Little Hill River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Little Hill River Wildlife Management Area is 274 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Hill City, inside Deer Permit Area 679. The DNR's WMA data lists ducks and geese for it. Hunters registered 2,146 deer in DPA 679 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 landNational forestOther federal landLittle Hill River WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 274 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 679 |
| DNR lists for hunting | ducks and geese |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hill City |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Hill City (6 mi), Remer (9 mi) and Cohasset (16 mi) |
What is Little Hill River WMA like?
This WMA is a wetland impoundment with some wild rice. There is a bog on the west end. This unit is surrounded by state forest and county tax forfeit lands.
This WMA is managed for waterfowl and wetland wildlife. This unit is managed cooperatively with Aitkin County. Look for loons, bald eagles, blue-winged teal, red-headed blackbirds, mallards, trumpeter swans, painted turtle, mudpuppies and muskrats on this unit. Eagles and trumpeter swans have nested on this WMA.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Little Hill River WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists ducks and geese for Little Hill River WMA. Each follows the statewide season.
What are the rules on Little Hill River WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Little Hill River WMA: No wild rice harvesting allowed. Permits for beaver and otter trapping are required.
How many deer are taken around Little Hill River WMA?
Little Hill River WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 679. The DNR registered 2,146 deer in DPA 679 in 2025, against 1,929 in 2024.
| DPA | Little Hill River WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 679 | 274 | 2,146 | 1,929 | 2,046 |
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 Little Hill River WMA?
From Hill City go 5 miles W. on Hwy. 200 then 1 mile N. on county forest road.
Limited wheelchair access at the parking area.
Nearest towns: Hill City (6 miles), Remer (9 miles), Cohasset (16 miles) and Grand Rapids (18 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 200.
What other public land is near Little Hill River WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Big Rice WMA: 53 acres, 7.1 miles away
- Moose Willow WMA: 16,957 acres, 7.5 miles away
- Willow Lake Deer Yard WMA: 40 acres, 8.5 miles away
- Hay Point WMA: 350 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Little Hill River WMA
Counting Little Hill River WMA itself, 4,593 of the 23,712 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (19.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 2,935 |
| National forest | 1,344 |
| State wildlife management areas | 274 |
| Other federal land | 40 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Little Hill River WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Hill City. The DNR's directions: From Hill City go 5 miles W. on Hwy. 200 then 1 mile N. on county forest road.
Which deer permit area is Little Hill River WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 679. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Little Hill River WMA?
4,593 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Little Hill River WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 4 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Big Rice WMA (7.1 miles).
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, Little Hill River 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.