Home › Wisconsin › Public land › Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Wildlife area, west-central Wisconsin
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area hunting notes
269 acres of wildlife area in Pierce County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 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.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area, by its record
Count Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area among the state wildlife areas of Pierce County. It falls in the DNR West Central Region, west-central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (269 acres) it is number 171 among 285 state wildlife areas on our list. The record has no coordinates. Miles here are measured from the middle of Pierce County, where Ellsworth is the closest town page.
From the source page (DNR property page (269-acre)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Zone lines at Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Deer rules follow the Central Farmland zone and Pierce. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 4,500. In Bear Zone E the DNR drew 2,628 permits for a target of 185 bears; drawn hunters needed 1 point. Turkey Zone 4: 34,997 spring authorizations in 2025 and 24% hunter success. Pierce County is on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Pierce County.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce | Central Farmland | 4,500 | 299 | 1,396 | 2 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear E | No hound hunting | 185 target, 2,628 permits | 1 point | 128 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 | ||
| Wolf zone 6 | 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 Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area within the rules
Who may hunt Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
It works like other DNR wildlife ground: statewide seasons, regular licenses, posted closures and NR 45 property rules.
Statewide rules that reach Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife 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.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife 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.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area: the game on record
The source names raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area.
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Pierce County applies too, within the property rules.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 47 segments reach Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife 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 | Metro sub-unit gun | Metro sub-unit: Hudson | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 9, 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: Pierce | 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 E | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 4 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 4 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 4 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 4 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 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 | |
| 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 | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 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 | Northern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Southern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Mississippi River Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Southern Goose Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Mississippi River Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| 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.
The land at Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
This is the agency description, quoted.
The Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area is a 269-acre property in northern Pierce County. The first property purchase occurred in 1995, with additional acquisitions still ongoing as a part of the Kinnickinnic River Fisheries Area. The property consists of grassland and riverine floodplain habitat with the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River, a world-class trout stream, bisecting the property. The property is located 1 mile east of River Falls. Follow State Highway 29 east out of River Falls for 1 mile.
The property is on the south side of State Highway 29, with parking areas available off Highway 29 and 900th Street.
The hunting sentence for Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
- The property is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife observation and other nature-based outdoor recreation.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Deer, bears and CWD around Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Last full season (2025) the Pierce County unit gave up 4,366 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 3,718 (2023) to 4,534 (2020). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): Pierce 315 deer. In CWD year 2025, 123 Pierce County deer were tested and 2 came back positive. Since 1999: 1,247 sampled, 4 positive. Bear hunters registered 7 bears in Pierce County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Pierce County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,950 | 2,416 | 4,366 |
| 2024 | 1,753 | 2,013 | 3,766 |
| 2023 | 1,553 | 2,165 | 3,718 |
| 2022 | 1,841 | 2,446 | 4,287 |
| 2021 | 1,740 | 2,133 | 3,873 |
| 2020 | 1,963 | 2,571 | 4,534 |
CWD results near Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | 123 | 2 |
| 2024 | 140 | 2 |
| 2023 | 57 | 0 |
| 2022 | 59 | 0 |
| 2021 | 72 | 0 |
Bear table, Pierce County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
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 Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth | Pierce | 2.8 mi | 3,341 | 595 |
| Arkansaw | Pepin | 21 mi | — | 12,768 |
| Hudson | St. Croix | 22 mi | 15,031 | 6,712 |
| Durand | Pepin | 24 mi | 1,873 | 14,689 |
County hunting overviews: Pierce County.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Pierce County is served by the DNR Eau Claire 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 Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area has no published coordinates, so it gets no pin; the list runs from the Pierce County centre. Their acreage adds up to 3,876.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Corners | Wildlife area | 149 | 7.4 mi | northwest |
| Ray Morrison Memorial | Wildlife area | 65 | 7.7 mi | northwest |
| Bay City Mine | State natural area | 48 | 9.1 mi | south |
| Morgan Coulee Prairie | State natural area | 58 | 9.6 mi | southeast |
| Trenton Bluff Prairie | State natural area | 114 | 9.7 mi | southwest |
| Plum Creek Watershed | DNR property | 748 | 10 mi | east |
| Pierce County Islands | Wildlife area | 1,272 | 11 mi | southwest |
| Kinnickinnic River | Fishery area | 1,253 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Rush River | Habitat area | 124 | 12 mi | north |
| Kinnickinnic Wet Prairie | State natural area | 45 | 12 mi | north |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (county centre, no point published). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife 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 | 6:15 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:59 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:20 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:48 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 7:00 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:19 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:21 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:06 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 F offset of 20 minutes for longitude 92.43 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area: the questions that come up
What does the orange rule mean at Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Does the baiting ban cover Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Banned in Pierce County. Pierce County has had CWD-positive wild deer.
How do I get permission to hunt Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife 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 Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
Whose property is Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR state wildlife area.
Which properties are close to Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Nearest on the list: Clay Corners Wildlife Area (7 miles), Ray Morrison Memorial Wildlife Area (8 miles) and Bay City Mine State Natural Area (9 miles).
In which Wisconsin county is Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Ellsworth is closest (3 miles); the property is in Pierce County. No coordinates exist, so the county centre was used.
How many acres does Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area cover?
269 acres, per DNR property page (269-acre).
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit Pierce. 4,500 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which animals are listed at Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
1 group on the list: raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What turkey tag do I need for Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 4 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area?
It is in Bear Zone E, target 185 bears in 2026.
Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Kinnickinnic River South Fork Fish and Wildlife Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: Kinnickinic · DNR: alpha · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: xulescu_g (CC BY-SA 2.0); Intermountain Region US Forest Service (Public domain).