Wisconsin public hunting land and wildlife areas
Public hunting grounds
The regions are divided into counties
Info includes size, location, principal wildlife, and habitat.
Contact the regional DNR office formore info
Click on region for detail
   

Central River

Adams County
 
Colburn Wildlife Area
Size: 4,965 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 13 miles northeast of Friendship, access from Co. Hwy C.
Principal Wildlife: Ruffed grouse, deer, rabbits, ducks, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Hiking, fishing.
Habitat: Marsh, forest, brush.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR
 
 
Lawrence Creek State Natural Area
961acres
Deer, Small Game, Grouse, Waterfowl
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR
 
 
Leola Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 1,860 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 15 miles southeast of Wisconsin Rapids; access from Co. Hwys D and W.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, rabbits, prairie chickens, raptors.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking.
Habitat: Upland grasslands.
Contact: Friendship DNR.
 
 
Columbia County
 
 
French Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 3,176 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 6 miles northeast of Portage on Hwy. F. Disjunct ownership in towns of Fort Winnebago and Marcellon in Columbia County and town of Buffalo in Marquette County.
Principal Wildlife: Pheasants, waterfowl, deer, turkeys, furbearers, squirrels, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Fishing, birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, forest.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Pine Island Wildlife Area-Size: 5,043 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Just west of Portage on Levee Road off Hwy. 33.
Principal Wildlife: Geese, ducks, turkeys, squirrels, deer, pheasants, ruffed grouse, furbearers, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Canoeing and boating on Wisconsin River, dog training, hiking, fishing.
Habitat: Marsh, forest, river.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Swan Lake Wildlife Area-Size: 1,679 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 1 mile east of Portage off Hwy. P.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, deer, furbearers, rabbits, squirrels, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching.
Habitat: Marsh, timber, cropland.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Peter Helland Wildlife Area-Size: 2,997 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 6 miles east of Pardeeville on Hwy. P.
Principal Wildlife: Pheasants, waterfowl, deer, rabbits, furbearers, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, berry picking, canoeing.
Habitat: Marsh, upland grasslands, stream.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Dekorra Public Hunting Grounds-Size: 242 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 8 miles northwest of Poynette off of Hwy. V just west of Interstate 90/94.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, deer, furbearers, squirrels.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, farmland.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Hinkson Creek Fishery Area-Size: 160 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles west from Poynette on Hwy. CS, then north on Hwy. J 3/4 mile to Kent Road. Go 1 mile east on Kent Rd. to Branton Rd., then north.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, rabbits, furbearers, waterfowl, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing.
Habitat: Wetland, lowland hardwood timber, stream.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Rowan Creek Fishery Area-Size: 629 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 1 mile east of Poynette on Hwy. 51 and 2 miles west of Poynette on Hwy CS.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, squirrels, grouse, furbearers, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking, cross-country skiing, trout fishing.
Habitat: Wetland, stream, lowland hardwood timber.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area-Size: 710 acres, all state-owned.
Location: From Rio, take Hwy. B west 6 miles to Dunning Road, then north 1/2 mile to access point.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, furbearers, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, birdwatching.
Habitat: Marsh, forest, cropland, stream.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Mud Lake Wildlife Area-Size: 2,139 acres, all state-owned.
Location: South of Rio 1 mile on Hwy. C, then west on Drake Road 1 mile.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, pheasants, deer, squirrels, rabbits, furbearers, sandhill cranes, herons.
Other Recreation: Canoeing, birdwatching.
Habitat: Marsh, potholes, forest, grassland fields.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Duck Creek Public Hunting Grounds-Size: 159 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Four miles east of Wyocena on Hwy. G, south side of G, section 21 town of Springvale.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, pheasants, furbearers.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking.
Habitat: Grassland, stream.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Jennings Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 530 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Head north out of Rio on Hwy. SS 2 miles to Jennings Road, then east on Jennings less than 2 miles to Ludwig Road, then continue to Jennings Creek.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, woodcock, furbearers, ducks, rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing.
Habitat: Forest, marsh.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
Grassy Lake Wildlife Area-Size: 695 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles southeast of Rio on Hwy. 16. Take Erdman Road or Fischer Road off Hwy. 16.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, pheasants, rabbits, furbearers, deer, squirrels, sandhill cranes, herons, egrets.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, farmland, forest.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 1,496 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Go south of Randolph 1 mile on Hwy. 73 to Hwy. G. Go west on G 3 miles to wildlife area.
Principal Wildlife: Pheasants, waterfowl, squirrels, deer, rabbits, furbearers, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking.
Habitat: Marsh, potholes, stream, grassland.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Lodi Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 1,207 acres, (1,070 owned, 137 leased).
Location: 2 miles southwest of Lodi on Hwy. Y.
Principal Wildlife: Pheasants, ducks, woodcock, furbearers, deer, squirrels, turkeys.
Other Recreation: Hiking, berry picking, birdwatching.
Habitat: Grassland, marsh, stream, woodlots.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Hampden Wetland Public Hunting Grounds-Size: 227 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Take Hwy. 60, 6 miles west from Columbus to Hwy. A, then south on A 4 miles to Arnold Road.
Principal Wildlife: Pheasants, deer.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching.
Habitat: Marsh, potholes, lowland timber.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
 
