Pike Wild River: hunting and access
Pike Wild River is 4,758 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Marinette County, next to Amberg. Hunters registered 3,288 deer in DMU 126 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 landCounty forestOther federal landPike Wild RiverCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 4,758 acres in 53 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Marinette County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 126, DMU Marinette, DMU 125 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Pike Wild River |
| Nearest towns | Amberg (next to it), Dunbar (3 mi) and Pembine (5 mi) |
What is Pike Wild River like?
Numerous rapids and waterfalls blend with rock bluffs along this rugged river in northeast Wisconsin. The Pike River watershed includes over 300 miles of streams and lakes, providing terrific opportunities for paddling, fishing, hunting and hiking in a wild and scenic area.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Pike Wild River?
The DNR's property map lists Pike Wild River 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 Pike Wild River?
Pike Wild River lies in 3 deer management units. The DNR registered 3,288 deer in DMU 126 in 2025.
| DMU | Pike Wild River acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 126 | 2,903 | 3,288 |
| DMU Marinette | 1,178 | 7,552 |
| DMU 125 | 677 | 2,310 |
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 Pike Wild River?
Nearest towns: Amberg (next to it), Dunbar (3 miles), Pembine (5 miles) and Wausaukee (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 141 and US 8.
What other public land is near Pike Wild River?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Town Corner Wildlife Area: 899 acres, next to it
- Amberg Wildlife Area: 1,169 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Miscauno Wildlife Area: 622 acres, 2.1 miles away
- Wausaukee Timber Demo Forest: 40 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Wausaukee River State Habitat Area: 23 acres, 4.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Pike Wild River
Counting Pike Wild River itself, 44,547 of the 132,641 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (33.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| County forest | 37,252 |
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 7,293 |
| Other federal land | 2 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Pike Wild River?
In Marinette County, next to Amberg. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Pike Wild River 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 Pike Wild River in?
DMU 126 (2,903 acres), DMU Marinette (1,178 acres) and DMU 125 (677 acres).
How much public land is around Pike Wild River?
44,547 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Pike Wild River included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Town Corner Wildlife Area (next to it).
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Wisconsin are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Wisconsin included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Pike Wild River; 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.