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South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit in Bayfield County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit
Parking, trailheads and gates near South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 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.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit: record card
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit: a DNR fishery area that is open to hunting, located in Bayfield County. Region on record: the DNR Northern Region. The Wisconsin DNR writes the rules on the ground. The 2,265 acres on record put it 8th of the 245 fishery areas we list. Base town: Washburn, some 3 miles away. 1 units or parcels make it up.
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 – Sioux River Unit
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit deer unit, quota and game zones
The deer unit is DMU 103, in the Northern Forest zone. The 2026 antlerless quota for that unit is 470. For black bear this is Zone A, where hounds are legal; 1,675 permits for 2026. Turkey hunting falls under Zone 6, which had 6,001 spring permits in 2025. In Bayfield County baiting is allowed, capped at 2 gallons per 40 acres.
The deer unit around South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
| DMU | Deer zone | Antlerless quota | Public-land bonus | Private-land bonus | Free tags per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 103 | Northern Forest | 470 | 55 | 1,425 | — |
Bear, turkey and bird zones at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
| Zone | Rule | Numbers | Extra | 2025 result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear A | With hounds | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Wild turkey 6 | 6,001 spring tags (2025) | 23% success | 1,362 gobblers | — |
| Grouse zone A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 1 | 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 South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Entry terms for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
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 South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
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.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit closed zones
Closed or limited zones on South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit: 1.
| Closed area | Type | Period | Acres | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Game and bag limits at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Raccoons, foxes and coyotes, per the property record.
Furbearers
Other legal game follows the Bayfield 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 South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit 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 | |
| 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 Sioux River Unit described by the DNR
Quoted as published; nothing here is our wording.
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.
Every unit of South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit lists 1 unit with 159 acres between them.
| Unit | Type | County | Acres | Game listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Rock Pines | State natural area | Bayfield | 159 | — |
Harvest numbers for the country around South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Forest-unit figures for 2025 stand in for a county total in Bayfield County. Early 2026 registrations (archery, crossbow, youth hunt): DMU 103 50. The DNR sampled 84 deer from Bayfield County in 2025; 0 had CWD. 0 positives overall, from 2,155 deer. In 2025, Bayfield County produced 185 registered bears. Figures are for the whole county unit, not South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Bayfield County unit harvest
| DMU | Buck | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 103 | 748 | 386 | 1,134 |
CWD samples, Bayfield County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 84 | 0 |
| 2024 | 70 | 0 |
| 2023 | 80 | 0 |
| 2022 | 108 | 0 |
| 2021 | 114 | 0 |
Bears registered in Bayfield County
| Season | Bears | Boars | Sows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Bed, fuel and a butcher near South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn | Bayfield | 2.7 mi | 2,055 | 47,397 |
| Ashland | Ashland | 8.9 mi | 7,940 | 6,255 |
| Bayfield | Bayfield | 9.9 mi | 592 | 59,543 |
| Cornucopia | Bayfield | 13 mi | — | 82,457 |
Season and zone pages by county: Bayfield County.
Who processes a deer from South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Where to ask about South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Licenses and questions for Bayfield County go through the DNR Spooner 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.
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit and nearby public ground
South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit at the big pin; the nearest 10 public places around it. Combined, 7,301 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nourse Sugarbush | State natural area | 438 | 6.1 mi | north |
| Whittlesey Creek | Wildlife refuge | 469 | 7.2 mi | south |
| North Pikes Creek Boreal Forest | State natural area | 396 | 7.3 mi | north |
| South Shore Lake Superior | Fishery area | 276 | 7.3 mi | north |
| South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Pikes Creek Unit | Fishery area | 1,003 | 8.0 mi | northeast |
| South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Fish Creek Unit | Fishery area | 1,915 | 8.1 mi | south |
| Saxine Creek | Wildlife area | 236 | 13 mi | north |
| Lost Creek Bog | State natural area | 850 | 14 mi | northwest |
| White River Boreal Forest | State natural area | 446 | 14 mi | southeast |
| White River | Wildlife area | 1,272 | 14 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) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside))). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Shooting-hour table for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
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 | 6:07 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 90.95 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Shooting ranges near South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit
The DNR-map range closest to South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area – Sioux River Unit is Sports Hollow (9 miles). Club ranges within 30 miles are included.
rifle, handgun, trap, skeet, sporting clays 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 South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Which public land sits closest to South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Nourse Sugarbush State Natural Area (6 miles), Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge (7 miles) and North Pikes Creek Boreal Forest State Natural Area (7 miles), each with a page here.
How many units does South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit have?
1; the largest is Big Rock Pines State Natural Area.
Is South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit DNR, county or federal ground?
A DNR fishery area that is open to hunting; the manager is the Wisconsin DNR.
Is South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit a big property?
2,265 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Bayfield County; Washburn, the nearest town we cover, is 3 miles away.
Which species does the record give for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Raccoons, foxes and coyotes, plus any other season open in the county.
What deer tags work on South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
It is in DMU 103 (Northern Forest). This year the antlerless quota is 470.
How hard is a bear permit for South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Zone A; hounds may be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Zone 6. Success in 2025 was 23%.
Which goose zone is South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit in?
Ducks follow the Northern zone, Canada geese the Northern zone. Opening day for Northern Zone ducks is Sep 26.
Can I bait deer at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Bait is allowed here with limits. No CWD-positive wild deer are on record for the county.
When does orange apply at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit?
Pink counts the same as orange: 50% above the waist in firearm deer seasons.
Does a South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit deer go into GameReg?
By 5 p.m. the following day, through GameReg; bears also go to a station or online the same way.
Signing off on South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit
Gates, refuges and open areas at South Shore Lake Superior Fishery Area Sioux River Unit are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
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); colmmcsky (CC BY-SA 2.0).