Peterson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Peterson Wildlife Management Area is 325 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Nobles County, near Worthington, inside Deer Permit Area 237. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 301 deer in DPA 237 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasPeterson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 325 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Nobles County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 237 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Worthington |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Nearest towns | Bigelow (3 mi), Worthington (6 mi) and Round Lake (7 mi) |
What is Peterson WMA like?
This WMA consists of two subunits (Southeast and West). This Southeast subunit contains a small wetland with associated upland grassland, with woody cover and food plots. This WMA consists of two subunits (Southeast and West). This West subunit contains a medium-sized marsh with associated upland grassland and woody cover plantings.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Peterson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Peterson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Peterson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Peterson WMA?
Peterson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 237. The DNR registered 301 deer in DPA 237 in 2025, against 332 in 2024.
| DPA | Peterson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 237 | 325 | 301 | 332 | 359 |
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 Peterson WMA?
From Worthington, go 6 miles south on County Road 7. From Worthington, go 5 miles south on co rd 7, then 1 mile west on township rd.
There is a carry-in water access to the marsh on this unit.
Nearest towns: Bigelow (3 miles), Worthington (6 miles), Round Lake (7 miles) and Rushmore (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 60 and US 59.
What other public land is near Peterson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Lake Bella WMA: 359 acres, next to it
- Wachter WMA: 473 acres, next to it
- John Erickson WMA: 121 acres, 0.5 miles away
- James Willey WMA: 138 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Bigelow WMA: 234 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Lambert Prairie WMA: 306 acres, 5.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Peterson WMA
Counting Peterson WMA itself, 1,490 of the 25,463 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,417 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 73 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Peterson WMA?
In Nobles County, near Worthington. The DNR's directions: From Worthington, go 6 miles south on County Road 7. From Worthington, go 5 miles south on co rd 7, then 1 mile west on township rd.
Which deer permit area is Peterson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 237. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Peterson WMA?
1,490 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Peterson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Lake Bella WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Peterson 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.