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Fishery area, west-central Wisconsin
La Crosse River Fishery Area hunting notes
462 acres of fishery area in Monroe County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: Fort McCoy (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to La Crosse River Fishery Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near La Crosse River Fishery Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 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.
La Crosse River Fishery Area, by its record
Count La Crosse River Fishery Area among the fishery areas of Monroe County. It falls in the DNR West Central Region, west-central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (462 acres) it is number 49 among 245 fishery areas on our list. Head northeast from Sparta for about 5 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 La Crosse River Fishery Area
Zone lines at La Crosse River Fishery Area
Deer rules follow the Central Farmland zone and Monroe and Fort McCoy. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 6,000. In Bear Zone E the DNR drew 2,628 permits for a target of 185 bears; drawn hunters needed 1 point. Turkey Zone 1: 64,574 spring authorizations in 2025 and 21% hunter success. Monroe County is on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Monroe County.
La Crosse River Fishery Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Central Farmland | Central Farmland | 6,000 | 586 | 1,495 | 4 |
| Fort McCoy | — | — | — | — | — |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through La Crosse River Fishery Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear E | No hound hunting | 185 target, 2,628 permits | 1 point | 128 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 1 | 64,574 spring tags (2025) | 21% success | 13,813 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Canada geese | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Elk zone | Central (Black River Elk Range) | 6 bull and 6 antlerless | Public land nearly 70% | |
| 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 La Crosse River Fishery Area within the rules
Who may hunt La Crosse River Fishery Area
This DNR fishery land is open to public hunting and trapping in state seasons wherever the DNR managed-lands map shows it open; NR 45 rules apply.
Statewide rules that reach La Crosse River Fishery 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.
La Crosse River Fishery 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.
La Crosse River Fishery Area: the game on record
The source names raccoons, foxes and coyotes for La Crosse River Fishery Area.
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Monroe 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.
La Crosse River Fishery Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
21 species and 43 segments reach La Crosse River Fishery 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 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | Holiday Hunt, Monroe | 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/C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Central Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 1 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 1 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 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.
The land at La Crosse River Fishery Area
This is the agency description, quoted.
The La Crosse River is a class 2 trout stream. Uplands consist of a mix of hardwoods, pine, and underbrush. Picture Title (picture optional) © photographer –> Location/Directions T 17N, R 3W, sections 4 and 5; T 18N, R 3W, sections 33 and 34.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Deer, bears and CWD around La Crosse River Fishery Area
Last full season (2025) the Monroe County unit gave up 8,137 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 6,840 (2017) to 8,174 (2022). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): Monroe Central Farmland 575 deer. In CWD year 2025, 736 Monroe County deer were tested and 37 came back positive. Since 1999: 6,038 sampled, 73 positive. Bear hunters registered 7 bears in Monroe County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for La Crosse River Fishery Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Monroe County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,328 | 4,809 | 8,137 |
| 2024 | 3,479 | 4,611 | 8,090 |
| 2023 | 3,360 | 4,065 | 7,425 |
| 2022 | 3,612 | 4,562 | 8,174 |
| 2021 | 3,412 | 3,866 | 7,278 |
| 2020 | 3,733 | 4,440 | 8,173 |
CWD results near La Crosse River Fishery Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 39 | 3 |
| 2025 | 736 | 37 |
| 2024 | 711 | 19 |
| 2023 | 676 | 7 |
| 2022 | 560 | 4 |
| 2021 | 390 | 3 |
Bear table, Monroe County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
| 2025 | 7 | 6 | 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.
Where La Crosse River Fishery 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | Monroe | 4.9 mi | 9,963 | 32,616 |
| Cataract | Monroe | 8.5 mi | — | 48,277 |
| Tunnel City | Monroe | 8.7 mi | — | 53,299 |
| Bangor | La Crosse | 14 mi | 1,573 | 3,306 |
County hunting overviews: Monroe County.
La Crosse River Fishery Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for La Crosse River Fishery Area
Monroe County is served by the DNR La Crosse 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 La Crosse River Fishery Area
La Crosse River Fishery Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 48,387.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort McCoy | Army post | 45,648 | 4.6 mi | northeast |
| Rathbone Creek | Fishery area | 21 | 8.0 mi | north |
| Cataract Pond | Fishery area | 2 | 8.8 mi | northwest |
| Big Creek | Fishery area | 1,465 | 9.0 mi | northwest |
| Mill Creek | Fishery area | 35 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Milllston Ridge Barrens | State natural area | 193 | 13 mi | north |
| Sand Creek | Habitat area | 683 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Sand Creek Pines | State natural area | 159 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Pinnacle Rock Rearing Station | Fishery area | 55 | 15 mi | south |
| Robinson Creek Pines | State natural area | 126 | 15 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.
DNR shooting hours for La Crosse River Fishery 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 | 6:07 a.m. to 7:39 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:51 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:12 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:40 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:52 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:11 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:13 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:58 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 D offset of 12 minutes for longitude 90.74 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
La Crosse River Fishery Area: nearest ranges
Closest public range: M&M Sportshop & Shooting Range, roughly 31 miles from the middle of La Crosse River Fishery Area. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
5-stand, trap, sporting clays, rifle, handgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
La Crosse River Fishery Area: the questions that come up
Whose property is La Crosse River Fishery Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR fishery area that is open to hunting.
Which properties are close to La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Nearest on the list: Fort McCoy (5 miles), Rathbone Creek (8 miles) and Cataract Pond Public Access (9 miles).
In which Wisconsin county is La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Sparta is closest (5 miles); the property is in Monroe County.
How many acres does La Crosse River Fishery Area cover?
462 acres, per WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit Monroe and Fort McCoy. 6,000 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which animals are listed at La Crosse River Fishery Area?
1 group on the list: raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What turkey tag do I need for La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 1 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around La Crosse River Fishery Area?
It is in Bear Zone E, target 185 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Banned in Monroe County. Monroe County has had CWD-positive wild deer.
Which duck and goose zones cover La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Use the Southern duck dates and the Southern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Southern Zone starts Oct 3.
Is there a check station for La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at La Crosse River Fishery Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
How do I get permission to hunt La Crosse River Fishery Area?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
La Crosse River Fishery Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the La Crosse River Fishery Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: 1240lacrosseriver · 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); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).