaton (4 mi) and The Lakes (7 mi) |
What is Lake Maria WMA like?
This unit contains several small wetlands with one larger wetland. There is a large conifer planting at the old building site along with several willow patches.
This unit is completely developed with restored prairies and wetlands. There are also food plots maintained for wintering deer and pheasants.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Lake Maria WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Lake Maria WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Lake Maria WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Lake Maria WMA?
Lake Maria WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 295. The DNR registered 904 deer in DPA 295 in 2025, against 835 in 2024.
| DPA | Lake Maria WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 295 | 951 | 904 | 835 | 827 |
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 Lake Maria WMA?
From Garvin, go 2 miles S and W on CSAH 14, then 1 mile S on CSAH 30, then 1.7 miles W and N on Twnshp Rd 105, then 0.5 miles on Twnshp Rd 108 to the north side of the WMA.
Nearest towns: Garvin (2 miles), Balaton (4 miles), The Lakes (7 miles) and Currie (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59 and US 14. 1 Walk-In Access site within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Lake Maria WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Skandia WMA: 498 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Shetek Inlet WMA: 542 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Giese WMA: 37 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Iron Lake WMA: 67 acres, 2 miles away
- Sarah-Mason WMA: 121 acres, 2 miles away
- Lake Yankton WMA: 237 acres, 3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Lake Maria WMA
Counting Lake Maria WMA itself, 2,209 of the 32,855 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 2,209 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Lake Maria WMA?
In Murray County, near Garvin. The DNR's directions: From Garvin, go 2 miles S and W on CSAH 14, then 1 mile S on CSAH 30, then 1.7 miles W and N on Twnshp Rd 105, then 0.5 miles on Twnshp Rd 108 to the north side of the WMA.
Which deer permit area is Lake Maria WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 295. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Lake Maria WMA?
2,209 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Lake Maria WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Skandia WMA (0.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Lake Maria 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.