Prairie River Fishery Area: hunting and access
Prairie River Fishery Area is 2,622 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Lincoln and Langlade counties, 4 miles from Merrill. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, bear and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 2,516 deer in DMU 119 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 county, city and regional landPrairie River Fishery AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,622 acres in 32 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Lincoln County and Langlade County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 119, DMU 123 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, bear and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Prairie River Fishery Area |
| Nearest towns | Merrill (4 mi), Tomahawk (9 mi) and Elcho (9 mi) |
What is Prairie River Fishery Area like?
Prairie River Fishery Area contains 1840 acres in Langlade and Lincoln Counties. The Prairie River is a cold water resource having slightly acidic, clear water, and parts of it are classified as Exceptional Resource Waters (ERW). The fish population includes brook trout, brown trout, white sucker, northern pike, bass, and forage fish. The majority of property adjacent to the Prairie River is wooded and wild with the remaining land low density residential, agricultural, and wetlands. Prairie River Fishery Area is along County Hwy G and J southeast of Tomahawk in Langlade and Lincoln Counties.
The primary angling activity this property serves is wading and shore fishing for trout. Prairie River Fishery Area is managed for trout and wildlife habitat. Lincoln County Lakes & Rivers Association Wisconsin River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited [exit DNR] Friends of the Prairie River [exit DNR].
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Prairie River Fishery Area?
The DNR's page for Prairie River Fishery Area names deer, wild turkey, bear and small game. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Prairie River Fishery Area?
The DNR's property map lists Prairie River Fishery 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 Prairie River Fishery Area: Hunting - deer, bear, turkey and small game, Trapping, Hiking, Snowmobiling trail, Cross-country skiing and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Prairie River Fishery Area?
Prairie River Fishery Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 2,516 deer in DMU 119 in 2025.
| DMU | Prairie River Fishery Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 119 | 1,711 | 2,516 |
| DMU 123 | 911 | 1,726 |
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 Prairie River Fishery Area?
Nearest towns: Merrill (4 miles), Tomahawk (9 miles), Elcho (9 miles) and Summit Lake (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 51, WI 64, WI 17 and WI 107.
What other public land is near Prairie River Fishery Area?
Public land within 3 miles of Prairie River Fishery Area
Counting Prairie River Fishery Area itself, 38,200 of the 123,207 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (31%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| County forest | 35,399 |
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 2,790 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 6 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 5 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Prairie River Fishery Area?
In Lincoln and Langlade counties, 4 miles from Merrill. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Prairie River Fishery 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 Prairie River Fishery Area in?
DMU 119 (1,711 acres) and DMU 123 (911 acres).
How much public land is around Prairie River Fishery Area?
38,200 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Prairie River Fishery Area included, by PAD-US 4.1.
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
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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, Prairie River Fishery 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.