Perch Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Perch Lake Wildlife Management Area is 252 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Clearwater County, near Ebro, inside Deer Permit Area 298. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 779 deer in DPA 298 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 landPerch Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 252 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Clearwater County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 298 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Ebro |
| DNR area office | Park Rapids |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Rice Lake (next to it), Roy Lake (3 mi) and South End (3 mi) |
What is Perch Lake WMA like?
This WMA is forested with several shallow lakes completely or partially within it. Sixty four percent is upland forest, primarily aspen, with the remainder of the unit being composed of wetlands.
Deer and ruffed grouse habitat is managed by small aspen patch cut timber sales. Four shallow lakes used by waterfowl are accessible through this WMA. Deer, bear, ruffed grouse and waterfowl hunting opportunities plus wildlife observation and trapping opportunities exist on this WMA.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Perch Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Perch Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Perch Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Perch Lake WMA: A small duck refuge surrounds Main Lake in the north portion of the WMA. There are no established parking areas or access roads on this unit.
How many deer are taken around Perch Lake WMA?
Perch Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 298. The DNR registered 779 deer in DPA 298 in 2025, against 671 in 2024.
| DPA | Perch Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 298 | 252 | 779 | 671 | 491 |
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 Perch Lake WMA?
From Ebro, go 9 miles S on CSAH 7.
There is no access trail or parking area off of CSAH 7.
Nearest towns: Rice Lake (next to it), Roy Lake (3 miles), South End (3 miles) and Pine Bend (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 200.
What other public land is near Perch Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Roy Lake WMA: 35 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Lower Rice WMA: 441 acres, 3.9 miles away
- Mosquito Creek WMA: 747 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Island Lake WMA: 33 acres, 6.4 miles away
- Budde Meadows WMA: 282 acres, 6.9 miles away
- Island Lake Fmha WMA: 212 acres, 7.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Perch Lake WMA
Counting Perch Lake WMA itself, 9,165 of the 25,044 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (36.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 8,904 |
| State wildlife management areas | 261 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Perch Lake WMA?
In Clearwater County, near Ebro. The DNR's directions: From Ebro, go 9 miles S on CSAH 7.
Which deer permit area is Perch Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 298. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Perch Lake WMA?
9,165 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Perch Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Roy Lake WMA (3.5 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, Perch Lake 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.