Both the grasslands and prairie potholes of northwest Minnesota were largely eliminated when the land was converted to agriculture, but Detroit Lakes WMD preserves important habitat in this area for waterfowl and other wildlife. Covering parts of five counties, the district manages over 42,000 acres on its 165 waterfowl production areas (WPAs), all of which are open to public hunting. The district is important as a waterfowl breeding area, as well as for the preservation of native tallgrass prairie habitat. About 3,200 acres of remnant prairie can be found on the WPAs. Hunters will find good populations of ducks during the season, as well as good numbers of deer living on the prairie habitat. There are also limited opportunities for hunting pheasant on some of the WPAs.