Maskenthine Lake WMA: Waterfowl and Upland Hunting in Stanton County

Maskenthine Lake WMA in Stanton County is a compact but productive hunting spot in northeast Nebraska that combines a lake, grasslands, and agricultural edges into a versatile public land package. The lake attracts migrating waterfowl, the grasslands hold upland birds, and the whole property provides enough cover and food to support a resident deer herd. For hunters in the Norfolk area looking for accessible public land, Maskenthine delivers.

The Maskenthine Property

Maskenthine Lake is a small man-made reservoir surrounded by WMA-managed grasslands and scattered woody cover. The lake itself is the anchor — it provides a water source, attracts migrating birds, and creates the wetland-edge habitat that supports diverse wildlife. The surrounding grasslands are maintained through burning and grazing to keep the habitat structure suitable for nesting and cover.

The WMA is not a large property, which means you can learn it quickly and hunt it efficiently. On a single visit you can identify the waterfowl staging areas, the pheasant cover, and the deer travel routes. That kind of knowledge comes fast on smaller properties.

Waterfowl Hunting

The lake's primary hunting value is waterfowl. During fall migration, ducks and geese use the lake as a resting and feeding stop along the Central Flyway. Mallards, teal, gadwall, and various diver species pass through depending on the timing and weather. A cold front in October or November can push fresh birds into the lake overnight.

Set up on the shoreline with a modest decoy spread in the shallows. Wind direction dictates where you set up — position yourself so incoming birds approach over your decoys into the wind. Early morning hunts tend to be the most productive, especially on migration days when birds that arrived overnight are actively moving.

Pheasant Hunting

The grasslands surrounding the lake hold pheasants during the upland season. Work the heavier cover areas — tall native grasses, brushy edges, and any standing crops or food plots on the property. Pheasants at Maskenthine behave like pheasants everywhere: they hold tight in thick cover until you are almost on top of them, then flush with that heart-stopping cackle.

The grassland edges near the lake can be particularly productive. Birds use the lakeshore vegetation for escape cover and the surrounding grass for feeding and loafing. Hunt the transition zone between these habitats for the best results.

Deer Hunting

Whitetail deer use the WMA as part of their broader home range in the agricultural landscape. The woody cover along the lake edges and in the drainage areas provides bedding and travel cover. These are not wilderness deer — they live among the cornfields and hay meadows and use the WMA's public land as a secure cover block.

Archery hunting can be productive for patient hunters who scout the travel routes between the WMA cover and surrounding food sources. Look for trails entering and exiting the property along fence lines and woody draws.

Access and Nearby Towns

Stanton is the nearest small town, and Norfolk is about 15 miles to the north with full services including lodging, restaurants, and sporting goods stores. The WMA has parking and walk-in access. It is easy to reach from Highway 275 and makes a convenient hunting destination for anyone in the northeast Nebraska area.

When to Hunt

Waterfowl migration peaks from mid-October through November. Pheasant season opens in late October. Archery deer season opens September 1, with November offering the best rut activity. Maskenthine Lake WMA is a solid all-around spot that is easy to access, easy to learn, and consistently holds game.