Loerch Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Loerch Wildlife Management Area is 207 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Crow Wing County, near Brainerd, inside Deer Permit Area 604. 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 3,509 deer in DPA 604 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 landLoerch WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 207 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 604 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Brainerd |
| DNR area office | Brainerd |
| Nearest towns | Riverton (2 mi), Ironton (5 mi) and Merrifield (6 mi) |
What is Loerch WMA like?
This WMA was established in 1964 to improve habitat along Sand Creek. A waterfowl impoundment (30 acres) was constructed in 1984 in the NE corner of the unit. Area surrounding the impoundment is primarily aspen and oak.
The ~2 mile Hay Lake Hunter Walking Trail also winds through this unit. This trail begins at the State Forest parking area accessed off of Highway 210. The walking trail begins in State Forest land then loops into the Wildlife Management Area.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Loerch 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 Loerch WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Loerch WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Loerch WMA?
Loerch WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 604. The DNR registered 3,509 deer in DPA 604 in 2025, against 3,167 in 2024.
| DPA | Loerch WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 604 | 207 | 3,509 | 3,167 | 3,074 |
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 Loerch WMA?
From the junction of St. Hwy 210 and Co. Rd. 3 on the E. side of Brainerd, E. on St. Hwy. 210 6.3 miles to forest trail on S. side of 18, S. on forest trail.6 miles to gate at entrance to WMA.
The public access is on MnDNR Forestry administered land.
Nearest towns: Riverton (2 miles), Ironton (5 miles), Merrifield (6 miles) and Trommald (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 210 and MN 18.
What other public land is near Loerch WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Kim Hennings WMA: 275 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Poor Farm WMA: 312 acres, 5.3 miles away
- Telef Paulson WMA: 40 acres, 6.4 miles away
- Mission Lake WMA: 147 acres, 6.6 miles away
- Hesitation WMA: 370 acres, 9 miles away
- Indian Jack Lake WMA: 320 acres, 9.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Loerch WMA
Counting Loerch WMA itself, 680 of the 26,000 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 473 |
| State wildlife management areas | 207 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Loerch WMA?
In Crow Wing County, near Brainerd. The DNR's directions: From the junction of St. Hwy 210 and Co. Rd. 3 on the E. side of Brainerd, E. on St. Hwy. 210 6.3 miles to forest trail on S. side of 18, S. on forest trail.6 miles to gate at entrance to WMA.
Which deer permit area is Loerch WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 604. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Loerch WMA?
680 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Loerch WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Kim Hennings WMA (3.3 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, Loerch 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.