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Wildlife area, the Northwoods
Fish Lake State Habitat Area hunting notes
95 acres of wildlife area in Rusk County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Fish Lake State Habitat Area, by its record
Count Fish Lake State Habitat Area among the state wildlife areas of Rusk County. It falls in the DNR Northern Region, the Northwoods. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (95 acres) it is number 218 among 285 state wildlife areas on our list. Head southwest from Bruce for about 15 miles.
From the source page (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Zone lines at Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Deer rules follow the Northern Forest zone and DMU 110. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 1,765. In Bear Zone D the DNR drew 3,855 permits for a target of 1,100 bears; drawn hunters needed 2 points. Turkey Zone 4: 34,997 spring authorizations in 2025 and 24% hunter success. No ban in Rusk County: deer bait up to 2 gallons per 40 acres.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 110 | Northern Forest | 1,765 | 421 | 6,419 | — |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Fish Lake State Habitat Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear D | Hound hunting | 1,100 target, 3,855 permits | 2 points | 931 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 4 | 34,997 spring tags (2025) | 24% success | 8,472 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 3 | Closed | Federal protection |
Zones from the DNR zone layers as recorded in lands.json; quotas and bonus tags from the 2026 antlerless quota table; bear figures from the 2026 bear drawing summary and 2025 bear harvest; turkey from the 2025 spring turkey report; CWD and baiting lists from the DNR. Checked October 19, 2026.
Hunting Fish Lake State Habitat Area within the rules
Who may hunt Fish Lake State Habitat Area
It works like other DNR wildlife ground: statewide seasons, regular licenses, posted closures and NR 45 property rules.
Statewide rules that reach Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Ground blinds on DNR land in a firearm deer season show at least 144 square inches of solid orange or pink, visible from all sides. Unattended stands carry your name or customer ID; they may be left out north of State Hwy. 64 (up to two per county), never south of it. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area license list
Residents often take the Conservation Patron, which bundles the hunting licenses. Antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
Access from the source page; closures from the DNR closed and restricted areas layer; stocking and dove fields from the DNR upland bird layers; rules from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations; prices from Go Wild. Checked October 19, 2026.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area: the game on record
No species list is published for Fish Lake State Habitat Area, so every open season applies under the property rules.
See the 39 seasons listed for Rusk County below.
Species from the property record (No species list published for this property; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations where hunting is allowed.); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
21 species and 39 segments reach Fish Lake State Habitat Area. The last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery and crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth/disabled gun hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun deer (9-day) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | December antlerless hunt | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Northern Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite Quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Hungarian partridge | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Cottontail rabbit | Northern cottontail zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe hare | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| American Crow | Crow | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Mar 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl hunt | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose | Northern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (resident) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (nonresident) | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Fox (red and gray) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Coyote (hunting) | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | North of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | South of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | North of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | South of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected species | Unprotected species | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 hunting regulations and season dates, checked October 19, 2026.
Deer, bears and CWD around Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Rusk County has no county-named deer unit, so the DNR reports harvest by forest DMU; 2025 is the only year under the new boundaries. So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): DMU 110 313 deer. In CWD year 2025, 53 Rusk County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 1,690 sampled, 0 positive. Bear hunters registered 255 bears in Rusk County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Fish Lake State Habitat Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Rusk County
| Deer unit | Bucks 2025 | Antlerless 2025 | Total 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 110 | 1,787 | 1,757 | 3,544 |
CWD results near Fish Lake State Habitat Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 53 | 0 |
| 2024 | 55 | 0 |
| 2023 | 88 | 0 |
| 2022 | 70 | 0 |
| 2021 | 68 | 0 |
Bear table, Rusk County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 291 | 149 | 142 |
| 2025 | 255 | 128 | 127 |
Deer from DNR Deer Metrics harvest history and the 2026 harvest to date; CWD from the DNR CWD summary; bears from the DNR bear harvest reports. Checked October 19, 2026.
Where Fish Lake State Habitat Area hunters stay and shop
Every town listed has a hunting guide of its own on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce | Rusk | 15 mi | 754 | 23,421 |
| Barron | Barron | 18 mi | 3,674 | 1,365 |
| Holcombe | Chippewa | 19 mi | — | 26,943 |
| Jim Falls | Chippewa | 21 mi | — | 6,843 |
County hunting overviews: Rusk County.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Rusk County is served by the DNR Spooner Service Center.
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 19, 2026. Call ahead.
The closest public land to Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Fish Lake State Habitat Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 4,814.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ten Mile Creek (Rusk County) | Wildlife area | 407 | 2.0 mi | northwest |
| Ohmart Wetlands | State natural area | 717 | 4.2 mi | southeast |
| Potato Creek | Wildlife area | 941 | 5.4 mi | northeast |
| Chippewa Moraine | Ice Age Trail area | 350 | 5.5 mi | southeast |
| New Auburn | Wildlife area | 1,183 | 5.6 mi | southwest |
| Island Lake | Wildlife area | 39 | 5.6 mi | east |
| New Auburn Sedge Meadow | State natural area | 317 | 5.7 mi | southwest |
| North of North Shattuck Lake | State natural area | 603 | 5.8 mi | southeast |
| Long Lake | Wildlife area | 16 | 6.1 mi | southeast |
| Duncan Creek | Fishery area | 241 | 6.9 mi | south |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS (polygon centroid of hunting-open parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for Fish Lake State Habitat Area
Wisconsin prints its shooting hours as tables. For deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey the day runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and spring turkey stop at sunset.
| When | Event | North | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:11 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:55 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:16 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:44 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:56 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:15 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:17 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey table times from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shooting hours tables, plus the Zone E offset of 16 minutes for longitude 91.50 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area: nearest ranges
Cornell Shooting Range in Chippewa County is the nearest DNR-map range, 19 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun on file
trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery, silhouette on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area: the questions that come up
How do I get permission to hunt Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Is there a check station for Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
Whose property is Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR state wildlife area.
Which properties are close to Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Nearest on the list: Ten Mile Creek Wildlife Area (Rusk County) (2 miles), Ohmart Wetlands State Natural Area (4 miles) and Potato Creek Wildlife Area (5 miles).
In which Wisconsin county is Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Bruce is closest (15 miles); the property is in Rusk County.
How many acres does Fish Lake State Habitat Area cover?
95 acres, per WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Northern Forest zone; unit DMU 110. 1,765 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which game seasons apply on Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
All open seasons apply, subject to the property rules; the source names no species.
What turkey tag do I need for Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 4 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
It is in Bear Zone D, target 1,100 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Allowed, up to 2 gallons per 40 acres. Not a CWD county.
Which duck and goose zones cover Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Use the Northern duck dates and the Northern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Northern Zone starts Sep 26.
What does the orange rule mean at Fish Lake State Habitat Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Fish Lake State Habitat Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Fish Lake State Habitat Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Fort McCoy (Public Domain Mark 1.0); scostello22 (CC BY 2.0).