Green Lake County
 
 
White River Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 11,093 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles north of Princeton on Hwy. D.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, waterfowl, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels, furbearers, sandhill cranes, red foxes, herons, hawks, wild turkeys.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, berry and nut picking, fishing, canoeing. Two canoe landings.
Habitat: Brush and grass wetland, scattered woodlots, small wetland restorations and farmland.
Contact: Berlin DNR.
 
 
Juneau County
 
 
Dell Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 2,125 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 7 miles northeast of Reedsburg on Hwy. H.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse, squirrels, woodcock, rabbits, turkeys.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, hiking.
Habitat: Stream, forest, farmland.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
Dell Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 2,125 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 7 miles northeast of Reedsburg on Hwy. H.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse, squirrels, woodcock, rabbits, turkeys.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, hiking.
Habitat: Stream, forest, farmland.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
Meadow Valley -Size: 57,612 acres, (1,212 owned, 56,400 leased from federal government).
Location: 10 miles west of Necedah and 5 miles southwest of Babcock.
Principal Wildlife: Grouse, deer, squirrels, waterfowl, rabbits, raccoon, turkeys, sandhill cranes, Karner blue butterfly.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, forest, lakes, open fields.
Contact: DNR - Sandhill Wildlife Area.
 
 
Marathon County
 
McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 5,759 acres, (4,117 owned, 1,642 leased).
Location: 1 mile north of Marshfield and 3 miles southeast of Spencer. Access from Hwys. C, E and F.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, grouse, pheasants, deer, rabbits, woodcock, raptors.
Other Recreation: Hiking, birdwatching, trapping.
Habitat: Marsh, forested lowland.
Contact: Mead Wildlife Area.
 
 
Mead (George W.) Wildlife Area-Size: 28,500 acres, (28,208 owned, 292 leased).
Location: 11 miles southwest of Mosinee; Hwy. S bisects property. Access also from Hwys. C, M, H and O.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, deer, grouse, woodcock, squirrels, rabbits, raptors, trumpeter swans.
Other Recreation: Trapping, hiking, birdwatching.
Habitat: River, marsh, brush, forest.
Contact: Mead Wildlife Area.
 
 
Marquette County
 
 
Mecan River System Fishery Area-Size: 6,007 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 8 miles north of Harrisville on Hwy. B.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, squirrels, ruffed grouse, turkeys, woodcocks, furbearers, rabbits.
Other Recreation: Fishing.
Habitat: Spring pond, marsh, fields, forest.
Contact: Wautoma DNR.
 
 
Mecan River Wildlife Area-Size: 740 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 11 miles north of Montello on Hwy. 22.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, turkeys, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, canoeing.
Habitat: Stream, forested upland, clearings.
Contact: Berlin DNR.
 
 
Lawrence Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 961 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 4 miles west of Westfield on Eagle Avenue.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, squirrels, ruffed grouse, turkeys, wood ducks, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, berry picking, birdwatching, hiking.
Habitat: Stream, timbered upland.
Contact: Berlin DNR.
 
