Lawler Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Lawler Wildlife Management Area is 235 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Tamarack, inside Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR's WMA data lists deer and ducks and geese for it. Hunters registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 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 landLawler WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 235 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 156 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer and ducks and geese |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Tamarack |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | Tamarack (5 mi), McGregor (6 mi) and Wright (9 mi) |
What is Lawler WMA like?
This WMA is mostly marsh and low brushy areas. There is a small grass field on the east side of the unit No facilities have been developed due to poor access and lack of upland areas.
This parcel was donated to provide "green space" and watershed protection. Public access to the north portion of the unit is difficult. Look for beaver, mink, deer, common yellowthroats, swamp sparrows and alder flycatchers. Limited trapping and deer hunting opportunities.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Lawler WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer and ducks and geese for Lawler WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Lawler WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Lawler WMA?
Lawler WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 in 2025, against 1,594 in 2024.
| DPA | Lawler WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 156 | 235 | 1,900 | 1,594 | 1,299 |
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 Lawler WMA?
From Tamarack 5.5 miles S. on Co. Rd. 16, 0.5 miles W. on Co. Rd. 30, N. side of road.
Parking limited to along county road.
Nearest towns: Tamarack (5 miles), McGregor (6 miles), Wright (9 miles) and Cromwell (15 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 210.
What other public land is near Lawler WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Salo Marsh WMA: 2,036 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Grayling Marsh WMA: 9,960 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Mcgregor WMA: 651 acres, 5 miles away
- Kimberly Marsh WMA: 10,564 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Woross WMA: 620 acres, 9.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Lawler WMA
Counting Lawler WMA itself, 4,931 of the 24,143 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (20.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 4,599 |
| State wildlife management areas | 332 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Lawler WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Tamarack. The DNR's directions: From Tamarack 5.5 miles S. on Co. Rd. 16, 0.5 miles W. on Co. Rd. 30, N. side of road.
Which deer permit area is Lawler WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 156. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Lawler WMA?
4,931 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Lawler WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Salo Marsh WMA (2.9 miles).
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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, Lawler 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.