Thief Lake Wildlife
Management Area
 Habitat: Lake and marsh, deciduous woods, alder
thickets, fields.
Features: This large wildlife
area, managed by the Minnesota DNR, contains a large shallow lake as
well as several thousand acres of upland forested ridges. All told,
the unit is 55,000 acres in size and provides habitat for 232
different bird species. A small elk herd can be sighted in the
vicinity.
Best Times To Visit: April through October.
 Birds To Look For: Five species of grebes,
American Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, waterfowl
including Canvasback and Ruddy Duck, Franklin's Gull,
Sandhill Crane, warblers and grassland sparrows.
Notes For Birding The Area:
Follow the road along the south end of the lake. There is a
“wildlife viewing mound” along this road. The area is noted for
providing nesting and migratory habitat for many waterfowl species.
There is a handicapped accessible wildlife observation mound located
east of the headquarters and spectacular views of the lake can be
had from the mound. Look for shorebirds by the thousands during
August.
Contact: Thief Lake WMA, 42280
240th Ave. NE, Middle River, MN 56737, 218-222-3747.
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