Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area is 1,596 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Columbia County, 3 miles from Doylestown. Hunters registered 7,189 deer in Columbia 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasLand trusts and other open landVoluntary Public Access landParadise Marsh Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,596 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Deer Management Unit | Columbia County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Doylestown (3 mi), Randolph (4 mi) and Cambria (5 mi) |
What is Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area like?
Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area is a 1,588-acre property located in Columbia County. Find it by going south of Randolph 1 mile on Highway 73 to Highway G. Go west on G 3 miles to the wildlife area. The property consists of approximately 1,000 acres of wetland, 400 acres of grasslands and 180 acres of forested habitat. Paradise Marsh has long provided excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife and migratory waterfowl. During the early 1900s, the cutting of marsh hay by farmers was a common practice. During the early 1900s, the cutting of marsh hay by farmers was a common practice. Drainage ditches were dug throughout the marsh in an effort to farm the wetland’s muck soils, and large portions of Beaver Creek were straightened. According to reports from 1910-1930, prairie chickens were commonly found in the marsh and surrounding areas.
In 1962, the Wisconsin Conservation Commission (precursor to the DNR) purchased 425 acres of wetlands in the Paradise Marsh area. The intent of creating the Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area was to eventually improve habitat conditions for waterfowl and pheasant by reducing further drainage of the marsh and providing undisturbed upland nesting cover. Historically, the primary management objective for Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area was to provide hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. As lands were acquired, marginal farm fields were converted to grassland to complement the existing grassland community and provide additional wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities. A large wetland restoration was completed to create the flowage on the south side of the property.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Paradise Marsh 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 Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area: Birding, Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Kayaking, Snowshoeing (no designated trail), Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area?
Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area lies in Columbia County. The DNR registered 7,189 deer in Columbia County in 2025, against 7,176 in 2024.
| DMU | Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | 1,596 | 7,189 | 7,176 | 6,629 |
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 Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Doylestown (3 miles), Randolph (4 miles), Cambria (5 miles) and Fall River (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 73, WI 146, WI 16 and WI 33. 1 VPA property within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Glacial Habitat Restoration Area: 11,308 acres, next to it
- Jennings Creek Wildlife Area: 532 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Grassy Lake Wildlife Area: 701 acres, 4 miles away
- Peter Helland Wildlife Area: 3,576 acres, 5.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area
Counting Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area itself, 2,477 of the 36,381 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.8%), 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 | 2,254 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 223 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area?
In Columbia County, 3 miles from Doylestown. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Paradise Marsh 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 Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area in?
Columbia County.
How much public land is around Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area?
2,477 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Glacial Habitat Restoration Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Paradise Marsh 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.