Trout Lily Wildlife Management Area

The Trust for Public Land’s acquisition and conveyance of 134 acres to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) made possible the creation of the Trout Lily Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on the Cannon River just northeast of Faribault in Rice County. Currently cropland with remnants of maple-basswood “Big Woods”, the new WMA will be restored to prairie while conserving habitat for the federally endangered dwarf trout lily, the state’s rarest plant. Building on the legacy of protected lands, the new WMA abuts a Nature Conservancy preserve as well as a State DNR Scientific and Natural Area. Trout Lily WMA will provide exceptional hunting opportunities for deer, pheasant, and turkeys within an hour’s drive of the Twin Cities.

Funding for this project was provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard- Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.