Fish Lake Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Fish Lake Wildlife Area is 13,535 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Burnett County, 3 miles from Grantsburg. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 3,490 deer in DMU 108 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 forestNational park landFish Lake Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 13,535 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Burnett County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 108, DMU Burnett |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Fish Lake Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Grantsburg (3 mi), Frederic (10 mi) and Luck (13 mi) |
What is Fish Lake Wildlife Area like?
Fish Lake Wildlife Area is a 14,000-acre property of wetlands, pine/oak barrens and forests scattered across a gently rolling landscape. It is located in western Burnett County. Fish Lake Wildlife Area is located approximately 3 miles south of Grantsburg and can be accessed from Highway 87 on the east, Fish Lake Road on the north, Shogren Road on the west and County Road O on the south. Fish Lake is open year-round, with something to do and see during every season. Most visitors come to view wildlife. The popularity of Fish Lake is attributed to its large size, spectacular vistas and great diversity of plants and wildlife. A system of well-maintained roads and observation areas provide excellent access and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Some visitors come to hunt or trap. The 1,200-acre wildlife refuge is closed to hunting and trapping from September 1-November 30 except for being open to hunting deer during the nine-day firearm and muzzleloader season. The remainder of the property is open to hunting and trapping. Fish Lake provides abundant hunting opportunities for deer, bears, turkeys, waterfowl and a variety of small game. Trappers have opportunities for nearly every furbearer found in Wisconsin. Fish Lake is part of the Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape. This landscape extends from northern Polk County to southern Bayfield County and covers nearly 2000 square miles. This large sand plain is a result of a large glacial lake (Glacial Lake Grantsburg) that covered the area after the retreat of the last glacier approximately 12,000 years ago.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Fish Lake Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese 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 Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Fish Lake 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 Fish Lake Wildlife Area: Auto travel, Biking, Birding, Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (noted for deer, bears, turkey, waterfowl, and a variety of small game), Snowmobiling trail, Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
Fish Lake Wildlife Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 3,490 deer in DMU 108 in 2025.
| DMU | Fish Lake Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 108 | 13,534 | 3,490 |
| DMU Burnett | 1 | 2,861 |
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 Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Grantsburg (3 miles), Frederic (10 miles), Luck (13 miles) and Lewis (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 48, WI 87 and WI 70.
What other public land is near Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Governor Knowles State Forest: 21,307 acres, next to it
- Grantsburg Station: 20 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Crex Meadows Wildlife Area: 29,812 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Round Lake State Habitat Area: 24 acres, 4.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Fish Lake Wildlife Area
Counting Fish Lake Wildlife Area itself, 16,332 of the 68,826 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (23.7%), 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 | 15,770 |
| National park land | 542 |
| County forest | 20 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
In Burnett County, 3 miles from Grantsburg. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Fish Lake 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 Fish Lake Wildlife Area in?
DMU 108 (13,534 acres) and DMU Burnett (1 acres).
How much public land is around Fish Lake Wildlife Area?
16,332 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Fish Lake Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Governor Knowles State Forest (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Fish Lake 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.