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Fishery area · Northeast region
Caves Creek Fishery Area for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of Caves Creek Fishery Area in Marquette County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Caves Creek Fishery Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Caves Creek Fishery Area
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking ยท 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Caves Creek Fishery Area: record card
Caves Creek Fishery Area: a DNR fishery area that is open to hunting, located in Marquette County. Region on record: the DNR Northeast Region. The Wisconsin DNR writes the rules on the ground. The 822 acres on record put it 32nd of the 245 fishery areas we list. Base town: Harrisville, some 5 miles away.
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 Caves Creek Fishery Area
Caves Creek Fishery Area deer unit, quota and game zones
The deer unit is Marquette, in the Central Farmland zone. The 2026 antlerless quota for that unit is 10,000. For black bear this is Zone C, with no hound hunting; 4,465 permits for 2026. Turkey hunting falls under Zone 3, which had 55,612 spring permits in 2025. The DNR counts Marquette County among its CWD-affected counties. Marquette County sits under the DNR deer baiting and feeding ban.
The deer unit around Caves Creek Fishery Area
| DMU | Deer zone | Antlerless quota | Public-land bonus | Private-land bonus | Free tags per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette | Central Farmland | 10,000 | 1,996 | 7,993 | 4 |
Bear, turkey and bird zones at Caves Creek Fishery Area
| Zone | Rule | Numbers | Extra | 2025 result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear C | Bait only | 875 target, 4,465 permits | 2 points | 663 bears in 2025 |
| Bear F | Bait only | 50 target, 764 permits | 1 point | 27 bears in 2025 |
| Wild turkey 3 | 55,612 spring tags (2025) | 22% success | 12,324 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse zone B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Ducks | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Geese | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Wolf zone 6/5 | Closed | Federally endangered |
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.
Rules on the ground at Caves Creek Fishery Area
Entry terms for Caves Creek Fishery Area
Only the parcels shown open on the DNR map can be hunted; there, state seasons and NR 45 apply.
Wisconsin rules that follow you to Caves Creek Fishery Area
During any firearm deer season, everyone hunting except waterfowlers wears blaze orange or fluorescent pink on at least half the clothing above the waist, and on half of any cap. DNR land rule: 144 sq in of solid orange or pink on any ground blind in gun season. Leave no stand overnight south of Hwy. 64. North of the highway, two per hunter per county may stay from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31. GameReg registration is due by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Caves Creek Fishery Area: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
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.
Game and bag limits at Caves Creek Fishery Area
Raccoons, foxes and coyotes, per the property record.
Furbearers
Other legal game follows the Marquette County season table below.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Every Caves Creek Fishery Area season on one table
Private and public land share these dates. A state park, refuge or Fort McCoy can close sooner, so read the property page before you go.
| Animal | Segment | Scope | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | Holiday Hunt: Marquette | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended archery and crossbow | Extended archery | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone F/C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 3 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 3 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 3 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 3 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 3 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 3 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 3 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 3 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone B | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | |
| 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 | Southern cottontail zone | Oct 17, 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 (split 1) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 2) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Southern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Southern Goose Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (holiday split) | Southern Goose Zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| 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.
Caves Creek Fishery Area described by the DNR
Quoted as published; nothing here is our wording.
Caves Creek fishery area is high-quality trout water. The waters are generally crystal clear. There have been stream bank improvement projects throughout the system, enhancing the already excellent fishing opportunities. The state ownership is 823 acres of fragmented parcels stretched along the stream's 14-mile corridor. Some acres are held in perpetual easement intended to protect the stream shorelines and provide access to fishermen. Picture Title (picture optional) © photographer –> The clear, spring-fed waters of Caves Creek have areas of natural brook trout reproduction throughout its 12.1 miles of stream length.
Caves Creek is regarded as one of the better brook trout streams in southern Wisconsin. Fishing pressure is heavy on stream sections accessible to the public. The vegetative cover is rich with diversity, with a large portion being lowland brush and swamp hardwoods to upland forests and grasslands. Additionally, many old agricultural fields have been abandoned and are reverting to natural vegetation; others have been planted into pine plantations, converted into native prairies, or continued to be farmed in share crop agreements.
Caves Creek Fishery Area: hunting text as published
- Recreational opportunities are a year-round occurrence and seemingly endless, from fishing and hunting to canoeing and snowshoeing.
- The project includes about six miles of the creek to be managed and improved for trout fishing and other recreational uses such as hunting and trapping.
