Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area is 1,494 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Dakota County, near Farmington, inside Deer Permit Area 605. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and mourning doves for it. Hunters registered 3,115 deer in DPA 605 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 areasCounty, city and regional landVermillion River WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,494 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Dakota County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 605 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and mourning doves |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Farmington |
| DNR area office | South Metro |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Coates (3 mi), Farmington (3 mi) and Vermillion (4 mi) |
What is Vermillion River WMA like?
Most of this unit has been under intense farming in the past. However, there is a portion in the center that has not been farmed and contains many remnant prairie species. The Vermillion River flows through the property and offers good trout fishing.
This unit has recently been seeded to native prairie. It will be mowed several times this year and will be slated for controlled burns in the future. This area offers great birding opportunities and a chance to view truly native remnant prairie species. Recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, birding, and nature photography. Special fishing regulations are posted at the access.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Vermillion River WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and mourning doves for Vermillion River WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Vermillion River WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Vermillion River WMA: Portions are posted archery only for deer. All other game restricted to shotguns with BBB shot or smaller. Access to portions of this WMA is limited during winter/spring months. Gates located on 190th St. (E of Biscayne Ave) and Annette Ave. (.5 mi S of Station Trail) are closed from the end of pheasant season until the May 1st or when road conditions permit.
How many deer are taken around Vermillion River WMA?
Vermillion River WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 605. The DNR registered 3,115 deer in DPA 605 in 2025, against 2,826 in 2024.
| DPA | Vermillion River WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 605 | 1,494 | 3,115 | 2,826 | 2,821 |
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 Vermillion River WMA?
From Farmington, go 0.5 miles N on State Highway 3, then go 2.7 miles E on County Highway 66 to the parking area on the left (north) side of the road.
Nearest towns: Coates (3 miles), Farmington (3 miles), Vermillion (4 miles) and Hampton (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 52, MN 56 and MN 3.
What other public land is near Vermillion River WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and WMA: 2,841 acres, next to it
- Hampton Woods WMA: 208 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Spring Lake Islands WMA: 766 acres, 6.3 miles away
- Chub Lake WMA: 203 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Vermillion River WMA
Counting Vermillion River WMA itself, 5,028 of the 37,826 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (13.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 4,563 |
| County, city and regional land | 465 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Vermillion River WMA?
In Dakota County, near Farmington. The DNR's directions: From Farmington, go 0.5 miles N on State Highway 3, then go 2.7 miles E on County Highway 66 to the parking area on the left (north) side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Vermillion River WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 605. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Vermillion River WMA?
5,028 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Vermillion River WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 4 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Vermillion Highlands Research Recreation and WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Vermillion 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.