Governor Thompson State Park: hunting and access
Governor Thompson State Park is 2,947 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Marinette County, 11 miles from Crivitz. Hunters registered 3,288 deer in DMU 126 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 forestOther federal landState parksLand trusts and other open landGovernor Thompson State ParkCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,947 acres in 6 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Marinette County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 126 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Governor Thompson |
| Nearest towns | Crivitz (11 mi), Wausaukee (11 mi) and Lakewood (12 mi) |
What is Governor Thompson State Park like?
With more than 2,800 acres of woods, a family campground, picnic and beach area on Woods Lake, hiking and skiing trails, and 6 miles of shoreline on Caldron Falls Flowage, visitors will find an atmosphere perfect for relaxation and recreation. The park is adjacent to the Peshtigo River, a popular free-flowing river for fly-fishing and canoeing.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Governor Thompson State Park?
The DNR's property map lists Governor Thompson State Park as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
In Wisconsin state parks and recreation areas, hunting is limited to the seasons and the parts of the property the DNR sets for each one; the DNR's page has the details.
How many deer are taken around Governor Thompson State Park?
Governor Thompson State Park lies in DMU 126. The DNR registered 3,288 deer in DMU 126 in 2025.
| DMU | Governor Thompson State Park acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 126 | 2,947 | 3,288 |
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 Governor Thompson State Park?
Nearest towns: Crivitz (11 miles), Wausaukee (11 miles), Lakewood (12 miles) and Mountain (14 miles).
What other public land is near Governor Thompson State Park?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest: 11,795 acres, next to it
- Thunder River Rearing Station: 136 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Wausaukee River State Habitat Area: 23 acres, 7.2 miles away
- North Branch Beaver Creek Fishery Area: 1,150 acres, 9.3 miles away
- Amberg Wildlife Area: 1,169 acres, 9.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Governor Thompson State Park
Counting Governor Thompson State Park itself, 15,546 of the 44,707 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (34.8%), 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 | 10,925 |
| National forest | 3,784 |
| County forest | 827 |
| State parks | 10 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Governor Thompson State Park?
In Marinette County, 11 miles from Crivitz. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Governor Thompson State Park 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 Governor Thompson State Park in?
DMU 126.
How much public land is around Governor Thompson State Park?
15,546 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Governor Thompson State Park included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest (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, Governor Thompson State Park; 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.