 
Caves Creek Fishery Area-Size: 650 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 2 miles northeast of Westfield off of Seventh Road.
Principal Wildlife: Woodcock, ruffed grouse, deer, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, furbearers, raptors.
Other Recreation: Fishing, birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Stream, forest.
Contact: Wautoma DNR.
 
 
Germania Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 2,393 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 1/2 mile north of Germania on Hwy. N.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, rabbits, furbearers, deer, squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodcock, turkey.
Other Recreation: Three boat landings, canoeing, berry picking, birdwatching, hiking.
Habitat: Marsh, river, brush, flowage, woodlots.
Contact: Berlin DNR.
 
 
Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 6,913 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles west of Kingston on Hwy. B.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, deer, turkeys, rabbits, pheasants, squirrels, furbearers, osprey, cormorant, herons, Forster's terns.
Other Recreation: Three boat landings, fishing, birdwatching, canoeing, berry and nut collecting.
Habitat: Marsh, farmland, woodlots, river.
Contact: Berlin DNR.
 
French Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 3,176 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 6 miles northeast of Portage on Hwy. F. Disjunct ownership in towns of Fort Winnebago and Marcellon in Columbia County and town of Buffalo in Marquette County.
Principal Wildlife: Pheasants, waterfowl, deer, turkeys, furbearers, squirrels, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Fishing, birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, forest.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
Sauk County
 
 
Dell Creek Wildlife Area-Size: 2,125 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 7 miles northeast of Reedsburg on Hwy. H.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse, squirrels, woodcock, rabbits, turkeys.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, hiking.
Habitat: Stream, forest, farmland.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
 
Pine Island Wildlife Area-Size: 5,043 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Just west of Portage on Levee Road off Hwy. 33.
Principal Wildlife: Geese, ducks, turkeys, squirrels, deer, pheasants, ruffed grouse, furbearers, sandhill cranes.
Other Recreation: Canoeing and boating on Wisconsin River, dog training, hiking, fishing.
Habitat: Marsh, forest, river.
Contact: Poynette DNR.
 
Bear Creek Fishery Area-Size: 798 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 8 miles north of Lone Rock on Hwy. 130.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, waterfowl, raptors.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing.
Habitat: Marsh, farmland.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
 
White Mound County Park-Size: 1,092 acres, all state-owned, county managed.
Location: Take Hwy. 23 North of Spring Green. Turn west on Hwy. GG. Go about 1 1/2 miles.
Principal Wildlife: Ruffed grouse, deer, turkeys, squirrels.
Other Recreation: Camping, hiking, birdwatching, fishing.
Habitat: Lake, forest, cropland, brush.
Contact: Sauk County Parks and Recreation Department.
 
Bakkens Pond Unit- Lower WI State Riverway-Size: 2,678 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Four miles west of Spring Green on Kennedy Road.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, rabbits, deer, grouse, woodcock, furbearers, swans.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, fishing, canoeing. One boat launch.
Habitat: River, sloughs, marsh, floodplain forest.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
 
Cassel Prairie Unit- Lower WI State Riverway-Size: 400 acres, all state owned.
Location: 6 miles west of Sauk City off Hwy. 60.
Principal Wildlife: Bald eagles, waterfowl, furbearers, rabbits, deer, turkeys.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, fishing, prairie aesthetics.
Habitat: Prairie, floodplain forest, marsh.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
Portage County
 
 
Mead (George W.) Wildlife Area-Size: 28,500 acres, (28,208 owned, 292 leased).
Location: 11 miles southwest of Mosinee; Hwy. S bisects property. Access also from Hwys. C, M, H and O.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, deer, grouse, woodcock, squirrels, rabbits, raptors, trumpeter swans.
Other Recreation: Trapping, hiking, birdwatching.
Habitat: River, marsh, brush, forest.
Contact: Mead Wildlife Area.
 
