Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting rules and map
Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area is 3,229 acres in Elko County, managed by NDOW in its Eastern Region and inside hunt units 102 and 104. NDOW lists hunting on the area, with this rule first: the use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited.
Data updated October 2026. Area rules: NDOW's public land page, read 2026-10-18. Boundary and acres: NDOW GIS. Land around it: BLM.
BLMNational forestNational wildlife refugeFranklin Lake WMAHunt unit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 3,229 acres (NDOW legal acres) |
|---|---|
| County | Elko County |
| NDOW region | Eastern Region |
| Hunt units | 102, 104 |
| Status in NDOW's map | Designated |
| Camping | Not permitted |
| Nearest towns | Lamoille (25 mi), Spring Creek (28 mi) and Elko (37 mi) |
What is Franklin Lake WMA?
The Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of 3,188 acres in Ruby Valley approximately 60 miles southeast of Elko, Nevada which are associated with the Franklin Lake wetland ecosystem. An additional 2,665 acres of private land are connected to the WMA through a Conservation Easement.
In NDOW's words, from NDOW's public land page.
What are the rules on Franklin Lake WMA?
| Topic | NDOW's rule |
|---|---|
| Hunting | The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. |
| Camping | Not permitted |
| Campfires | Not permitted |
| Trespass and travel | No restrictions |
| Boats | No restrictions |
| Trapping | Permitted on a first come, first serve basis and may contain designation of specific trapping areas, dates or other restrictions to ensure compatibility with other public activities. |
| Bodies of water | Franklin Lake |
Source: NDOW, Your Public Land. Big game seasons on the area follow the hunt unit's regulations.
Which big game unit groups take in Franklin Lake WMA?
NDOW draws big game tags by unit group. The groups that include units 102 and 104, with NDOW's 2025 figures for the whole group, not the WMA alone:
| Species and group | Tags issued, 2025 | Successful hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Pronghorn antelope, 101 - 104, 108 - 109, 144 | 121 | 79 |
| Mule deer, 101 - 109 | 2,289 | 576 |
| Elk, 104, 108, 121 | 129 | 76 |
| Mountain goat, 102 | 15 | 10 |
| Moose, 061, 062, 064, 066 - 068, 071 - 077, 081, 101 - 103 | 2 | 2 |
| Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, 102 | 2 | 2 |
Source: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
What land surrounds Franklin Lake WMA?
BLM's surface management map shows no federal or state land inside the WMA boundary. Nearest towns: Lamoille (25 miles), Spring Creek (28 miles) and Elko (37 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Franklin Lake WMA?
Yes. NDOW's rule for hunting on the area: The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited.
Can you camp on Franklin Lake WMA?
No. NDOW lists camping as: Not permitted
Which hunt unit is Franklin Lake WMA in?
By NDOW's boundaries: unit 102 (3,087 acres) and unit 104 (120 acres).
Where is Franklin Lake WMA?
The Franklin Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of 3,188 acres in Ruby Valley approximately 60 miles southeast of Elko, Nevada which are associated with the Franklin Lake wetland ecosystem. The nearest town by the census map is Lamoille, 25 miles away.
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Where these facts come from
- Description and rules: NDOW, Your Public Land.
- Boundary, acres and status: NDOW wildlife management areas. Surrounding land: BLM Surface Management Agency map (national, limited scale).
- Unit group figures: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
FilledTag is not part of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Nevada hunting Eastern Region Pronghorn antelope 101 - 104, 108 - 109, 144 Mule deer 101 - 109 Elk 104, 108, 121 Mountain goat 102 Moose 061, 062, 064, 066 - 068, 071 - 077, 081, 101 - 103 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep 102