Roseau Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Roseau Lake Wildlife Management Area is 8,023 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Roseau County, near Roseau, inside Deer Permit Area 267. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for it. Hunters registered 772 deer in DPA 267 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 landCounty, city and regional landRoseau Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 8,023 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Roseau County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 267 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Roseau |
| DNR area office | Roseau River WMA |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Roseau (5 mi), Badger (11 mi) and Greenbush (19 mi) |
What is Roseau Lake WMA like?
Roseau Lake was originally a shallow, permanent body of water and was attractive to migratory waterfowl. Ditching and channelization of the Roseau River drained the lake in the early 1900’s for agricultural purposes. Farming operations were abandoned due to the frequency of flooding leading to unreliable crop production. The lake remains drained, though it floods temporarily when water levels on the Roseau River are elevated, which is typical in the spring and less common in the summer and fall. Extensive brushlands and grasslands surround the basin.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Roseau Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for Roseau Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Roseau Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Roseau Lake WMA: Motorized watercraft (including electric trolling motors) are not allowed on Roseau Lake WMA at any time (except on the Roseau River).
How many deer are taken around Roseau Lake WMA?
Roseau Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 267. The DNR registered 772 deer in DPA 267 in 2025, against 733 in 2024.
| DPA | Roseau Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 267 | 8,023 | 772 | 733 | 700 |
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 Roseau Lake WMA?
From Roseau, go 3 miles W on SH 11 then 5 miles N on CO RD 123.
Parking areas are available on all sides of the WMA (see visitor map). There is one campsite located on the south edge of the WMA where 350th street meets the Roseau River. There is also a public boat access to the Roseau River on County Road 123.
Nearest towns: Roseau (5 miles), Badger (11 miles), Greenbush (19 miles) and Warroad (22 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 89, MN 310 and MN 11.
What other public land is near Roseau Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Rosver WMA: 37 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Roseau River WMA: 75,170 acres, 4.9 miles away
- Moose Marsh WMA: 77 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Ondatra WMA: 122 acres, 9.7 miles away
- Enstrom WMA: 79 acres, 10 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Roseau Lake WMA
Counting Roseau Lake WMA itself, 20,220 of the 58,323 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (34.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 12,197 |
| State wildlife management areas | 8,023 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Roseau Lake WMA?
In Roseau County, near Roseau. The DNR's directions: From Roseau, go 3 miles W on SH 11 then 5 miles N on CO RD 123.
Which deer permit area is Roseau Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 267. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Roseau Lake WMA?
20,220 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Roseau Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Rosver WMA (3.4 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Minnesota are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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, Roseau Lake 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.