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Straight Lake Wildlife Area for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of Straight Lake Wildlife Area in Polk County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Straight Lake Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.7 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.
Straight Lake Wildlife Area: record card
Straight Lake Wildlife Area: a DNR state wildlife area, located in Polk County. Region on record: the DNR Northern Region. The Wisconsin DNR writes the rules on the ground. The 1,325 acres on record put it 101st of the 285 state wildlife areas we list. There is no map pin: the DNR gives no coordinates, so Polk County's centre stands in, with Balsam Lake closest.
From the source page (DNR property page (1,325-acre)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Straight Lake Wildlife Area deer unit, quota and game zones
For black bear this is Zone D, where hounds are legal; 3,855 permits for 2026. Turkey hunting falls under Zone 4, which had 34,997 spring permits in 2025. The DNR counts Polk County among its CWD-affected counties. Polk County sits under the DNR deer baiting and feeding ban.
Bear, turkey and bird zones at Straight Lake Wildlife Area
| Zone | Rule | Numbers | Extra | 2025 result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear D | With hounds | 1,100 target, 3,855 permits | 2 points | 931 bears in 2025 |
| Wild turkey 4 | 34,997 spring tags (2025) | 24% success | 8,472 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse zone A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 |
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 Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Entry terms for Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Anyone licensed can hunt and trap here in season. Watch for posted refuges and closed areas, and follow NR 45.
Wisconsin rules that follow you to Straight Lake Wildlife Area
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.
Straight Lake Wildlife Area: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
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 Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ducks and geese, pheasants, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, per the property record.
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Wild turkey
Ducks and geese
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
Small game
Furbearers
Other legal game follows the Polk 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 Straight Lake Wildlife Area 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 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | Holiday Hunt, Polk | 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 D | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D | Oct 7, 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 | |
| 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.
Straight Lake Wildlife Area described by the DNR
Quoted as published; nothing here is our wording.
Straight Lake Wildlife Area is a 1,325-acre property located in Polk County. Straight Lake Wildlife Area and Straight Lake State Park are contiguous properties. Much of the Straight Lake Wildlife Area is upland and consists mostly of white and red oak, red maple, sugar maple and basswood. The upland forest consists primarily of red oak overstory and an understory of sugar maple, basswood, ironwood and white birch. Smaller stands of aspen, red pine and swamp hardwood also are present.
The property also contains three flowages and associated wetlands and grasslands. Historically, this area was a mix of northern hardwoods with a predominance of red oak and white pine. The natural disturbance regime prior to European settlement was mostly fire and some wind-throw. Fire, at longer intervals of 100 years, maintained the red oak, white and red pine and white birch component in this area. Existing northern hardwood/oak stands are 90-plus years of age and were established at the turn of the century during the cut-over era.
There is some evidence of fire from the charred stumps existing in the area. Once the area was settled, fire suppression stopped the natural fire regime of the region.
Straight Lake Wildlife Area: hunting text as published
- Hunting, trapping, hiking and wildlife viewing are very popular activities here.
- Deer, waterfowl, turkey, pheasant, grouse, otter and beaver are just some of the wildlife that use this area regularly and offer opportunities for both viewing and hunting.
- Two complimentary goals of the Straight Lake Wildlife Area are to provide wildlife-based recreation, including hunting, trapping and wildlife observation and to increase the populations of resident and migratory wildlife species through habitat improvement.
