Wrenshall Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Wrenshall Wildlife Management Area is 160 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Carlton County, near Wrenshall, inside Deer Permit Area 153. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,144 deer in DPA 153 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 landState parksWrenshall WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 160 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Carlton County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 153 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Wrenshall |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Nearest towns | Wrenshall (4 mi), Carlton (6 mi) and Scanlon (9 mi) |
What is Wrenshall WMA like?
Mostly upland grasslands and brushlands, with small pockets of aspen and ash forest.
This WMA is an old farm site that is now managed for sharp-tailed grouse habitat. This unit offers openland wildlife viewing opportunities and a walking trail.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Wrenshall WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Wrenshall WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Wrenshall WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Wrenshall WMA?
Wrenshall WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 153. The DNR registered 1,144 deer in DPA 153 in 2025.
| DPA | Wrenshall WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 153 | 160 | 1,144 |
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 Wrenshall WMA?
From Wrenshall, go 1 mile S on CSAH 1, then 1 mile W on CSAH 4, then 2 miles S on TWP 102.
One parking lot exists on the east side of the unit.
Nearest towns: Wrenshall (4 miles), Carlton (6 miles), Scanlon (9 miles) and Esko (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 23.
What other public land is near Wrenshall WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Blackhoof River WMA: 4,028 acres, 2 miles away
- Gichigami Ziibi WMA: 895 acres, 7.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Wrenshall WMA
Counting Wrenshall WMA itself, 1,914 of the 22,497 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,754 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 160 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Wrenshall WMA?
In Carlton County, near Wrenshall. The DNR's directions: From Wrenshall, go 1 mile S on CSAH 1, then 1 mile W on CSAH 4, then 2 miles S on TWP 102.
Which deer permit area is Wrenshall WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 153. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Wrenshall WMA?
1,914 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Wrenshall WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 2 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Blackhoof River WMA (2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Wrenshall 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.