Koshkonong Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Koshkonong Wildlife Area is 826 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Jefferson County, 2 miles from Lake Koshkonong. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, pheasants and ducks and geese among the game here. Hunters registered 3,843 deer in Jefferson 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 landLand trusts and other open landKoshkonong Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 826 acres in 6 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Deer Management Unit | Jefferson County |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants and ducks and geese |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Koshkonong Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Lake Koshkonong (2 mi), Fort Atkinson (2 mi) and Milton (7 mi) |
What is Koshkonong Wildlife Area like?
Koshkonong Wildlife Area started as a scattered wetland purchase, with protecting the high-quality wetland adjacent to the lake being the primary concern. In 1990, the decision was made to make the area into a full wildlife area project, which would provide the opportunity to increase the acquisition of adjacent lands. This action provided an improvement to hunting and wildlife watching opportunities and better protects the wetlands. Currently, the wildlife area is approximately 800 acres of high-quality deep-water marsh, which transitions into shrub carr and bottomland hardwoods. The Rock River flows along the present northern boundary and the Lake Koshkonong shore forms the wildlife area’s western boundary. On the south side of the property, there is a small portion of uplands primarily consisting of existing and restored oak savanna.
The Rock River can be accessed by a boat launch to the northeast off the west end of Groeller Road. On the west side of Koshkonong Wildlife Area, Lake Koshkonong can be accessed by a boat launch located at the north end of Vinnie Haha Road off of Mounds Road. To find Koshkonong Wildlife Area, go south of Fort Atkinson on U.S. Highway 26 and watch for access to Old Highway 26 on the west side of the highway. Head south on Old Highway 26 to Mounds Road, turn west and the southernmost parking lot is immediately on the right or north side. The habitat management objectives for Koshkonong Wildlife Area are protecting, maintaining, and restoring native flora to the property. The management techniques employed include prescribed fire, brush control, and other invasive species removal efforts. The Koshkonong Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Koshkonong Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey, pheasants and 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 Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Koshkonong 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 Koshkonong Wildlife Area: Birding, Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (noted for waterfowl, deer, turkey, dove and some pheasant), Kayaking, Snowmobiling trail, Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
Koshkonong Wildlife Area lies in Jefferson County. The DNR registered 3,843 deer in Jefferson County in 2025, against 3,816 in 2024.
| DMU | Koshkonong Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 826 | 3,843 | 3,816 | 3,579 |
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 Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Lake Koshkonong (2 miles), Fort Atkinson (2 miles), Milton (7 miles) and Jefferson (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 26, WI 106, US 12 and WI 89.
What other public land is near Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Lima Marsh - Storrs Lake Wildlife Area: 2,988 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Red Cedar Lake State Natural Area: 49 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Jefferson Marsh State Wildlife And Natural Area: 3,326 acres, 6.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Koshkonong Wildlife Area
Counting Koshkonong Wildlife Area itself, 1,262 of the 30,484 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.1%), 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 | 906 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 239 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 117 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
In Jefferson County, 2 miles from Lake Koshkonong. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Koshkonong 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 Koshkonong Wildlife Area in?
Jefferson County.
How much public land is around Koshkonong Wildlife Area?
1,262 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Koshkonong Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Lima Marsh - Storrs Lake Wildlife Area (3.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Koshkonong 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.