Sugar Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Sugar Lake Wildlife Management Area is 383 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Itasca County, near Pennington, inside Deer Permit Area 197. 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 1,098 deer in DPA 197 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 landNational forestSugar Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 383 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Itasca County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 197 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Pennington |
| DNR area office | Grand Rapids |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Bena (10 mi), Cass Lake (12 mi) and Squaw Lake (15 mi) |
What is Sugar Lake WMA like?
This WMA was established in 1983 to construct a 180 acre impoundment that created a type 4 wetland for waterfowl production and migration habitat. A stand of wild rice has been established.
There are opportunities for trapping aquatic furbearers particularly beaver (obtain permit from manager). There are good opportunities to view wetland wildlife form the dike. Management involves manipulating water levels for optimum waterfowl habitat.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Sugar Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Sugar Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Sugar Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Sugar Lake WMA: Park on Third River Road if the first gate is closed; otherwise park at second gate.
How many deer are taken around Sugar Lake WMA?
Sugar Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 197. The DNR registered 1,098 deer in DPA 197 in 2025, against 831 in 2024.
| DPA | Sugar Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 197 | 383 | 1,098 | 831 | 871 |
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 Sugar Lake WMA?
From Pennington, go 5.5 miles south on CSAH 39 (Scenic Highway), then 8 miles northeast on USFS Road 2671 (Third River Road), then.6 miles south on USFS Road 2939 to second gate.
Nearest towns: Bena (10 miles), Cass Lake (12 miles), Squaw Lake (15 miles) and Federal Dam (16 miles).
What other public land is near Sugar Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Morph Meadows WMA: 4,896 acres, 5.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Sugar Lake WMA
Counting Sugar Lake WMA itself, 20,004 of the 25,076 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (79.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 13,402 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 6,219 |
| State wildlife management areas | 383 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sugar Lake WMA?
In Itasca County, near Pennington. The DNR's directions: From Pennington, go 5.5 miles south on CSAH 39 (Scenic Highway), then 8 miles northeast on USFS Road 2671 (Third River Road), then.6 miles south on USFS Road 2939 to second gate.
Which deer permit area is Sugar Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 197. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Sugar Lake WMA?
20,004 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sugar Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. One other WMA is within 10 miles, the closest Morph Meadows WMA (5.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Sugar 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.