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Bayfield County, Wisconsin
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Iron River Unit: the hunter's file
Deer unit DMU 102, bear and turkey zones, closures, licenses and the nearest towns and services.
Photo: Joshua Mayer (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Iron River Unit
Key facts for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Iron River Unit is a DNR fishery area that is open to hunting in Bayfield County. The DNR files it under its Northern Region (the Northwoods). Management sits with the Wisconsin DNR. Acreage: 989, which places it 29th of 245 fishery areas. The closest covered town is Iron River, around 11 miles off as the crow flies.
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 South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Iron River Unit
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit by zone and unit
Deer: Northern Forest zone, DMU 102. 925 antlerless deer: the 2026 quota for the unit. Bear hunters here apply for Zone A: 11,648 applied for 2026 and 1,675 permits went out. In Zone 6 turkey hunters held 6,001 spring tags in 2025 (spring 2027 levels are not out yet). Bayfield County still allows deer baiting, up to 2 gallons per 40 acres with placement rules.
DMU figures for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
| Unit | Deer zone | Quota | Public-access bonus | Private bonus | Farmland per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 102 | Northern Forest | 925 | 404 | 1,718 | — |
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit zone table
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone A | Dogs OK | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 6 | 6,001 spring tags (2025) | 23% success | 1,362 gobblers | — |
| Ruffed grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Duck | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Goose | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf 1/1A | No hunt | Endangered status |
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.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit: the property description
Copied from the official listing.
The South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area was created in 1992 to preserve the land and water resources of Wisconsin's Lake Superior tributaries that support the self-sustaining potamodromous fishery. Potamodromous fishes live their adult lives in Lake Superior and spawn in the tributaries and include rainbow (steelhead) trout, brown trout, coaster brook trout, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon. The Fishery Area also provides public recreation and education opportunities. The Fishery Area spans six distinct watersheds, including Fish Creek, Sioux River, Pikes Creek, Cranberry River, Flag River and Iron River, along with their associated coastal wetlands.
More than 50 percent of the total self-sustaining potamodromous fishery on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior is included within the boundaries of the South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area. Directions: The South Shore of Lake Superior Fishery Area includes various properties close to the shores of Lake Superior and along streams draining into Lake Superior in Bayfield County.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Access, closures and licenses for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit: open to whom, and how
Hunting and trapping follow state seasons on the parts of this fishery land that the DNR map marks open, under NR 45.
Orange, stands and GameReg at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
Bowhunters too: when a gun deer season is on, 50% of the coat and hat must be orange or pink, unless you are hunting waterfowl. A ground blind on DNR property needs 144 sq in of orange or pink during gun deer seasons. South of Hwy. 64 every stand and blind leaves with you; north of it, two portable stands per county may stay out Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Use GameReg (online or 844-426-3734) before 5 p.m. the day after the harvest.
Tags and licenses for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
Licenses sell on Go Wild. On public land, antlerless deer need a public-access authorization for the unit.
Where you cannot hunt at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
Mind these 1 area before you set up.
| Area | Restriction | Dates | Acres | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Voight State Fish Hatchery | State Fish Hatchery Closed Area | Jan 1–Dec 31 | 34 | NR 11.24(1)(a) |
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.
Which animals South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit lists
Game on the record for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit: raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Furbearers
Seasons not named here still apply if they are open in Bayfield County and the property rules allow.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Which seasons are open in South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
Deer dates are statewide in Wisconsin; bear, turkey, grouse, cottontail and waterfowl dates follow zone lines, so only the rows for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit are listed.
| Species | Season | Where it applies | Opens | Closes | 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 A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone 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 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 6 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 6 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 6 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 6 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 6 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 6 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 6 | 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.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit: county harvest and CWD tests
Deer harvest here is reported by Northern Forest DMU, and only 2025 exists since the 2025 boundary change. Preliminary 2026 count to Oct. 19: 184 in DMU 102. Bayfield County CWD testing (2025): 0 positives out of 84 samples. Cumulative total 0 positives in 2,155 tests. Bayfield County bear harvest, 2025: 185. Harvest and CWD figures cover Bayfield County as a whole.
