Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area: hunting and access
Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area is 741 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Columbia County, 3 miles from Wyocena. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and rabbits and squirrels among the game here. 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 areasOther federal landOther county, city and regional landRocky Run Creek Fishery AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 741 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Deer Management Unit | Columbia County |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and rabbits and squirrels |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Rocky Run Fishery Area |
| Nearest towns | Wyocena (3 mi), Dekorra (3 mi) and Poynette (4 mi) |
What is Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area like?
Rocky Run Creek is a long, low gradient stream which originates from Mud Lake in Lowville Township and flows into the Wisconsin River. The broad stream valley is generally bordered by steep valley slopes, which isolate it from surrounding land uses. The stream valley contains a diversity of land types, and plant and animal communities. Rocky Run Fishery Area includes the Rocky Run Oak Savanna State Natural Area. An eight-mile section of Rocky Run Creek (downstream of Hwy 22 and upstream of the railroad crossing) is classified as trout water. Within this section, the upper six miles are designated as class 2 trout water and the lower two miles are designated as Class 3 trout water.
Rocky Run Fishery Area is a 737-acre property located in Columbia County. From Rio, take County Hwy B west 6 miles to Dunning Road, then north 1/2 mile to access point. Or, from the intersection of State Highways 16 and 22 south of Wyocena, go south on 22 1.9 miles to the Rocky Run Fishery Area parking area west of the road. Primary angling activities include fly fishing and angling via shore and wading. Rocky Run Creek is primarily managed for trout. The Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SWTU) [exit DNR].
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
The DNR's page for Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese and rabbits and squirrels. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
The DNR's property map lists Rocky Run Creek 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 Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area: Hunting - deer (DMU 70G), turkeys (Zone 3), rabbits, squirrel, waterfowl, furbearers, Trapping, Hiking and Cross-country skiing.
How many deer are taken around Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area lies in Columbia County. The DNR registered 7,189 deer in Columbia County in 2025, against 7,176 in 2024.
| DMU | Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County | 741 | 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 Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
Nearest towns: Wyocena (3 miles), Dekorra (3 miles), Poynette (4 miles) and Rio (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 16, US 51, WI 22, I-90 and I-94.
What other public land is near Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Rocky Run Oak Savanna State Natural Area: 164 acres, next to it
- Mud Lake Wildlife Area-Columbia: 2,281 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Hinkson Creek Fishery Area: 235 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Poynette Game Farm: 625 acres, 3 miles away
- Swan Lake Wildlife Area: 2,502 acres, 3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area
Counting Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area itself, 1,691 of the 34,957 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.8%), 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 | 984 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 673 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 21 |
| Other federal land | 13 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
In Columbia County, 3 miles from Wyocena. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Rocky Run Creek 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 Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area in?
Columbia County.
How much public land is around Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area?
1,691 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Rocky Run Oak Savanna State Natural Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Rocky Run Creek 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.