Pliny Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Pliny Wildlife Management Area is 704 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near McGrath, inside Deer Permit Area 156. 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 1,900 deer in DPA 156 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 landPliny WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 704 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 156 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | McGrath |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | McGrath (6 mi), Denham (12 mi) and Finlayson (15 mi) |
What is Pliny WMA like?
This WMA is a mixed hardwood forest containing aspen, oak, and basswood. Two small wetland impoundments, beaver ponds and some grassy fields are present on the unit. An abandoned railroad grade and the Snake River run through the unit.
This WMA lies within the Solana State Forest. All WMA regulations still apply. Other state lands are adjacent to the west, south and east of this unit. The forest types on this WMA are managed for deer, bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock. Respect private property on adjacent lands to the northwest, north, and southeast. Beaver and otter trapping permits required. Deer, bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock, hairy woodpeckers, black-capped chickadees, beaver, otter, muskrat, and wolves may use this WMA. There is mink, beaver, otter and muskrat trapping available on the unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Pliny 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 Pliny WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Pliny WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Pliny WMA?
Pliny WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 in 2025, against 1,594 in 2024.
| DPA | Pliny WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 156 | 704 | 1,900 | 1,594 | 1,299 |
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 Pliny WMA?
From McGrath go 6 miles N. on Hwy 65 then 3 miles E. on Co. Rd. 2 the WMA is on the S. side of road.
The access to south end of unit is available through state forestlands.
Nearest towns: McGrath (6 miles), Denham (12 miles), Finlayson (15 miles) and Rutledge (16 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 27 and MN 65.
What other public land is near Pliny WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Woross WMA: 620 acres, 8.8 miles away
- Bremen WMA: 447 acres, 9.4 miles away
- Jewett WMA: 103 acres, 9.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Pliny WMA
Counting Pliny WMA itself, 18,581 of the 26,912 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (69%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 17,877 |
| State wildlife management areas | 704 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Pliny WMA?
In Aitkin County, near McGrath. The DNR's directions: From McGrath go 6 miles N. on Hwy 65 then 3 miles E. on Co. Rd. 2 the WMA is on the S. side of road.
Which deer permit area is Pliny WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 156. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Pliny WMA?
18,581 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Pliny WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Woross WMA (8.8 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, Pliny 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.