Home › Wisconsin › Public land › Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Wildlife area, northeast Wisconsin
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area hunting notes
1,235 acres of wildlife area in Marinette County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: Doremo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Getting to Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 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.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area, by its record
Count Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area among the state wildlife areas of Marinette County. It falls in the DNR Northeast Region, northeast Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (1,235 acres) it is number 108 among 285 state wildlife areas on our list. Head east from Crivitz for about 8 miles. 1 smaller unit sit inside it, each with its own page.
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 Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Zone lines at Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Deer rules follow the Central Farmland zone and Marinette. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 3,900. In Bear Zone C the DNR drew 4,465 permits for a target of 875 bears; drawn hunters needed 2 points. Turkey Zone 5: 12,008 spring authorizations in 2025 and 20% hunter success. Marinette County is on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Marinette County.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marinette Central Farmland | Central Farmland | 3,900 | 273 | 1,469 | 2 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear C | No hound hunting | 875 target, 4,465 permits | 2 points | 663 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 5 | 12,008 spring tags (2025) | 20% success | 2,446 gobblers | — |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 2 | 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 Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area within the rules
Who may hunt Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
It works like other DNR wildlife ground: statewide seasons, regular licenses, posted closures and NR 45 property rules.
Statewide rules that reach Lake Noquebay 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.
Lake Noquebay 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.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area: the game on record
The source names raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area.
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Marinette 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.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 45 segments reach Lake Noquebay 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 | 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 B | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone B | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone B | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 5 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 5 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 5 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 5 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 5 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 5 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 5 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 5 | 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 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 1) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck | Open Water Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 15, 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 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 Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
This is the agency description, quoted.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area is a property like no other in Northern Marinette County. The 1,300-acre property includes a shoreline on the east end of Lake Noquebay, a 662-acre designated state natural area with open sedge meadows, a managed wetland impoundment and both forested upland and lowland habitats. Upper Inlet Creek bisects the wildlife area as it flows to Lake Noquebay. The diversity of habitats provides an ideal location for many game species, including deer, bear, grouse, and woodcock.
The property is a birding destination with 144 species reported on ebird.org! The gated snowmobile trail is open to foot traffic throughout the year and offers a great way to hike nearly 2 miles into the woods to explore all the adjacent habitats. If water travel is more to your liking, you can kayak or canoe the Upper Inlet Creek for nearly 2 miles downstream from the water control structure to Lake Noquebay. You can find the property by taking County Highway X to Right of Way Road.
An access road to the wildlife area goes west from Right of Way Road, opposite County Forest Road 801.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area, unit by unit
The 1 parts of Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area total 662 acres.
| Page | Type | County | Acres | Listed game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Noquebay Sedge Meadow | State natural area | Marinette | 662 | — |
Deer, bears and CWD around Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Last full season (2025) the Marinette County unit gave up 7,552 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 7,552 (2025) to 9,962 (2022). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): Marinette Central Farmland 726 deer. In CWD year 2025, 183 Marinette County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 3,162 sampled, 1 positive. Bear hunters registered 275 bears in Marinette County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Marinette County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,584 | 3,968 | 7,552 |
| 2024 | 5,562 | 4,089 | 9,651 |
| 2023 | 4,660 | 3,453 | 8,113 |
| 2022 | 5,724 | 4,238 | 9,962 |
| 2021 | 5,333 | 3,775 | 9,108 |
| 2020 | 4,238 | 3,498 | 7,736 |
CWD results near Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 13 | 1 |
| 2025 | 183 | 0 |
| 2024 | 185 | 0 |
| 2023 | 180 | 0 |
| 2022 | 302 | 0 |
| 2021 | 339 | 0 |
Bear table, Marinette County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 306 | 155 | 151 |
| 2025 | 275 | 132 | 143 |
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 Lake Noquebay 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crivitz | Marinette | 7.6 mi | 1,118 | 15,689 |
| Peshtigo | Marinette | 15 mi | 3,409 | 13,071 |
| Marinette | Marinette | 16 mi | 11,139 | 9,005 |
| Oconto | Oconto | 26 mi | 4,638 | 11,263 |
County hunting overviews: Marinette County.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Marinette County is served by the DNR Green Bay 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 Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 2,793.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Middle Inlet | Wildlife area | 52 | 7.3 mi | northwest |
| Wausaukee Timber Demonstration Forest | Demonstration forest | 40 | 9.6 mi | north |
| Long Lake Road | Wildlife area | 5 | 12 mi | northwest |
| Kirby Lake Hardwoods | State natural area | 111 | 13 mi | west |
| North Branch Beaver Creek | Fishery area | 1,138 | 13 mi | southwest |
| Johnson Falls | State natural area | 210 | 15 mi | west |
| Strawberry Island | Habitat area | 2 | 16 mi | southeast |
| Wausaukee River | Wildlife area | 23 | 16 mi | northwest |
| Amberg | Wildlife area | 1,169 | 17 mi | northwest |
| Seagull Bar | State natural area | 43 | 18 mi | southeast |
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 Lake Noquebay 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 | 5:55 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:39 a.m. to 6:21 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:24 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:00 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:28 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:40 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 6:59 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:01 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:46 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 A offset of 0 minutes for longitude 87.86 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Ranges within reach of Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area
Peshtigo Gun Club in Marinette County is the nearest DNR-map range, 15 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
trap, shotgun on file
trap, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, muzzleloader on file
archery, 3D archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area: the questions that come up
What turkey tag do I need for Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 5 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
It is in Bear Zone C, target 875 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Banned in Marinette County. Marinette County has had CWD-positive wild deer.
Which duck and goose zones cover Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Use the Northern duck dates and the Northern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Northern Zone starts Sep 26.
Is there a check station for Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Nearest on the list: Upper Middle Inlet State Habitat Area (7 miles), Wausaukee Timber Demonstration Forest (10 miles) and Long Lake Road State Habitat Area (12 miles).
How do I get permission to hunt Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Whose property is Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR state wildlife area.
Does Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area have separate units?
1 unit, including Lake Noquebay Sedge Meadow State Natural Area.
In which Wisconsin county is Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Crivitz is closest (8 miles); the property is in Marinette County.
How many acres does Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area cover?
1,235 acres, per WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit Marinette. 3,900 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: Lakenoquebay · DNR GIS · DNR: alpha; 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); Peter Sheik (CC BY 2.0).