Location: Squirrel Lake Waterfowl Production Area
Managed by: Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District
Management Address
26624 N. Tower Road
Detroit Lakes MN 56501-7959
This site is situated atop a knoll that overlooks a large area to the south. It was developed for deer hunters primarily but could be used to observe nature as well. Visitors are asked to contact the U.S.F.W.S. to obtain a permit at no cost (218) 847-4431. Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District is located in northwest Minnesota and includes the counties of Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, and Polk - an area of approximately 6,000 square miles. The district is divided into three general landscape areas, roughly equal in size. From west to east, these are: the Red River Valley floodplain, the glacial moraine/prairie pothole region, and the hardwood/coniferous forest.
Description
This ground stand is of plywood construction and gives a hunter protection from the elements on three sides. The deck is also plywood. Users may want to bring a tarp to place across the entrance for further protection. People who use wheelchairs will have to drive as close as possible to the stand in order to enter it because there is no accessible path of travel leading to the stand. The stand is placed on a knoll and overlooks a great deal of land to the south which is lower in elevation. Views in other directions are more restrictive due to brush and lay of land. Except for the occasional clump of trees and brush the area is slew, lakes, bull rushes, and prairie grasses.
The trail leading to the stand goes through the prairie and posed no problem to a two wheel drive vehicle with high ground clearance. This area is very remote once in the stand with very limited cell phone coverage so people are advised to inform others of your destination with a check in time so that they can call for help in case you do not check in. This site is not visited very frequently by any USFWS staff nor can it be seen from the road so it is doubtful anyone would see a person trying to get help.
The USFWS staff would like visitors to request a Special Use Permit prior to accessing the stand so you will have to call (218) 847-4431 or visit the office in Detroit Lakes.
Location Info » For directions, click the marker in the map. »
From Waubun, MN travel on Pleasant Ave (CR 113) east for approximately 2 and one quarter miles to T144 going south. Once on T144 travel 2/3 of a mile looking to the east for a log gate restricting access to the trail going to the blind.
Amenities
This site is very remote and is accessed via a long trail. Items such as food, gas, etc. can be purchased at area towns the closest being Waubun, MN.
Lodging
Lodging can be found at any of the larger communities surrounding this site including Detroit Lakes and Mahnomen.
