Little Nokasippi River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Little Nokasippi River Wildlife Management Area is 481 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Crow Wing County, near Fort Ripley, inside Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 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 areasLittle Nokasippi River WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 481 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 249 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Fort Ripley |
| DNR area office | Brainerd |
| Nearest towns | Fort Ripley (next to it), Randall (9 mi) and Baxter (11 mi) |
What is Little Nokasippi River WMA like?
This wildlife management area was established in 2006 as part of a cooperative effort by the Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy and Camp Ripley's Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) project.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Little Nokasippi River WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Little Nokasippi River WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Little Nokasippi River WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Little Nokasippi River WMA?
Little Nokasippi River WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 in 2025, against 2,772 in 2024.
| DPA | Little Nokasippi River WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 249 | 481 | 3,126 | 2,772 | 2,539 |
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 Nokasippi River WMA?
From the town of Fort Ripley, 0.7 miles north on St. Hwy. 371, east on Over-the-hill Township Road to the southern boundary where there are two parking areas available off of this road.
One gravel parking lot is located in the northwest corner of the unit and there are two small parking areas available off of Over-the-Hill Township road.
Nearest towns: Fort Ripley (next to it), Randall (9 miles), Baxter (11 miles) and Pillager (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 371.
What other public land is near Little Nokasippi River WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Otter Point WMA: 34 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Ray Cook WMA: 252 acres, 8.2 miles away
- Stanchfield Lake WMA: 83 acres, 9.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Little Nokasippi River WMA
Counting Little Nokasippi River WMA itself, 481 of the 27,052 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 481 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Little Nokasippi River WMA?
In Crow Wing County, near Fort Ripley. The DNR's directions: From the town of Fort Ripley, 0.7 miles north on St. Hwy. 371, east on Over-the-hill Township Road to the southern boundary where there are two parking areas available off of this road.
Which deer permit area is Little Nokasippi River WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 249. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Little Nokasippi River WMA?
481 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Little Nokasippi River WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Otter Point WMA (8.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Little Nokasippi 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.