Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area is 1,693 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Palisade, inside Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 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 landOther federal landWillowsippi WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,693 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Palisade |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | Palisade (7 mi), Hill City (11 mi) and McGregor (17 mi) |
What is Willowsippi WMA like?
This WMA is made up of low, wet ground. Grass, brush, and tamarack are the major cover types on the unit. There are also old commercial wild rice beds found on this WMA.
This WMA is primarily managed for maintaining habitat for open land species such as sharp-tailed grouse and short-eared owls. There are state forest lands to the north and south of this unit. Good place to possibly see moose, sandhill cranes, or sharp-tailed grouse. Excellent place to see wintering great gray owls, snowy owls, northern hawk owls. Good place to see short-eared owls.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Willowsippi WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for Willowsippi WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Willowsippi WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Willowsippi WMA?
Willowsippi WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 in 2025, against 1,068 in 2024.
| DPA | Willowsippi WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 1,693 | 1,165 | 1,068 | 819 |
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 Willowsippi WMA?
From Palisade go 8 miles N. on Co. Rd. 5 to Co. Rd. 18. Most of the unit is on the N. side of Co. Rd. 18.
There is a gravel parking lot near the center of the unit. Additional parking lot on east side of unit at the end of 285th Pl.
Nearest towns: Palisade (7 miles), Hill City (11 miles), McGregor (17 miles) and Tamarack (20 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169.
What other public land is near Willowsippi WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Moose Willow WMA: 16,957 acres, 3 miles away
- Roberts-Wickstrom WMA: 786 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Hay Point WMA: 350 acres, 5.6 miles away
- Wold WMA: 425 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Gun Lake WMA: 830 acres, 9.4 miles away
- Sandy Lake Resevoir WMA: 24 acres, 9.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Willowsippi WMA
Counting Willowsippi WMA itself, 21,327 of the 35,520 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (60%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 19,624 |
| State wildlife management areas | 1,703 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Willowsippi WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Palisade. The DNR's directions: From Palisade go 8 miles N. on Co. Rd. 5 to Co. Rd. 18. Most of the unit is on the N. side of Co. Rd. 18.
Which deer permit area is Willowsippi WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Willowsippi WMA?
21,327 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Willowsippi WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Moose Willow WMA (3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Willowsippi 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.