Elk Creek Marsh: hunting and access
Elk Creek Marsh is 2,669 acres of public hunting land in Worth County, 3 miles from Joice, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 468 deer in Worth County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's public hunting area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting, 2021 to 2025.
Public hunting areas on the DNR atlasState parks and recreation areasCounty conservation board and city landIHAP landElk Creek MarshCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,669 acres in 8 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Worth County |
| Deer harvest unit | Worth County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/2 Marsh, 1/2 Upland |
| Nontoxic shot | Required (DNR) |
| DNR contact | Clear Lake Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Joice (3 mi), Lake Mills (3 mi) and Kensett (4 mi) |
What is Elk Creek Marsh like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/2 marsh, 1/2 upland.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Elk Creek Marsh?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Elk Creek Marsh.
What are the rules on Elk Creek Marsh?
The DNR's layer marks this area as nontoxic shot only.
Iowa's general hunting rules apply, and some DNR land is a posted wildlife refuge closed during set seasons; Iowa DNR wildlife management areas has area maps.
How many deer are taken around Elk Creek Marsh?
Elk Creek Marsh lies in Worth County. Hunters reported 468 deer in Worth County in 2025, against 471 in 2024.
| County | Elk Creek Marsh acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worth County | 2,669 | 468 | 471 | 447 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Elk Creek Marsh?
The DNR's directions: 3 miles N of Joice on Bluebill Ave.
Nearest towns: Joice (3 miles), Lake Mills (3 miles), Kensett (4 miles) and Northwood (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-35, IA 27, US 65, US 69 and IA 971.
What other public land is near Elk Creek Marsh?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Elk Creek Marsh WPA: 538 acres, next to it
- Rice Lake Wildlife Area: 2,621 acres, 0.8 miles away
- Peterson Potholes: 45 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Tuvold Woods: 35 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Silver Lake Wildlife Area: 27 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Stimes Woods: 159 acres, 2.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Elk Creek Marsh
Counting Elk Creek Marsh itself, 5,343 of the 62,973 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Public hunting areas on the DNR atlas | 5,299 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 29 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 6 |
| Other DNR land | 5 |
| County conservation board and city land | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Elk Creek Marsh?
In Worth County, 3 miles from Joice.
What can you hunt on Elk Creek Marsh?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl and dove. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Elk Creek Marsh?
5,343 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Elk Creek Marsh included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Elk Creek Marsh WPA (next to it).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Iowa included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Iowa DNR public hunting areas (Hunting Atlas layer).
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.