Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit: hunting and access
Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit is 781 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Washington County, 2 miles from Slinger. Hunters registered 3,731 deer in Washington 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 landKettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake UnitCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 781 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Deer Management Unit | Washington County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Pike Lake Unit |
| Nearest towns | Slinger (2 mi), Hartford (2 mi) and Rubicon (6 mi) |
What is Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit like?
The Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is in the middle of the Kettle Moraine, a strip of glacial landforms which extends through southeast Wisconsin. The forest is named after the 522-acre, spring-fed kettle lake. Powder Hill, a large glacial kame, provides terrific views of the landscape. Visitors can enjoy camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, picnicking and more.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit?
The DNR's property map lists Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
How many deer are taken around Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit?
Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit lies in Washington County. The DNR registered 3,731 deer in Washington County in 2025, against 3,427 in 2024.
| DMU | Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 781 | 3,731 | 3,427 | 2,972 |
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 Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit?
Nearest towns: Slinger (2 miles), Hartford (2 miles), Rubicon (6 miles) and Richfield (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 60, US 41, I-41, WI 83 and WI 175.
What other public land is near Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- State Ice Age Trail Area (SIATA): 4,676 acres, next to it
- Allenton Wildlife Area: 1,161 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Cedar Creek Streambank Protection Area: 101 acres, 4 miles away
- Kettle Moraine State Forest-Loew Lake Unit: 1,238 acres, 4.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit
Counting Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit itself, 1,401 of the 32,161 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.4%), 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 | 1,241 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 160 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit?
In Washington County, 2 miles from Slinger. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit 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 Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit in?
Washington County.
How much public land is around Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit?
1,401 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is State Ice Age Trail Area (SIATA) (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Kettle Moraine State Forest-Pike Lake Unit; 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.