Eldorado Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Eldorado Wildlife Area is 6,355 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Fond du Lac County, 2 miles from North Fond du Lac. The DNR's page for it names ducks and geese among the game here. Hunters registered 4,642 deer in Fond du Lac 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasState parksOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landVoluntary Public Access landEldorado Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 6,355 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Fond du Lac County |
| Deer Management Unit | Fond du Lac County |
| DNR lists for hunting | ducks and geese |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Eldorado Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | North Fond du Lac (2 mi), Rosendale (3 mi) and Van Dyne (4 mi) |
What is Eldorado Wildlife Area like?
Eldorado Wildlife Area is a 6,381-acre property located in central Fond du Lac County, just north of Hwy 23, and only 5 miles west of the city of Fond du Lac. The wildlife area consists of a rich mosaic of wetlands, small oak openings, shrubs, and grasslands. The West Branch of the Fond du Lac River flows through the wildlife area. The property is popular with waterfowl, pheasant and deer hunters.
The dike and access lanes provide a 1 ΒΌ mile-long gravel surface excellent for wildlife viewing, especially during spring and fall migration and are commonly utilized by walkers, birders and nature enthusiasts. Eldorado Marsh was created by glacial activity from the Wisconsin glacial period, about 10,000 years ago. Native Americans utilized this area for hunting and gathering as evidenced by artifacts found on the property. In 1912, an unsuccessful attempt was made to drain the marsh for agriculture. By the 1920s, farmers realized that they could only cut marsh hay. In 1932, a severe fire burned over much of the area creating numerous deep holes in the peat. Hunters and conservation-minded citizens quickly recognized the value of the marsh for wildlife and initiated its protection. The area was established as a project by the Wisconsin Conservation Commission in 1951.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Eldorado Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Eldorado Wildlife Area names ducks and geese. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Eldorado Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Eldorado 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 Eldorado Wildlife Area: Biking (on bisecting Mascoutin Valley State Trail ), Birding, Canoeing, Dog training, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking ( Mascoutin Valley State Trail is adjacent to the wildlife area on the south side), Kayaking, Trapping, Snowmobiling trail, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Eldorado Wildlife Area?
Eldorado Wildlife Area lies in Fond du Lac County. The DNR registered 4,642 deer in Fond du Lac County in 2025, against 4,546 in 2024.
| DMU | Eldorado Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fond du Lac County | 6,355 | 4,642 | 4,546 | 4,068 |
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 Eldorado Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: North Fond du Lac (2 miles), Rosendale (3 miles), Van Dyne (4 miles) and Fond du Lac (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-41, US 41, WI 23, WI 26 and US 151. 1 VPA property within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Eldorado Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Mascoutin Valley State Trail: 47 acres, next to it
- Glacial Habitat Restoration Area: 11,308 acres, next to it
- Wild Goose State Trail: 431 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area: 101 acres, 7.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Eldorado Wildlife Area
Counting Eldorado Wildlife Area itself, 6,952 of the 54,231 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.8%), 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 | 6,897 |
| State parks | 31 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 24 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Eldorado Wildlife Area?
In Fond du Lac County, 2 miles from North Fond du Lac. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Eldorado 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 Eldorado Wildlife Area in?
Fond du Lac County.
How much public land is around Eldorado Wildlife Area?
6,952 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Eldorado Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Mascoutin Valley State Trail (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Eldorado 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.