Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area is 672 acres of public hunting land in Winnebago County, 2 miles from Lake Mills, 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 atlasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther DNR landState parks and recreation areasCounty conservation board and city landIHAP landHogsback Marsh Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 672 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Winnebago County |
| Deer harvest unit | Winnebago County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 2/3 Marsh, 1/3 Upland |
| Nontoxic shot | Required (DNR) |
| DNR contact | Clear Lake Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Lake Mills (2 mi), Scarville (2 mi) and Joice (7 mi) |
What is Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 2/3 marsh, 1/3 upland.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant and waterfowl for Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
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 Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area lies in Winnebago County. Hunters reported 338 deer in Winnebago County in 2025, against 287 in 2024.
| County | Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago County | 672 | 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 Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: 3 miles N of Lake Mills on R74, 1 mile W on A16.
Nearest towns: Lake Mills (2 miles), Scarville (2 miles), Joice (7 miles) and Leland (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 69 and IA 971. 1 IHAP tract within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Hogsback Wildlife Area Annex: 54 acres, next to it
- Hogsback Wildlife Area: 115 acres, next to it
- Hogsback Marsh WPA: 665 acres, next to it
- Bolstad Wildlife Area: 21 acres, next to it
- Lande River Conservation Area: 422 acres, next to it
- Larson-Tweed Wildlife Area: 72 acres, next to it
Public land within 3 miles of Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area
Counting Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area itself, 2,527 of the 38,911 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.5%), 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 | 2,513 |
| County conservation board and city land | 9 |
| Other DNR land | 3 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 2 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
In Winnebago County, 2 miles from Lake Mills.
What can you hunt on Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant and waterfowl. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area?
2,527 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hogsback Marsh Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Hogsback Wildlife Area Annex (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.