Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area is 54,632 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Marshall, Roseau and Beltrami counties, near Middle River, inside Deer Permit Areas 268, 101 and 267. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 801 deer in DPA 268 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 areasThief Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 54,632 acres in 21 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Marshall County, Roseau County and Beltrami County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 268, DPA 101, DPA 267 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Middle River |
| DNR area office | Thief Lake WMA |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Middle River (next to it), Strathcona (next to it) and Grygla (9 mi) |
What is Thief Lake WMA like?
Thief Lake WMA is a large management area comprised of variety of habitat types. At its core lies 7100 acre Thief Lake, a large marsh that is an important production and staging area for waterfowl.
A Controlled Hunt Zone (CHZ) with 85 blinds and shooting stations is present for waterfowl hunting. An observation mound and picnic area are found on the southwest part of the lake. Four boat launches are present.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Thief Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for Thief Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Thief Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Thief Lake WMA: Four boat launches and five primitive camping areas are present. There is a 5100 acre sanctuary which includes part of the lake; a Controlled Hunt Zone with 85 blinds/shooting stations; a 10 HP limit on boats on the lake; see hunting synopsis for details.
Thief Lake WMA is one of the WMAs where every trapper needs a permit from the area wildlife manager.
Highway-licensed vehicles may drive the established roads on Thief Lake WMA; on most WMAs vehicles are kept to designated routes.
How many deer are taken around Thief Lake WMA?
Thief Lake WMA lies in 3 deer permit areas. The DNR registered 801 deer in DPA 268 in 2025, against 810 in 2024.
| DPA | Thief Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 268 | 32,571 | 801 | 810 | 676 |
| DPA 101 | 22,057 | 759 | 688 | 594 |
| DPA 267 | 1 | 772 | 733 | 700 |
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 Thief Lake WMA?
From Middle River, travel 10 miles east on Marshall County 6, then go north 3.25 miles on Marshall County 49. The driveway to the headquarters is on the east side of the road.
Nearest towns: Middle River (next to it), Strathcona (next to it), Grygla (9 miles) and Newfolden (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 89 and MN 32.
What other public land is near Thief Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Wapiti WMA: 31,755 acres, next to it
- Palmville WMA: 14,885 acres, next to it
- Huntly WMA: 6,503 acres, next to it
- Skime WMA: 870 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Grygla WMA: 3,444 acres, 1 mile away
- Whiteford WMA: 76 acres, 3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Thief Lake WMA
Counting Thief Lake WMA itself, 81,845 of the 235,423 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (34.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 80,560 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,285 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Thief Lake WMA?
In Marshall, Roseau and Beltrami counties, near Middle River. The DNR's directions: From Middle River, travel 10 miles east on Marshall County 6, then go north 3.25 miles on Marshall County 49. The driveway to the headquarters is on the east side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Thief Lake WMA in?
DPA 268 (32,571 acres), DPA 101 (22,057 acres) and DPA 267 (1 acres). Each part follows its own permit area's bag limit.
How much public land is around Thief Lake WMA?
81,845 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Thief Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Wapiti WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Thief 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.
Minnesota hunting Marshall County Roseau County Beltrami County DPA 268 DPA 101 DPA 267