Reservation Dam Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Reservation Dam Wildlife Management Area is 563 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Traverse County, near Wheaton, inside Deer Permit Area 671. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 446 deer in DPA 671 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 areasReservation Dam WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 563 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Traverse County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 671 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Wheaton |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Wheaton (6 mi), Dumont (9 mi) and Barry (14 mi) |
What is Reservation Dam WMA like?
Reservation Dam WMA is located between Mud Lake and Lake Traverse along the Mustinka River. The unit is an emergent wetland with some sedge meadows and stands of reed canary grass. Managed for wildlife by the Minnesota DNR.
The unit is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is a good place to view a wide variety of wetland birds, including fish-eating species. There is a colonial water bird nesting site. Western or Clark's grebes have been seen in the spring. Fishing for walleyes and northerns as well as bow fishing for carp. Canoeing. Look for kingfishers, wood ducks, and bluebirds. Predator hunting is available.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Reservation Dam WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Reservation Dam WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Reservation Dam WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Reservation Dam WMA?
Reservation Dam WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 671. The DNR registered 446 deer in DPA 671 in 2025.
| DPA | Reservation Dam WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 671 | 562 | 446 |
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 Reservation Dam WMA?
From Wheaton, go 5 miles SW on SH 27 then 1/2 mile W on SH 117.
Nearest towns: Wheaton (6 miles), Dumont (9 miles), Barry (14 miles) and Beardsley (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 27 and MN 117.
What other public land is near Reservation Dam WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Bois De Sioux WMA: 107 acres, 8.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Reservation Dam WMA
Counting Reservation Dam WMA itself, 572 of the 28,995 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 572 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Reservation Dam WMA?
In Traverse County, near Wheaton. The DNR's directions: From Wheaton, go 5 miles SW on SH 27 then 1/2 mile W on SH 117.
Which deer permit area is Reservation Dam WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 671. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Reservation Dam WMA?
572 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Reservation Dam WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. One other WMA is within 10 miles, the closest Bois De Sioux WMA (8.4 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Reservation Dam 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.