Sauk River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Sauk River Wildlife Management Area is 939 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Stearns County, near Sauk Centre, inside Deer Permit Area 218. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,769 deer in DPA 218 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 areasCounty, city and regional landSauk River WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 939 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Stearns County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 218 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Sauk Centre |
| DNR area office | Sauk Rapids |
| Nearest towns | Sauk Centre (2 mi), Meire Grove (3 mi) and Melrose (4 mi) |
What is Sauk River WMA like?
Much of this WMA is situated along the Sauk River. Much of the riparian area is composed of willow, alder, and cattail making it an idea wintering area for pheasants and deer. Upland areas have been restored to prairie. Waterfowl use river corridor.
It is noteworthy to mention that over 3 miles of the Sauk River, where this WMA is located, is in permanent cover improving not only wildlife habitat, but significantly improving water quality. Other WMAs are serving similar functions.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Sauk River WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Sauk River WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Sauk River WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Sauk River WMA?
Sauk River WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 218. The DNR registered 3,769 deer in DPA 218 in 2025, against 3,553 in 2024.
| DPA | Sauk River WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 218 | 939 | 3,769 | 3,553 | 3,092 |
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 Sauk River WMA?
1 mile south of Sauk Centre within Sections22, 26, and 27, T126N, R34W. (Note: north and south units have merged with new acquisitions connecting the two).
Nearest towns: Sauk Centre (2 miles), Meire Grove (3 miles), Melrose (4 miles) and Greenwald (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-94, US 52, US 71, MN 28 and MN 4.
What other public land is near Sauk River WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Spirit Marsh WMA: 39 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Padua WMA: 324 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Victor Winter WMA: 160 acres, 6 miles away
- Christopher Kurilla WMA: 239 acres, 6.8 miles away
- Ritter WMA: 100 acres, 6.8 miles away
- Miller WMA: 39 acres, 7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Sauk River WMA
Counting Sauk River WMA itself, 1,753 of the 36,670 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,009 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 707 |
| County, city and regional land | 37 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sauk River WMA?
In Stearns County, near Sauk Centre. The DNR's directions: 1 mile south of Sauk Centre within Sections22, 26, and 27, T126N, R34W. (Note: north and south units have merged with new acquisitions connecting the two).
Which deer permit area is Sauk River WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 218. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Sauk River WMA?
1,753 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sauk River WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Spirit Marsh WMA (1.8 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Sauk River 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).
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