One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA: hunting and access
One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA is 379 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Oneida County, 3 miles from Three Lakes. Hunters registered 1,155 deer in DMU 120 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 landOne Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 379 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Oneida County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 120 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | One Stone Lake Hemlocks |
| Nearest towns | Three Lakes (3 mi), Eagle River (5 mi) and Rhinelander (15 mi) |
What is One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA like?
Situated along the northern boundary of Thunder Lake Wildlife Area and the Rice Lake natural area, One Stone Lake Hemlocks supports stands of mature mesic forest with some old-growth characteristics. The canopy is heavily dominated by hemlock with associated species of yellow birch, sugar maple, and white cedar. A few super-canopy white pines are present. Most canopy gaps contain sugar maple; however, hemlock is reproducing well near the lakeshore and locally through the site. The herbaceous layer varies from sparse to luxuriant. Characteristic species include Canada mayflower, intermediate wood-fern, shining clubmoss, American starflower, three-leaved goldthread, and wood sorrel. This site is part of one of the largest wetland complexes within the north-central region.
Oneida County. T39N-R10E, Sections 21, 27, 28. 342 acres. Winter access is best by snowshoeing or x-country skiing from the Rice Lake boat landing. Highway 45 and County Highway A in Three Lakes, go north on Highway 45 for 1 mile, then west on Rice Lake Road 2.4 miles to the boat launch on the east shore of Rice Lake. Walk north through the Thunder Lake Wildlife Area 1.5 miles, across/around two drainage ditches and into the site.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA?
The DNR's property map lists One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA 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 One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA?
One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA lies in DMU 120. The DNR registered 1,155 deer in DMU 120 in 2025.
| DMU | One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 120 | 379 | 1,155 |
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 One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA?
Nearest towns: Three Lakes (3 miles), Eagle River (5 miles), Rhinelander (15 miles) and Lake Tomahawk (16 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 45, WI 17, WI 32 and WI 70.
What other public land is near One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Thunder Lake Wildlife Area: 3,253 acres, next to it
- American Legion State Forest: 61,094 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Northern Highland State Forest: 176,323 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Sugar Camp Hemlocks State Natural Area: 80 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA
Counting One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA itself, 3,774 of the 30,945 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.2%), 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 | 3,774 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA?
In Oneida County, 3 miles from Three Lakes. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA 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 One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA in?
DMU 120.
How much public land is around One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA?
3,774 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Thunder Lake Wildlife Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, One Stone Lake Hemlocks/Little Rice Lake SNA; 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.