Roberts-Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Roberts-Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area is 786 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Palisade, inside Deer Permit Area 171. 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 1,165 deer in DPA 171 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 landRoberts-Wickstrom WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 786 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Palisade |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | Palisade (next to it), McGregor (11 mi) and Aitkin (17 mi) |
What is Roberts-Wickstrom WMA like?
This WMA is a wetland/forest complex with extensive low grassy areas. Silver maple and ash forest types are found along the Willow River, which flows along the east/southeast border of the WMA. Oak forest types exist in the northeast corner of the unit. This WMA is adjacent to the Willow River. Forest types along the river include silver maple, ash and elm. With oak, basswood, birch/white pine, balsam fir and cedar types throughout the rest of the unit. Lower areas on the unit have grass and brush types.
This WMA was created from Consolidated Conservation lands. This is a newer unit with emphasis on managing for deer, public hunting, waterfowl and protecting the river corridor. Upland forest types on this WMA are managed for ruffed grouse and deer. Open land on south end of the unit is managed for open land species such as sharp-tailed grouse and tree swallows. Timber on north end of the WMA is managed for deer, wood ducks, and bear. Deer, gray squirrels, hooded mergansers, wood ducks, otter, mink, painted turtles, northern harriers and white-breasted nuthatches may use this WMA. A snowmobile trail passes through the northwest of the unit. A carry down water access to the Willow River is available on this unit. Unique floodplain and northern forest types are on the north end of the WMA.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Roberts-Wickstrom WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 in 2025, against 1,068 in 2024.
| DPA | Roberts-Wickstrom WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 786 | 1,165 | 1,068 | 819 |
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 Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
2 miles N on Co Rd 5, 1 mile W on 499th Lane. From Palisade go 2 miles E. on Co. Rd. 10, 2 miles N. on 290th Place.
Wheelchair access limited to graveled access road.
Nearest towns: Palisade (next to it), McGregor (11 miles), Aitkin (17 miles) and Hill City (17 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 232 and US 169.
What other public land is near Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Gun Lake WMA: 830 acres, 3 miles away
- Wold WMA: 425 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Willowsippi WMA: 1,693 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Sandy Lake Resevoir WMA: 24 acres, 6.6 miles away
- French Lake WMA: 537 acres, 6.9 miles away
- Little Willow River WMA: 1,861 acres, 7.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
Counting Roberts-Wickstrom WMA itself, 10,151 of the 32,299 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (31.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 9,363 |
| State wildlife management areas | 788 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Palisade. The DNR's directions: 2 miles N on Co Rd 5, 1 mile W on 499th Lane. From Palisade go 2 miles E. on Co. Rd. 10, 2 miles N. on 290th Place.
Which deer permit area is Roberts-Wickstrom WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
10,151 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Roberts-Wickstrom WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Gun Lake WMA (3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Roberts-Wickstrom 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.