South Shore Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
South Shore Wildlife Management Area is 1,572 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties, near Warroad, inside Deer Permit Area 105. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for it. Hunters registered 2,485 deer in DPA 105 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 landSouth Shore WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,572 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Roseau County and Lake of the Woods County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 105 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Warroad |
| DNR area office | Baudette |
| Nearest towns | Warroad (5 mi), Roosevelt (6 mi) and Williams (12 mi) |
What is South Shore WMA like?
Located on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, this WMA provides marsh habitat that is critical to a wide variety of species. This area is a very important stop over location for bluebills, ring-necked ducks, and many other diver duck species. Historically vast rafts of bluebills staged in front of this WMA but in recent years their numbers have declined greatly. Most furbearers common to northwestern Minnesota can be found here. Small game hunters may find Sharptails, Woodcock, Snipe, Sora and Virginia Rails.
Other migrating and nesting waterfowl use the area, as do numerous songbirds, shorebirds, terns and gulls. Sandhill Cranes and secretive marsh birds such as bitterns nest here as well.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on South Shore WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for South Shore WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on South Shore WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around South Shore WMA?
South Shore WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 105. The DNR registered 2,485 deer in DPA 105 in 2025, against 2,165 in 2024.
| DPA | South Shore WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 105 | 1,572 | 2,485 | 2,165 | 2,545 |
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 South Shore WMA?
From Warroad, go 3 miles E on Hwy 11 then 2.5 miles E on Co 12 then 1/4 mile N on Township Road.
There is one boat launch located on this WMA for small boats. Parking is limited.
Nearest towns: Warroad (5 miles), Roosevelt (6 miles), Williams (12 miles) and Roseau (24 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 11.
What other public land is near South Shore WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Rocky Point WMA: 466 acres, 0.8 miles away
- Larry Bernhoft WMA: 75 acres, 3.7 miles away
- East Branch WMA: 39 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Prosper WMA: 1,942 acres, 6 miles away
- Clear River WMA: 80 acres, 6.4 miles away
- Border WMA: 506 acres, 7.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of South Shore WMA
Counting South Shore WMA itself, 2,835 of the 60,581 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,988 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 847 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is South Shore WMA?
In Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties, near Warroad. The DNR's directions: From Warroad, go 3 miles E on Hwy 11 then 2.5 miles E on Co 12 then 1/4 mile N on Township Road.
Which deer permit area is South Shore WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 105. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around South Shore WMA?
2,835 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, South Shore WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Rocky Point WMA (0.8 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, South Shore 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.
Minnesota hunting Roseau County Lake of the Woods County DPA 105