Hay Creek Fishery Area: hunting and access
Hay Creek Fishery Area is 300 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Chippewa County, 4 miles from Bloomer. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, pheasants and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 6,315 deer in DMU Chippewa 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 landLand trusts and other open landHay Creek Fishery AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 300 acres in 8 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Chippewa County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU Chippewa |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Hay Creek Fishery Area |
| Nearest towns | Bloomer (4 mi), Colfax (8 mi) and Chippewa Falls (8 mi) |
What is Hay Creek Fishery Area like?
The Hay Creek Fishery Area includes 94 acres of land in fee title, which covers approximately 1.3 miles of stream. Fisheries easements provide public access along an additional 5.5 miles of stream. The combination of easements and fee title lands cover a majority of the stream frontage in the fishery area. Hay Creek originates in agricultural lands and flows through wetlands surrounded by agricultural lands. Water quality of the stream is considered good, but agricultural activities do contribute a moderate level of nutrients. The stream is a very-low-gradient stream bordered by open wetlands in the upper half of the stream and tag alder and lowland hardwood trees in the lower portion.
The Hay Creek Fishery Area was initially approved for land acquisition in 1969. The current master plan for acquisition boundaries and management objectives was approved in 1981. Hay Creek Fishery Area is located in west-central Chippewa County, approximately 4 miles south of Bloomer. Hay Creek is a class 1 brook trout stream. Ever since brown trout stocking was eliminated, Hay Creek has been overlooked by many anglers as a good brook trout stream. Fishing is limited to bridge crossings, shoreline angling, or wading. Fly fishing this stream is difficult because of the stream width combined with tag alder and reed canary grass along the banks. Occasionally, anglers can still catch brown trout in Hay Creek. Hay Creek flows into lower Duncan Creek where a native brown trout fishery has been developing in recent years. Hay Creek is managed as a naturally reproducing brook trout stream.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Hay Creek Fishery Area?
The DNR's page for Hay Creek Fishery Area names deer, wild turkey, pheasants 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 Hay Creek Fishery Area?
The DNR's property map lists Hay 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 Hay Creek Fishery Area: Hunting - deer, turkey, pheasant, and small game, Trapping, Wildlife viewing, Fishing - brook trout and Bird watching.
How many deer are taken around Hay Creek Fishery Area?
Hay Creek Fishery Area lies in DMU Chippewa. The DNR registered 6,315 deer in DMU Chippewa in 2025.
| DMU | Hay Creek Fishery Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU Chippewa | 300 | 6,315 |
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 Hay Creek Fishery Area?
Nearest towns: Bloomer (4 miles), Colfax (8 miles), Chippewa Falls (8 miles) and New Auburn (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 53, WI 40 and WI 124.
What other public land is near Hay Creek Fishery Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Elk Creek Fishery Area: 504 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Duncan Creek Fishery Area: 360 acres, 5 miles away
- McCann Creek Fishery Area: 433 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Old Abe State Trail: 250 acres, 7.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hay Creek Fishery Area
Counting Hay Creek Fishery Area itself, 315 of the 40,643 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (0.8%), 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 | 311 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hay Creek Fishery Area?
In Chippewa County, 4 miles from Bloomer. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Hay 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 Hay Creek Fishery Area in?
DMU Chippewa.
How much public land is around Hay Creek Fishery Area?
315 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hay Creek Fishery Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Elk Creek Fishery Area (4.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hay 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.