Nycklemoe Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Nycklemoe Wildlife Management Area is 208 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Otter Tail County, near Battle Lake, inside Deer Permit Area 213. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 6,423 deer in DPA 213 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 wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther federal landNycklemoe WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 208 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Otter Tail County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 213 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Battle Lake |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Ashby (5 mi), Evansville (7 mi) and Millerville (7 mi) |
What can you hunt on Nycklemoe WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Nycklemoe WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Nycklemoe WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Nycklemoe WMA: This WMA is a state duck refuge closed to trespass from Sept 1 through the close of the regular waterfowl season.
How many deer are taken around Nycklemoe WMA?
Nycklemoe WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 213. The DNR registered 6,423 deer in DPA 213 in 2025, against 5,814 in 2024.
| DPA | Nycklemoe WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 213 | 208 | 6,423 | 5,814 | 5,058 |
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 Nycklemoe WMA?
From Battle Lake, go 11 miles S on SH 78.
Nearest towns: Ashby (5 miles), Evansville (7 miles), Millerville (7 miles) and Urbank (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 78.
What other public land is near Nycklemoe WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Jensen Memorial WMA: 133 acres, 2.4 miles away
- St. Olaf WMA: 42 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Gustave-Melby WMA: 81 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Thornberg WMA: 33 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Balgaard WMA: 46 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Inspiration WMA: 59 acres, 6.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Nycklemoe WMA
Counting Nycklemoe WMA itself, 849 of the 23,249 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 485 |
| State wildlife management areas | 347 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 17 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Nycklemoe WMA?
In Otter Tail County, near Battle Lake. The DNR's directions: From Battle Lake, go 11 miles S on SH 78.
Which deer permit area is Nycklemoe WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 213. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Nycklemoe WMA?
849 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Nycklemoe WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Jensen Memorial WMA (2.4 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, Nycklemoe 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.