Little Marais Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Little Marais Wildlife Management Area is 274 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Lake County, near Silver Bay, inside Deer Permit Area 133. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 449 deer in DPA 133 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 forestState parksLittle Marais WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 274 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 133 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Silver Bay |
| DNR area office | Two Harbors |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Finland (7 mi), Silver Bay (12 mi) and Beaver Bay (15 mi) |
What is Little Marais WMA like?
This WMA consists of aspen-birch forest that is managed primarily for deer and grouse habitat.
Past management has created winter cover by underplanting white spruce and providing browse with forest clearcutting. Easy access through unit available on powerline right-of-ways and undeveloped trails.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Little Marais WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Little Marais WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Little Marais WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Little Marais WMA: Walk-in access only. Parking available only at described access.
How many deer are taken around Little Marais WMA?
Little Marais WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 133. The DNR registered 449 deer in DPA 133 in 2025, against 356 in 2024.
| DPA | Little Marais WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 133 | 274 | 449 | 356 | 351 |
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 Marais WMA?
From Silver Bay, go 11.1 miles NE on MN Hwy 61. Turn left (north) onto a one-vehicle parking lot on a gated access road.
Nearest towns: Finland (7 miles), Silver Bay (12 miles), Beaver Bay (15 miles) and Lutsen (25 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 61.
What other public land is near Little Marais WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Caribou Falls WMA: 315 acres, 3.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Little Marais WMA
Counting Little Marais WMA itself, 2,873 of the 23,625 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State parks | 1,760 |
| State wildlife management areas | 656 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 457 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Little Marais WMA?
In Lake County, near Silver Bay. The DNR's directions: From Silver Bay, go 11.1 miles NE on MN Hwy 61. Turn left (north) onto a one-vehicle parking lot on a gated access road.
Which deer permit area is Little Marais WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 133. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Little Marais WMA?
2,873 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Little Marais WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. One other WMA is within 10 miles, the closest Caribou Falls WMA (3.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Little Marais 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.