French Creek Wildlife Area: hunting and access
French Creek Wildlife Area is 3,764 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Columbia and Marquette counties, 5 miles from Endeavor. The DNR's page for it names ducks and geese among the game here. Hunters registered 7,189 deer in Columbia 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 areasLand trusts and other open landVoluntary Public Access landFrench Creek Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,764 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Columbia County and Marquette County |
| Deer Management Unit | Columbia County, Marquette County |
| DNR lists for hunting | ducks and geese |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | French Creek Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Endeavor (5 mi), Portage (5 mi) and Pardeeville (6 mi) |
What is French Creek Wildlife Area like?
French Creek Wildlife Area is a 3,645-acre property located in Columbia and Marquette Counties. Find it 6 miles northeast of Portage on Highway F. The wildlife area includes disjunct ownership in the towns of Fort Winnebago and Marcellon in Columbia County and the town of Buffalo in Marquette County. Prior to the establishment of the state wildlife area in 1947, the marshland was once devoted to the production of "wire-grass, an invasive plant used in the manufacturing of grass rugs and matting. Later, it was subject to grazing and the occasional harvest of wild hay by farmers. Early settlers regularly hunted prairie chicken in the French Creek area.
Today, the property primarily focuses on waterfowl production and hunting opportunities. It is recognized for the large, diverse wetlands dominated by sedge meadows, fens and tamaracks. The uplands are a mix of grasslands, oak savanna, and oak forests. Two State Natural Areas exist within the wildlife area, recognized for their large, diverse wetlands dominated by sedge meadows, fens and tamaracks: French Creek Fen and French Creek North. The property also hosts a 240-acre waterfowl refuge in the French Creek impoundment. Along with hunting, French Creek is also used by hikers, birders, and especially by paddlers who enjoy exploring the marshes and waterways. Fishing is a popular activity, particularly below the dam of the French Creek impoundment. Current management objectives focus on protecting the watersheds of French and Spring Creeks and managing for primarily native flora.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on French Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for French Creek 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 French Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists French Creek 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 French Creek Wildlife Area: Birding, Boating (motorized and non-motorized), Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing and Hiking (no designated trail) Dogs must be kept on a leash of no longer than 8ft from April 15 to July 31.
How many deer are taken around French Creek Wildlife Area?
French Creek Wildlife Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 7,189 deer in Columbia County in 2025, against 7,176 in 2024.
| DMU | French Creek Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | 2,252 | 7,189 | 7,176 | 6,629 |
| Marquette County | 1,504 | 7,790 | 7,744 | 6,550 |
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 French Creek Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Endeavor (5 miles), Portage (5 miles), Pardeeville (6 miles) and Dalton (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-39, WI 22, US 51 and WI 78.
What other public land is near French Creek Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Upper Fox River Public Access: 401 acres, 1 mile away
- Observatory Hill State Natural Area: 178 acres, 2.1 miles away
- Swan Lake Wildlife Area: 2,502 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area: 7,648 acres, 5.1 miles away
- Pine Island Wildlife Area: 5,615 acres, 6.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of French Creek Wildlife Area
Counting French Creek Wildlife Area itself, 5,229 of the 52,668 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (9.9%), 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 | 3,991 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,212 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 25 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is French Creek Wildlife Area?
In Columbia and Marquette counties, 5 miles from Endeavor. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is French Creek 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 French Creek Wildlife Area in?
Columbia County (2,252 acres) and Marquette County (1,504 acres).
How much public land is around French Creek Wildlife Area?
5,229 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, French Creek Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Upper Fox River Public Access (1 mile).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, French Creek 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.
Wisconsin hunting Columbia County Marquette County Columbia County Marquette County