Mantrap WMA Opens
Representatives of the agencies, conservation organizations and BMLA that partnered to purchase undeveloped Wonewok land stand with the new Mantrap Wildlife Management Area sign.
Blue skies and perfect temperatures greeted the roughly 100 people who attended the grand opening of the Mantrap Wildlife Management Area June 25.
The event celebrated a huge conservation accomplishment for Big Mantrap Lake. About 450 acres of undeveloped land and more than 6 miles of shoreline are permanently protected and now open for public use on Big Mantrap.
This achievement was made possible by a statewide multiyear partnership of public agencies, conservation organizations, funders and local supporters. The goal was to preserve ecologically significant land and shoreline surrounding 3M’s historic Wonewok retreat and conference center. In March 2025, the Northern Waters Land Trust and Minnesota Land Trust bought the property with help from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Recently, the land was officially conveyed to the DNR, which will operate the WMA. The DNR has been busy preparing the property to be opened for pubic use.
The celebration featured music, information booths, speakers, hiking and boat tours, and unveiling of the Mantrap WMA signage. Big Mantrap Lake Association volunteers provided their pontoons and drove guests around the property so they could view it from the water. Agency volunteers led guided hikes through some of the trails.
Speakers included partners who collaborated to realize this dream, including Northern Waters Land Trust, the Minnesota Land Trust, the Minnesota DNR and the Big Mantrap Lake Association.
Northern Waters Land Trust and Minnesota Land Trust purchased the land for protection with support from Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and by the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project, which was funded by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Deepwater Horizon settlement.
More information on Wildlife Management Areas is available on the DNR website. Specific details about the Mantrap WMA will be added soon.
