Lena Larson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Lena Larson Wildlife Management Area is 172 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Mower County, near Lyle, inside Deer Permit Area 255. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants and small game for it. Hunters registered 704 deer in DPA 255 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 areasLena Larson WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 172 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Mower County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 255 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Lyle |
| DNR area office | Owatonna |
| Nearest towns | Lyle (4 mi), Rose Creek (4 mi) and Adams (8 mi) |
What is Lena Larson WMA like?
This unit that is a mix of established native prairie, old field, wetlands, with an soft maple grove. Willows and the wetland woody species have re-established on portions of this WMA. The area is managed primarily by controlled burns.
The establish prairie is on the north side of County Road 5 and has a good mix of forbes and grasses. A visit to the prairie in late July is a treat. During wet falls, wear waterproof boots while visiting this unit. Good pheasant hunting with some deer hunting. Otter Creek runs through the unit and provides some trapping for fur bearers.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Lena Larson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants and small game for Lena Larson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Lena Larson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Lena Larson WMA?
Lena Larson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 255. The DNR registered 704 deer in DPA 255 in 2025, against 677 in 2024.
| DPA | Lena Larson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 255 | 172 | 704 | 677 | 677 |
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 Lena Larson WMA?
From Lyle, go 2.5 miles N on US Hwy 218 then 3.5 miles E on County Route 5.
There is a unimproved entrance drive on the south end of the unit that would provide access to the established prairie. There are no trails.
Nearest towns: Lyle (4 miles), Rose Creek (4 miles), Adams (8 miles) and Austin (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 218 and MN 56.
What other public land is near Lena Larson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Rose WMA: 51 acres, 1.3 miles away
- Schottler WMA: 166 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Lyle-austin WMA: 115 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Red Cedar River WMA: 73 acres, 5.8 miles away
- Mentel WMA: 37 acres, 7.9 miles away
- Schwerin Creek WMA: 37 acres, 10 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Lena Larson WMA
Counting Lena Larson WMA itself, 223 of the 23,845 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (0.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 223 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Lena Larson WMA?
In Mower County, near Lyle. The DNR's directions: From Lyle, go 2.5 miles N on US Hwy 218 then 3.5 miles E on County Route 5.
Which deer permit area is Lena Larson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 255. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Lena Larson WMA?
223 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Lena Larson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Rose WMA (1.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Lena Larson 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.