Rodewald Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Rodewald Wildlife Management Area is 291 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Meeker County, near Cosmos, inside Deer Permit Area 283. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 584 deer in DPA 283 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 areasWalk-In AccessRodewald WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 291 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Meeker County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 283 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Cosmos |
| DNR area office | New London |
| Nearest towns | Cosmos (6 mi), Atwater (7 mi) and Lake Lillian (8 mi) |
What is Rodewald WMA like?
This unit is made up of approx. 90 acres of wetland, 9 acres of old farm groves, 5 acres in woody cover plantings, and 10 0+ acres of upland devoted to planted natives, old cool season grass sites and a maintained food plot on the W part of the unit. This unit is made up of approx. 90 acres of wetland, 9 acres of old farm groves, 5 acres in woody cover plantings, and 20+ acres of upland devoted to planted natives, cool season grass sites and a maintained food plot on the W part of the unit.
A ditch system affects the water levels in the WMA. New seedings of native plants, trees, and a new food plot site will be pluses for wildlife in the future. Variety of habitats available or under development for wildlife.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Rodewald WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Rodewald WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Rodewald WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Rodewald WMA?
Rodewald WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 283. The DNR registered 584 deer in DPA 283 in 2025, against 462 in 2024.
| DPA | Rodewald WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 283 | 291 | 584 | 462 | 507 |
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 Rodewald WMA?
Go North on MN #4 from its junction with MN # 7, 6 miles, then turn West and travel 1.5 miles to the East end of the unit.
No special accommodations for users with disabilities. Limited access via roads on the N and E, possibly the old drive (trail) entering the unit from the N. Limited access via roads on the N and E, possibly the old drive (trail) entering the unit from the N.
Nearest towns: Cosmos (6 miles), Atwater (7 miles), Lake Lillian (8 miles) and Grove City (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 4.
What other public land is near Rodewald WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Wieker WMA: 305 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Hen Haven WMA: 40 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Popular WMA: 206 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Gennessee WMA: 112 acres, 3 miles away
- Butternut WMA: 154 acres, 4 miles away
- Acton WMA: 40 acres, 4.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Rodewald WMA
Counting Rodewald WMA itself, 1,368 of the 25,806 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 686 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 682 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Rodewald WMA?
In Meeker County, near Cosmos. The DNR's directions: Go North on MN #4 from its junction with MN # 7, 6 miles, then turn West and travel 1.5 miles to the East end of the unit.
Which deer permit area is Rodewald WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 283. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Rodewald WMA?
1,368 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Rodewald WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Wieker WMA (1.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Rodewald 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.