Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area is 5,319 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Cottonwood and Murray counties, near Dundee, inside Deer Permit Area 238. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 114 deer in DPA 238 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 areasWalk-In AccessTalcot Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 5,319 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Cottonwood County and Murray County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 238 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Dundee |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Dundee (next to it), Kinbrae (2 mi) and Heron Lake (5 mi) |
What is Talcot Lake WMA like?
The WMA includes Talcot Lake, its marshes, and bottomlands along the west branch of the Des Moines River along with adjacent grassland and cropland. This unit has been historically important for migrating waterfowl.
Controlled hunt zones, wildlife sanctuary, and waterfowl refuge boundaries are posted; however, visitors are strongly encouraged to obtain a map of the area from the Headquarters. The WMA is closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Cottonwood County Parks has a campground on the south end of Talcot Lake, on State Highway 62.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Talcot Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Talcot Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Talcot Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Talcot Lake WMA: Wildlife sanctuary-no trespassing anytime. Waterfowl refuge-no waterfowl hunting allowed. Motors are permitted on the lake (except on any day the waterfowl season is open) but are prohibited on the river and marshes at any time of the year.
Talcot Lake WMA is one of the WMAs where every trapper needs a permit from the area wildlife manager.
Talcot Lake WMA has accessible duck or goose hunting blinds for hunters with mobility issues.
Talcot Lake WMA has a wheelchair-accessible deer blind; the DNR says to call ahead (reservations required).
How many deer are taken around Talcot Lake WMA?
Talcot Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 238. The DNR registered 114 deer in DPA 238 in 2025, against 104 in 2024.
| DPA | Talcot Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 238 | 5,319 | 114 | 104 | 116 |
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 Talcot Lake WMA?
From Windom, go 15 miles west on State Highway 62, then North 2 3/4 miles on Cottonwood County Road 7. The WMA Headquarters are on the west side of the road.
Nearest towns: Dundee (next to it), Kinbrae (2 miles), Heron Lake (5 miles) and Fulda (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 62.
What other public land is near Talcot Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Voit WMA: 47 acres, next to it
- Cotton-Jack WMA: 254 acres, next to it
- Kinbrae WMA: 109 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Expandere WMA: 1,178 acres, 3.1 miles away
- Eagle Lake WMA: 52 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Winkler WMA: 119 acres, 3.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Talcot Lake WMA
Counting Talcot Lake WMA itself, 6,670 of the 58,330 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 5,781 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 889 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Talcot Lake WMA?
In Cottonwood and Murray counties, near Dundee. The DNR's directions: From Windom, go 15 miles west on State Highway 62, then North 2 3/4 miles on Cottonwood County Road 7. The WMA Headquarters are on the west side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Talcot Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 238. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Talcot Lake WMA?
6,670 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Talcot Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Voit WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Talcot 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.