Big Rib River Fishery Area: hunting and access
Big Rib River Fishery Area is 728 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Marathon and Lincoln counties, 5 miles from Athens. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, bear and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 12,041 deer in Marathon County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's DNR property data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Metrics.
State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR landOther county, city and regional landBig Rib River Fishery AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 728 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Marathon County and Lincoln County |
| Deer Management Unit | Marathon County, DMU Lincoln |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, bear and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Big Rib River |
| Nearest towns | Athens (5 mi), Edgar (12 mi) and Marathon City (13 mi) |
What is Big Rib River Fishery Area like?
Big Rib River Fishery Area is 952 acres with many portions containing trout. The fish population includes brook trout and brown trout, smallmouth bass, and forage species. The majority of the property adjacent to the river is wooded and wild, and the remaining land is low-density residential, agricultural uses, and wetlands. A portion of the Big Rib River in Taylor County is classified as Exceptional Resource Waters (ERW). Big Rib River is located in southwest Lincoln County, eastern Taylor County, and northwest Marathon County. West of Merrill, go 18 miles on State Hwy 64 to Greiner and Silver Fox Road.
This property's primary angling activities include wading and shore fishing for a variety of warm-and cold-water fish species. The priority management objective for this property is to protect and enhance the natural aesthetics of this scenic area. Additional management and development alternatives for the property include improving existing parking areas and access to the property, maintain grassy and brushy openings for wildlife habitat diversity, maintain the diversity of forest types, and improve aesthetics through forest management practices. Lincoln County Lakes & Rivers Association Wisconsin River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Big Rib River Fishery Area?
The DNR's page for Big Rib River Fishery Area names deer, wild turkey, bear and small game. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Big Rib River Fishery Area?
The DNR's property map lists Big Rib River Fishery Area as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
Activities the DNR lists for Big Rib River Fishery Area: Hunting - deer, bear, turkey and small game, Trapping, Hiking, Cross-country skiing, Wildlife viewing, Fishing - trout with restrictions and closed in refuge areas, Bird watching, Pets, Auto travel, Berry picking and Canoeing.
How many deer are taken around Big Rib River Fishery Area?
Big Rib River Fishery Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 12,041 deer in Marathon County in 2025, against 11,715 in 2024.
| DMU | Big Rib River Fishery Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon County | 437 | 12,041 | 11,715 | 10,082 |
| DMU Lincoln | 290 | 1,426 |
Harvest for the whole deer management unit, not the property alone: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
How do you get to Big Rib River Fishery Area?
Nearest towns: Athens (5 miles), Edgar (12 miles), Marathon City (13 miles) and Stetsonville (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 64 and WI 97.
What other public land is near Big Rib River Fishery Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Forest Legacy Program: 33,075 acres, next to it
- Tomahawk Timberlands Conservation Easement (New Wood Trct): 16,945 acres, 4.7 miles away
- Rib River Fishery Area: 231 acres, 6.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Big Rib River Fishery Area
Counting Big Rib River Fishery Area itself, 4,264 of the 34,705 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 4,217 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 46 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Big Rib River Fishery Area?
In Marathon and Lincoln counties, 5 miles from Athens. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Big Rib River Fishery Area open to hunting?
Yes. The DNR's property map lists it as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Posted refuges or closed areas, where there are any, are marked on site.
Which deer management unit is Big Rib River Fishery Area in?
Marathon County (437 acres) and DMU Lincoln (290 acres).
How much public land is around Big Rib River Fishery Area?
4,264 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Big Rib River Fishery Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Forest Legacy Program (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Big Rib River Fishery Area; Wisconsin DNR managed lands open to hunting.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
FilledTag is not part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.
Wisconsin hunting Marathon County Lincoln County Marathon County