- The project will protect important spawning areas, allow trout habitat management, and provide public access for fishing, hunting, and other recreational uses.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Harvest numbers for the country around Caves Creek Fishery Area
2025 in Marquette County: 3,204 bucks, 4,586 antlerless, 7,790 in all. Range since 2016: 5,998 to 7,790 deer a year. Early 2026 registrations (archery, crossbow, youth hunt): Marquette 720. The DNR sampled 559 deer from Marquette County in 2025; 45 had CWD. 99 positives overall, from 5,015 deer. In 2025, Marquette County produced 3 registered bears. Figures are for the whole county unit, not Caves Creek Fishery Area alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Marquette County unit harvest
| Season | Bucks | Does and fawns | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,204 | 4,586 | 7,790 |
| 2024 | 3,410 | 4,334 | 7,744 |
| 2023 | 2,848 | 3,702 | 6,550 |
| 2022 | 2,827 | 4,396 | 7,223 |
| 2021 | 2,795 | 3,782 | 6,577 |
| 2020 | 2,808 | 4,276 | 7,084 |
CWD samples, Marquette County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 26 | 6 |
| 2025 | 559 | 45 |
| 2024 | 568 | 26 |
| 2023 | 578 | 6 |
| 2022 | 515 | 5 |
| 2021 | 504 | 8 |
Bears registered in Marquette County
| Season | Bears | Boars | Sows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
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.
Bed, fuel and a butcher near Caves Creek Fishery Area
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisville | Marquette | 4.6 mi | — | 10,739 |
| Coloma | Waushara | 8.5 mi | 452 | 16,062 |
| Packwaukee | Marquette | 11 mi | — | 6,025 |
| Montello | Marquette | 12 mi | 1,437 | 13,678 |
Season and zone pages by county: Marquette County.
Who processes a deer from Caves Creek Fishery Area
Where to ask about Caves Creek Fishery Area
Licenses and questions for Marquette County go through the DNR Oshkosh 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.
Caves Creek Fishery Area and nearby public ground
Caves Creek Fishery Area at the big pin; the nearest 10 public places around it. Combined, 9,131 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John A Lawton Fishery | Fishery area | 208 | 2.6 mi | northeast |
| Upper Fox Headwaters | State natural area | 195 | 2.8 mi | west |
| Lawrence Creek Fish and | Wildlife area | 949 | 5.5 mi | west |
| Lawrence Creek | State natural area | 288 | 6.1 mi | west |
| Wedde Creek Savanna | State natural area | 38 | 6.5 mi | northeast |
| Mecan River Pine Oak Forest | State natural area | 142 | 7.6 mi | east |
| New Chester | WPA | 343 | 8.6 mi | southwest |
| Laing Creek (Remnant) | Fishery area | 111 | 8.6 mi | south |
| Mecan River | Fishery area | 6,722 | 9.5 mi | north |
| Mecan Springs | State natural area | 135 | 9.5 mi | north |
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.
Shooting-hour table for Caves Creek Fishery Area
Two tables cover the state, one for the Northern Area and one for the Southern Area, each for Zone A. West of 88 degrees you add 4 minutes per degree of longitude.
| Date | Why it matters | Northern Area | Southern Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:03 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:47 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:08 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:36 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:48 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:09 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:54 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 C offset of 8 minutes for longitude 89.49 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Caves Creek Fishery Area: nearest ranges
About 14 miles separates Caves Creek Fishery Area from Wautoma Shooting Range, the nearest public map range. Club ranges within 30 miles are included.
rifle, handgun, shotgun on file
rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire on file
archery, 3D archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Before-the-trip answers for Caves Creek Fishery Area
Which goose zone is Caves Creek Fishery Area in?
Ducks follow the Southern zone, Canada geese the Southern zone. Opening day for Southern Zone ducks is Oct 3.
Can I bait deer at Caves Creek Fishery Area?
No bait or feed in Marquette County. The county list for CWD includes Marquette County.
When does orange apply at Caves Creek Fishery Area?
Pink counts the same as orange: 50% above the waist in firearm deer seasons.
Does a Caves Creek Fishery Area deer go into GameReg?
By 5 p.m. the following day, through GameReg; bears also go to a station or online the same way.
What paperwork does Caves Creek Fishery Area need?
Gun deer ($24), archer ($24) or small game ($18) for residents; nonresident gun deer is $200.
Which public land sits closest to Caves Creek Fishery Area?
John A Lawton Fishery Fishery Area (3 miles), Upper Fox Headwaters State Natural Area (3 miles) and Lawrence Creek Fish and Wildlife Area (5 miles), each with a page here.
Is Caves Creek Fishery Area DNR, county or federal ground?
A DNR fishery area that is open to hunting; the manager is the Wisconsin DNR.
Is Caves Creek Fishery Area a big property?
822 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for Caves Creek Fishery Area?
Marquette County; Harrisville, the nearest town we cover, is 5 miles away.
Which species does the record give for Caves Creek Fishery Area?
Raccoons, foxes and coyotes, plus any other season open in the county.
What deer tags work on Caves Creek Fishery Area?
It is in Marquette (Central Farmland). This year the antlerless quota is 10,000.
How hard is a bear permit for Caves Creek Fishery Area?
Zone C; hounds may not be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at Caves Creek Fishery Area?
Zone 3. Success in 2025 was 22%.
Signing off on Caves Creek Fishery Area
Gates, refuges and open areas at Caves Creek Fishery Area are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
Sources for this page: DNR: 520cavescreek · DNR GIS · DNR: county; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: The Hidden Hide with Ray (CC BY 2.0); Wesley Fryer (CC BY 2.0).