Harmon Lake: hunting and access
Harmon Lake is 991 acres of public hunting land in Winnebago County, next to Scarville, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 338 deer in Winnebago 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 atlasIHAP landHarmon LakeCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 991 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Winnebago County |
| Deer harvest unit | Winnebago County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, 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 | Scarville (next to it), Lake Mills (6 mi) and Thompson (7 mi) |
What is Harmon Lake 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 Harmon Lake?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Harmon Lake.
What are the rules on Harmon Lake?
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 Harmon Lake?
Harmon Lake lies in Winnebago County. Hunters reported 338 deer in Winnebago County in 2025, against 287 in 2024.
| County | Harmon Lake acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago County | 991 | 338 | 287 | 296 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Harmon Lake?
The DNR's directions: 4 miles W of Scarville on A16 OR.
Nearest towns: Scarville (next to it), Lake Mills (6 miles), Thompson (7 miles) and Rake (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 69. 1 IHAP tract within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Harmon Lake?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Good Neighbors Marsh WPA: 201 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Good Neighbors Marsh: 1,471 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Lande River Conservation Area: 422 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Tenold Tract: 55 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Hogsback Wildlife Area Annex: 54 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area: 672 acres, 2.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Harmon Lake
Counting Harmon Lake itself, 2,455 of the 47,983 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.1%), 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 | 2,454 |
| County conservation board and city land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Harmon Lake?
In Winnebago County, next to Scarville.
What can you hunt on Harmon Lake?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Harmon Lake?
2,455 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Harmon Lake included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Good Neighbors Marsh WPA (1.1 miles).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Iowa are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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.