Emmons Creek Fishery Area: hunting and access
Emmons Creek Fishery Area is 1,468 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Portage and Waupaca counties, 2 miles from Chain O' Lakes. 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 landOther county, city and regional landEmmons Creek Fishery AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,468 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Portage County and Waupaca County |
| Deer Management Unit | Portage County, Waupaca County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Emmons Creek Fishery Area |
| Nearest towns | Chain O' Lakes (2 mi), King (4 mi) and Waupaca (7 mi) |
What is Emmons Creek Fishery Area like?
Emmons Creek Fishery Area is a coldwater trout stream and was the former home of the Emmons Creek Coldwater Research Station (removed in 2009). There are many springs in the area, especially near Fountain Lake, which is surrounded by State lands. There is a boat access site on Fountain Lake. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through Emmons Creek Fishery Area and Hartman Creek State Park, which are adjacent to the property.
Emmons Creek Fishery Area is located in Portage County. Take State Hwy 54 East to County Hwy D (right), then straight to Stratton Lake Road. Emmons Creek Fishery Area is managed for trout habitat, Karner blue butterfly habitat, and oak savanna restoration. Property Manager Department of Natural Resources 225051 Rib Mountain Drive Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 679-0678. Fisheries Biologist Department of Natural Resources 225051 Rib Mountain Drive Wausau, WI 54401 (715) 679-0678.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Emmons Creek Fishery Area?
The DNR's property map lists Emmons Creek 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 Emmons Creek Fishery Area: Hunting, Trapping, Hiking, Snowmobiling trail, Cross-country skiing, Wildlife viewing, Fishing - Trout, Bird watching, Biking, Pets, Swimming, Berry picking and Canoeing.
How many deer are taken around Emmons Creek Fishery Area?
Emmons Creek Fishery Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 8,384 deer in Portage County in 2025, against 7,641 in 2024.
| DMU | Emmons Creek Fishery Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage County | 1,281 | 8,384 | 7,641 | 6,559 |
| Waupaca County | 187 | 10,740 | 10,349 | 9,097 |
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 Emmons Creek Fishery Area?
Nearest towns: Chain O' Lakes (2 miles), King (4 miles), Waupaca (7 miles) and Almond (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 22, WI 54 and US 10.
What other public land is near Emmons Creek Fishery Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- State Ice Age Trail Area (SIATA): 4,676 acres, next to it
- Hartman Creek State Park: 1,472 acres, next to it
- Radley Creek Fishery Area: 1,438 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Pickerel Lake State Natural Area: 143 acres, 2 miles away
- Waupaca River Fishery Area: 79 acres, 4.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Emmons Creek Fishery Area
Counting Emmons Creek Fishery Area itself, 4,951 of the 38,462 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.9%), 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 | 4,921 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 26 |
| State parks | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Emmons Creek Fishery Area?
In Portage and Waupaca counties, 2 miles from Chain O' Lakes. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Emmons Creek 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 Emmons Creek Fishery Area in?
Portage County (1,281 acres) and Waupaca County (187 acres).
How much public land is around Emmons Creek Fishery Area?
4,951 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Emmons Creek Fishery Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is State Ice Age Trail Area (SIATA) (next to it).
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Wisconsin 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, Wisconsin included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Emmons Creek 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 Portage County Waupaca County Portage County Waupaca County