 
Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area-Size: 5,677 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 6 miles north of Stevens Point. Access from Co. Hwy X and Hay Meadow Rd. Hay Meadow Creek runs through site.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse, rabbits, squirrels.
Other Recreation: Hiking, birdwatching.
Habitat: Marsh, brush, forest.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
 
 
Little Wolf River Fishery Area- 340 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 5 miles northeast of Rosholt. Access from Hwy. 49.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing.
Habitat: Cropland, brushy wooded upland, densely wooded streambanks.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
 
Bradley Creek Fishery Area-Size: 378 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles northeast of Rosholt. Access from Hwy. 49.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse, squirrels.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing.
Habitat: Stream, brush, forest.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
Paul J. Olson Wildlife Area-Size-: 1,650 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Parcel 1 is 4 miles west of Rudolph on Hwy. M in Wood County; Parcel 2 is 3 miles north of Rudolph on Hwy. C in Portage County.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, squirrels, grouse, raptors, prairie chickens.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking, berry picking.
Habitat: Forest, brush, grassland.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
 
Richard J. Hemp Fishery Area-Size: 1,221 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 3 miles north of Nelsonville; access from Hwys. ZZ and Z.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, squirrels, ruffed grouse, Karner blue butterflies.
Other Recreation: Trout fishing, hiking.
Habitat: Rolling woodland, brushy, stream bottoms, farmland.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
 
Buena Vista Wildlife Area-Size: 11,340 acres, (6,940 owned, 4,400 leased).
Location: 10 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids on Hwy. W and 4 miles south of Plover; scattered parcels.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, woodcock, grouse, rabbits, prairie chickens, raptors.
Other Recreation: Hiking, birdwatching, trout fishing.
Habitat: Grassland, woodlots.
Contact: Friendship DNR.
 
 
Emmons Creek Fishery Area-Size: 1,470 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 8 miles northeast of Almond on Hwy. D. Access from Fountain Lake Road. Site near Hartman Creek State Park.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkeys, Karner blue butterflies.
Other Recreation: Fishing, hiking, birdwatching.
Habitat: Stream, brush, forest.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
 
 
Spring Green Unit- Lower WI State Riverway-Size: 600 acres, all state owned.
Location: West and east of Spring Green off Hwy. 23.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, furbearers, rabbits, deer, turkeys.
Other Recreation: Canoeing, fishing. One boat launch.
Habitat: Floodplain forest, wet prairie.
Contact: Tower Hill State Park.
 
Wood County
 
 
Mead (George W.) Wildlife Area-Size: 28,500 acres, (28,208 owned, 292 leased).
Location: 11 miles southwest of Mosinee; Hwy. S bisects property. Access also from Hwys. C, M, H and O.
Principal Wildlife: Waterfowl, deer, grouse, woodcock, squirrels, rabbits, raptors, trumpeter swans.
Other Recreation: Trapping, hiking, birdwatching.
Habitat: River, marsh, brush, forest.
Contact: Mead Wildlife Area.
 
Paul J. Olson Wildlife Area-Size-: 1,650 acres, all state-owned.
Location: Parcel 1 is 4 miles west of Rudolph on Hwy. M in Wood County; Parcel 2 is 3 miles north of Rudolph on Hwy. C in Portage County.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, squirrels, grouse, raptors, prairie chickens.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking, berry picking.
Habitat: Forest, brush, grassland.
Contact: Wisconsin Rapids DNR.
 
 
Sandhill Wildlife Area-Size: 9,455 acres, all state-owned.
Location: 1 mile northwest of Babcock; access from Hwys. X and 54.
Principal Wildlife: Deer, waterfowl, squirrels, ruffed grouse, woodcock, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, buffalo, Karner blue butterfly.
Other Recreation: Hiking, birdwatching, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, forest.
Contact: DNR - Sandhill Wildlife Area.
 
Wood County Wildlife Area-Size: 19,303 acres, (959 owned, 18,344 leased).
Location: 1 mile southwest of Babcock; access from Co. Hwy X and St. Hwy 173.
Principal Wildlife: Ducks, grouse, deer, rabbits, squirrels, woodcock, sandhill cranes, sharp-tail grouse, Karner blue butterflies.
Other Recreation: Birdwatching, hiking, berry picking.
Habitat: Marsh, forest.
Contact: DNR - Sandhill Wildlife Area.
 
 

 

For problems printing PDF file maps set page scaling to none.
 
For printing a magnified section of a PDF map go to magnified printing for instructions