Swamp River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Swamp River Wildlife Management Area is 2,600 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Cook County, near Hovland, inside Deer Permit Area 126. The DNR's WMA data lists ducks and geese for it. Hunters registered 117 deer in DPA 126 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 forestState parksSwamp River WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,600 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 126 |
| DNR lists for hunting | ducks and geese |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hovland |
| DNR area office | Two Harbors |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Grand Marais (21 mi) |
What is Swamp River WMA like?
This WMA is primarily lowland habitat that is primarily managed for waterfowl, moose and wetland wildlife. It is best accessed by water.
Many waterfowl nesting structures have been installed.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Swamp River WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists ducks and geese for Swamp River WMA. Each follows the statewide season.
What are the rules on Swamp River WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Swamp River WMA: Use by motorized watercraft is permitted on this WMA by exception.
How many deer are taken around Swamp River WMA?
Swamp River WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 126. The DNR registered 117 deer in DPA 126 in 2025, against 85 in 2024.
| DPA | Swamp River WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 126 | 2,600 | 117 | 85 | 62 |
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 Swamp River WMA?
Primitive canoe access: From Hovland, go 5.6 miles north on Arrowhead Trail (Co Rd #16). Travel 0.3 miles east on a primitive road to a short carry down access point.
Nearest towns: Grand Marais (21 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 61.
What other public land is near Swamp River WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Horseshoe Bay WMA: 276 acres, 3.5 miles away
- East Colvill WMA: 616 acres, 8.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Swamp River WMA
Counting Swamp River WMA itself, 9,313 of the 44,819 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (20.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 5,699 |
| State wildlife management areas | 2,817 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 797 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Swamp River WMA?
In Cook County, near Hovland. The DNR's directions: Primitive canoe access: From Hovland, go 5.6 miles north on Arrowhead Trail (Co Rd #16). Travel 0.3 miles east on a primitive road to a short carry down access point.
Which deer permit area is Swamp River WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 126. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Swamp River WMA?
9,313 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Swamp River WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 2 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Horseshoe Bay WMA (3.5 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
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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, Swamp 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).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.