Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area: hunting and access
Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area is 27,366 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Oneida County, 7 miles from Minocqua. Hunters registered 1,218 deer in DMU 116 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 forestNational forestOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landWillow Flowage Scenic Waters AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 27,366 acres in 14 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Oneida County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 116 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Willow Flowage |
| Nearest towns | Minocqua (7 mi), Woodruff (8 mi) and Lake Tomahawk (11 mi) |
What is Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area like?
With limited development and access, the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area is a large, island-studded reservoir with a truly wild flavor. The property includes 73 miles of shoreline (95% of which is undeveloped), 106 islands and seven boat landings. There are 37 rustic campsites scattered along the flowage shoreline and islands and 4 rustic campsites along the Lower Tomahawk River. All campsites are accessible by watercraft and are clearly marked along the water's edge.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area?
The DNR's property map lists Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area 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 Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area?
Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area lies in DMU 116. The DNR registered 1,218 deer in DMU 116 in 2025.
| DMU | Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 116 | 27,366 | 1,218 |
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 Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area?
Nearest towns: Minocqua (7 miles), Woodruff (8 miles), Lake Tomahawk (11 miles) and Lac du Flambeau (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 51.
What other public land is near Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Willow Flowage SWA - Dick Steffes Unit: 2,034 acres, next to it
- Forest Legacy Program: 33,075 acres, next to it
- Upper Tomahawk River Pines State Natural Area: 365 acres, next to it
- Gobler Lake State Natural Area: 393 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Bearskin State Trail: 638 acres, 0.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area
Counting Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area itself, 63,243 of the 139,219 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (45.4%), 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 | 40,650 |
| County forest | 22,296 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 293 |
| State parks | 3 |
| Other federal land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area?
In Oneida County, 7 miles from Minocqua. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Willow Flowage Scenic Waters 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 Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area in?
DMU 116.
How much public land is around Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area?
63,243 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Willow Flowage SWA - Dick Steffes Unit (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Willow Flowage Scenic Waters 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.