Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area is 6,042 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Portage County, 5 miles from Knowlton. Hunters registered 8,384 deer in Portage 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 landCounty forestOther federal landDewey Marsh Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 6,042 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Portage County |
| Deer Management Unit | Portage County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Knowlton (5 mi), Stevens Point (6 mi) and Polonia (6 mi) |
What is Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area like?
Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area is a popular hunting and wildlife-watching destination. The property offers opportunities for upland bird, deer, bear and small game hunting, as well as trapping and bird watching. Dewey Marsh contains a large expanse of relatively undisturbed northern sedge meadow including smaller islands of tamarack and black spruce swamp, paper birch and white pine woods and ericaceous bog. The marsh is dominated by blue-joint grass, steeple bush and wire-leaved sedges, with cattails and bur-reed. It forms the headwaters of Hay Meadow Creek. Scattered throughout the area are islands of aspen, birch and white pine. Tamarack and black spruce swamps are also present. The Dewey Marsh State Natural Area is located within the wildlife area. Hay Meadow Creek passes through the property in the east and south.
Fishing occurs on Hay Meadow Creek where it crosses Hay Meadow Drive. Several local roads that pass through or alongside the property are used for hiking and dog walking. The property is also open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, although there are no designated trails. A snowmobile trail that connects to a regional network traverses the property. A county-run shooting range is located directly adjacent to the property also draws visitors to the area. The Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area is a Conservation Opportunity Area for managing large sedge meadows of upper Midwest/regional significance according to Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan. It is also a Land Legacy Place. It is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Dewey Marsh Wildlife 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 Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area: Birding, Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting, Snowmobiling trail, Target range (county-run facility on adjacent property), Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area?
Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area lies in Portage County. The DNR registered 8,384 deer in Portage County in 2025, against 7,641 in 2024.
| DMU | Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage County | 6,042 | 8,384 | 7,641 | 6,559 |
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 Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Knowlton (5 miles), Stevens Point (6 miles), Polonia (6 miles) and Park Ridge (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-39, US 51, US 10 and WI 66.
What other public land is near Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Paul Olson Wildlife Area: 3,421 acres, 5.1 miles away
- Mead Wildlife Area: 32,664 acres, 5.8 miles away
- Little Bear Hemlocks State Natural Area: 59 acres, 6 miles away
- Little Wolf River Fishery Area: 2,695 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Richard A Hemp Fishery Area: 1,401 acres, 9.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area
Counting Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area itself, 6,058 of the 52,845 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.5%), 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 | 6,052 |
| Other federal land | 6 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area?
In Portage County, 5 miles from Knowlton. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Dewey Marsh Wildlife 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 Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area in?
Portage County.
How much public land is around Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area?
6,058 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Paul Olson Wildlife Area (5.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Dewey Marsh Wildlife 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.