Bayfield County deer by year
| DMU | Antlered | Antlerless | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 102 | 1,280 | 904 | 2,184 |
Testing for CWD, Bayfield County
| Year | Deer tested | CWD positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 84 | 0 |
| 2024 | 70 | 0 |
| 2023 | 80 | 0 |
| 2022 | 108 | 0 |
| 2021 | 114 | 0 |
Bears by year, Bayfield County
| Year | Bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 202 | 94 | 108 |
| 2025 | 185 | 102 | 83 |
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.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit pinned among its neighbours
Map of South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit and the 10 nearest public places. That is 4,136 acres of public ground.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Wing Boreal Forest | State natural area | 458 | 5.3 mi | northeast |
| Brule River Boreal Forest | State natural area | 652 | 6.0 mi | west |
| South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Flag River Unit | Fishery area | 1,019 | 6.8 mi | northeast |
| Schacte Creek | Wildlife area | 38 | 7.2 mi | southeast |
| Bear Beach | State natural area | 96 | 11 mi | west |
| South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Cranberry River Unit | Fishery area | 588 | 11 mi | east |
| Jones Lake | State natural area | 44 | 13 mi | south |
| Bark Bay Slough | State natural area | 645 | 15 mi | northeast |
| Brule Rush Lake | State natural area | 25 | 17 mi | south |
| Inch Lake | State natural area | 571 | 18 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.
Towns, processors and DNR desks near South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
Start with a town, then line up a cooler, a butcher and a mount.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron River | Bayfield | 11 mi | — | 105,729 |
| Brule | Douglas | 13 mi | — | 84,777 |
| Lake Nebagamon | Douglas | 19 mi | 1,136 | 88,730 |
| Cornucopia | Bayfield | 20 mi | — | 82,457 |
For the wider county picture: Bayfield County.
Venison, mounts and ammo near South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit: agency contacts
County service center: DNR Spooner Service Center (715-635-2101).
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.
Practice before hunting South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Iron River Unit
Bayfield County Forest in Bayfield County is the nearest DNR-map range, 9 miles out. Two nearby club ranges follow.
rifle on file
trap, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
First and last legal minute at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey: 30 minutes before sunrise until 20 minutes after sunset. Ducks, geese, doves and spring turkey: same start, done at sunset.
| Date | Season moment | Northern Area | Southern Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 91.48 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Questions hunters raise about South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit
What type of property is South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit on the record?
It is a DNR fishery area that is open to hunting, managed by the Wisconsin DNR.
What size is South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit on the record?
About 989 acres.
What is the nearest town to South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
Base in Iron River, 11 miles away; the ground is in Bayfield County.
Which game is named for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
The property record lists raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What is the antlerless quota at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
DMU 102, part of the Northern Forest zone. Antlerless goal for 2026: 925.
Which bear permit zone holds South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
A. You need a Class A license from the drawing.
How many turkey permits go to the South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit zone?
Turkey Zone 6. 6,001 spring tags were issued there in 2025.
What waterfowl dates apply at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
Duck zone: Northern; goose zone: Northern. Northern Zone ducks open Sep 26, 2026-27.
Can I put out corn for deer at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
Yes, within the state limits on amount and placement. No positive wild deer recorded here.
How much orange do I wear at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
During any firearm deer season: 50% of your outer clothing above the waist and 50% of any cap, blaze orange or pink. Waterfowl hunters are exempt.
When must I register a turkey from South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
Deer: online, phone or station by 5 p.m. next day. Turkeys: online or phone only.
Which tags work on South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit?
No special permit for most of it; buy the license on Go Wild and carry public-access antlerless tags.
Does South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit have a refuge?
No: 1 closed or restricted area are listed, starting with Les Voight State Fish Hatchery.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit: one more look before the drive
Signs on the ground beat any web page. Read the posted boundaries at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Iron River Unit when you arrive.
Sources for this page: DNR: 2370southshorelakesuperior · DNR GIS · DNR: county · 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); Flappy Pigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0).