White River Wildlife Area-Ashland: hunting and access
White River Wildlife Area-Ashland is 1,276 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Ashland County, 4 miles from Ashland. The DNR's page for it names pheasants among the game here. Hunters registered 1,250 deer in DMU 106 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 landOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landWhite River Wildlife Area-AshlandCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,276 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Ashland County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 106 |
| DNR lists for hunting | pheasants |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | White River Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Ashland (4 mi), Marengo (6 mi) and Jolmaville (6 mi) |
What is White River Wildlife Area-Ashland like?
White River Wildlife Area is a 1,120-acre property located in northwest Ashland County, two and a half miles south of the city of Ashland. It was established in 1946 to protect winter deer habitat. While still utilized by wintering deer, the once dense balsam fir and young white pines which line the many steep and deep gullies leading to the White River have matured and been heavily browsed and winter habitat values have significantly decreased. The White River Wildlife Area is entirely wooded and features numerous habitats important to a full range of wildlife species due to varying topography and forest successional stages. From furbearers and waterfowl to grouse, deer, bear, raptors and songbirds, the property offers opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to see and enjoy many different species.
In addition, approximately three miles of the White River flows through the northern portion of the wildlife area. The White is an important tributary to the Bad River in Ashland County and has a good warm water fishery, with an annual anadromous run of steelhead from Lake Superior. However, the wildlife area provides limited access to the river, requiring walking for a distance from the parking area (~1 mile). Located in northwest Ashland County, there are no developed parking lots in the White River Wildlife Area. South of Ashland on the west side of Highway 13, there is a small parking area on the south side of the White River that is often used for canoe takeout for people floating the River from the west. This parking area can also provide canoe access to the Wildlife Area. However, there is no take-out location on the property, so a return trip to the parking area is necessary.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
The DNR's page for White River Wildlife Area-Ashland names pheasants. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
The DNR's property map lists White River Wildlife Area-Ashland 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 White River Wildlife Area-Ashland: Birding, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (pheasant noon closure rule applies), Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
White River Wildlife Area-Ashland lies in DMU 106. The DNR registered 1,250 deer in DMU 106 in 2025.
| DMU | White River Wildlife Area-Ashland acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 106 | 1,276 | 1,250 |
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 White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
Nearest towns: Ashland (4 miles), Marengo (6 miles), Jolmaville (6 miles) and Bayfront (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 13, WI 112, WI 118 and WI 137.
What other public land is near White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- White River Fishery Area-Bayfield: 4,546 acres, 1.2 miles away
- SSLSFA - Fish Creek Unit: 1,918 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Copper Falls State Park: 3,536 acres, 9.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of White River Wildlife Area-Ashland
Counting White River Wildlife Area-Ashland itself, 1,448 of the 32,233 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.5%), 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 | 1,448 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
In Ashland County, 4 miles from Ashland. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is White River Wildlife Area-Ashland 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 White River Wildlife Area-Ashland in?
DMU 106.
How much public land is around White River Wildlife Area-Ashland?
1,448 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, White River Wildlife Area-Ashland included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is White River Fishery Area-Bayfield (1.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, White River Wildlife Area-Ashland; 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.