Duck Hunting in Central MN

When it comes to waterfowl hunting, there’s nothing more beautiful than watching ducks glide into your decoy spread – it’s art. And there’s something special about duck hunting in central Minnesota. There are so many bodies of water open to the public to explore within a couple hours drive of most of the state.  Perhaps even better, after a long day out in the cold, there are many warm, affordable lakeside accommodations on or within minutes of the hunting area.

Tips for Duck Hunting in Central MN

Do you want to try duck hunting in central MN but don’t know where to go, or how to go about it? It’s a lot of work, and it can tend to not pan out exactly the way you planned. Most waterfowlers aren’t in it for the meat. While ducks, especially mallards, are excellent table fare, duck hunting is about comradery and having a memorable experience with friends and family. There’s a social aspect to duck hunting that makes it a favorite among hunters. 

Hunting on Wildlife Management Areas

There are plenty of public land opportunities in central Minnesota near Campfire Bay Resort where you can hunt waterfowl! The Kobliska Wildlife Management Area is an excellent piece of land to chase birds with its plentiful grassy, as well as wooded, areas. There is also a large marsh with a boat access located on the edge of the WMA. However, be sure to do your research/scouting, in dry years there isn’t always enough water to utilize larger duck boats with motors. A canoe or small jon boat can be a great option for these years.

Two other great options within 15-20 minutes of the resort are the Staples WMA, and the Little Elk River WMA. Both have plenty of acreage and marshes located within them. 

Where To Find WMA Information

A great source for public land hunting information is https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/compass.html It provides an interactive map for the user. Always be sure to check the DNR website and to follow all local, state, and federal laws while visiting public land.

Another thing to remember is certain WMA’s may not allow all types of hunting, or be open during all hunting seasons. Importantly, some WMA’s also don’t allow motorized vehicles, which includes boats. Again, a canoe, or a small row boat/jon boat can be a great option. Be sure to check the DNR website on these sites before pursuing any wild game. 

Best Local Lakes for Duck Hunting

There are plenty of species that utilize the lakes in the area during the migration. There are plenty of mallards, but I’ve also witnessed, and harvested wood ducks, teal, pintail, and bluebills and other diving ducks like buffleheads and ringnecks. I can’t lie and say that this area has incredible duck hunting, it’s good, and if you plan ahead, scout, and seek local knowledge, you can certainly have a great hunt. 

The first time I ever duck hunted on Fish Trap Lake in north central Minnesota, we shot a mallard, three bufflehead, and two geese. We also had our fair share of missed shots. There were lots of ducks flying, but I think being on such a large body of water can make it difficult to get their attention. However, seeing those divers working low and fast across the water towards your decoys elicits a lot of excitement.

In the future, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to run a couple long lines with 2-3 dozen divers. I think you’d be surprised how many divers utilize Fish Trap during the migration. 

How to Waterfowl Hunt

Birds seem to use the bigger lakes for places to relax after the morning and night time flights or “feeds.” It’s good to be out at first light but it seems as though the action doesn’t typically heat up till about 8-9 in the morning, and cools down around 10:30-11. The evening can be a good time to get out, but it seems like the morning always produces more birds.

When duck hunting in central MN on larger bodies of water I try to throw out as many decoys as I can fit in the boat, especially during the late season. For hunting on smaller lakes and marshes, I like to run 1-2 dozen decoys, and a couple of mojo’s, out of a canoe. Because birds like mallards see a lot of spreads and spinning wing decoys, I like to have a bit more diverse decoy spread, and sometimes I’ll even leave the spinners at home, especially on windy days.

When scouting local lakes, including Fish Trap, there are a few important things to look out for in regards to good hunting locations. Not every point or shallow bay is going to be great duck hunting. There are certain aspects to look for, like good cover, and shallow, but not weedy, water. There are many bays on bigger lakes that have shallow water for setting your decoys, and good cover to hide yourself and your boat. Remember to keep the regulations in mind, and to stay far enough away from structures like cabins. 

Personally, I like to chase waterfowl on public land and on some of the local lakes, including Fish Trap. While there might not always be non-stop action, if you plan your hunt out in relation to an upcoming cold front, it can produce results.

Hunting All Day Deserves a Nice Place to Stay

Duck hunting in central MN is hard work, and hard on you. If you’re planning on hunting for more than a couple days in a row, you know how important sleep is. So why stay in a camper, a hunting shack, or drive hours in the early morning to a lake when you can stay here in clean, comfortable cabins at Campfire Bay Resort? Enjoying the time after the hunt, playing cards and reminiscing about the morning is always better by the fireplace. There’s no better place in the area to access all of the great outdoor opportunities than here at Campfire Bay.