- Hunting (especially noted for deer, turkey, bear, rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, woodcock and waterfowl)
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Harvest numbers for the country around Straight Lake Wildlife Area
2025 in Polk County: 3,702 bucks, 4,389 antlerless, 8,091 in all. Range since 2016: 7,275 to 9,066 deer a year. The DNR sampled 340 deer from Polk County in 2025; 2 had CWD. 5 positives overall, from 3,006 deer. In 2025, Polk County produced 149 registered bears. Figures are for the whole county unit, not Straight Lake Wildlife Area alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Polk County unit harvest
| Season | Bucks | Does and fawns | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,702 | 4,389 | 8,091 |
| 2024 | 3,564 | 4,408 | 7,972 |
| 2023 | 3,266 | 4,009 | 7,275 |
| 2022 | 3,874 | 5,155 | 9,029 |
| 2021 | 3,584 | 4,434 | 8,018 |
| 2020 | 3,759 | 5,074 | 8,833 |
CWD samples, Polk County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 32 | 0 |
| 2025 | 340 | 2 |
| 2024 | 265 | 2 |
| 2023 | 252 | 1 |
| 2022 | 174 | 0 |
| 2021 | 170 | 0 |
Bears registered in Polk County
| Season | Bears | Boars | Sows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 187 | 84 | 103 |
| 2025 | 149 | 91 | 58 |
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 Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balsam Lake | Polk | 0.0 mi | 954 | 3,736 |
| Luck | Polk | 8.0 mi | 1,064 | 7,158 |
| St. Croix Falls | Polk | 9.3 mi | 2,310 | 3,497 |
| Frederic | Polk | 13 mi | 1,141 | 9,929 |
Season and zone pages by county: Polk County.
Who processes a deer from Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Where to ask about Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Licenses and questions for Polk 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.
Straight Lake Wildlife Area and nearby public ground
Straight Lake Wildlife Area is not pinned (no point on record); the neighbours are measured from Polk County's centre. Combined, 5,679 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple River Timber Demonstration Forest | Demonstration forest | 54 | 6.1 mi | southeast |
| Omer Springs | Fishery area | 47 | 6.1 mi | southeast |
| Balsam Branch | Wildlife area | 174 | 6.9 mi | south |
| Bone Lake (Remnant) | Fishery area | 58 | 7.5 mi | north |
| Big Round Lake (Remnant) | Fishery area | 36 | 8.1 mi | northeast |
| Rice Beds Creek | Wildlife area | 3,136 | 9.4 mi | east |
| Twin Lake Public Access Eureka | Fishery area | 1 | 9.9 mi | northwest |
| Straight Lake Tamarack Fen | State natural area | 85 | 10 mi | north |
| Straight Lake Wilderness | State park | 1,631 | 10 mi | north |
| Tunnel Channel Woods | State natural area | 457 | 10 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.
Shooting-hour table for Straight Lake Wildlife Area
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 | 6:15 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 92.45 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Before-the-trip answers for Straight Lake Wildlife Area
How hard is a bear permit for Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
Zone D; hounds may be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
Zone 4. Success in 2025 was 24%.
Which goose zone is Straight Lake Wildlife Area 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 Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
No bait or feed in Polk County. The county list for CWD includes Polk County.
When does orange apply at Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
Pink counts the same as orange: 50% above the waist in firearm deer seasons.
Does a Straight Lake Wildlife Area deer go into GameReg?
By 5 p.m. the following day, through GameReg; bears also go to a station or online the same way.
What paperwork does Straight Lake Wildlife Area need?
Gun deer ($24), archer ($24) or small game ($18) for residents; nonresident gun deer is $200.
Which public land sits closest to Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
Apple River Timber Demonstration Forest (6 miles), Omer Springs Fishery Area (6 miles) and Balsam Branch Wildlife Area (7 miles), each with a page here.
Is Straight Lake Wildlife Area DNR, county or federal ground?
A DNR state wildlife area; the manager is the Wisconsin DNR.
Is Straight Lake Wildlife Area a big property?
1,325 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
Polk County; Balsam Lake, the nearest town we cover, is 0 miles away. (Measured from the Polk County centre: no point is published.)
Which species does the record give for Straight Lake Wildlife Area?
Whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ducks and geese, pheasants, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, plus any other season open in the county.
Signing off on Straight Lake Wildlife Area
Gates, refuges and open areas at Straight Lake Wildlife Area are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
Sources for this page: DNR: straight · DNR: alpha · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Danielle Brigida (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).