Wolf River Fishery Area: hunting and access
Wolf River Fishery Area is 205 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Waupaca County, next to New London. Hunters registered 10,740 deer in Waupaca 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 landState parksOther county, city and regional landWolf River Fishery AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 205 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Waupaca County |
| Deer Management Unit | Waupaca County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Wolf River Fishery Area |
| Nearest towns | New London (next to it), Northport (next to it) and Hortonville (7 mi) |
What is Wolf River Fishery Area like?
The New London bypass ditch runs through the property. Also known as the Rasmussan Canal, this ditch was dug in the 1940's-50's to relieve flooding in downtown New London by allowing water on the Embarrass River to bypass the city and enter the Wolf River downstream of the town. The canal's success at relieving flooding for the city was marginal, but it did create a backwater area on the property that offers some wetland wildlife habitat. There also are several small dug potholes or impoundments on the property. Currently, no developed recreational facilities exist on the property and access is limited. State Hwy 54, which forms the northern border of the property, is closed to parking, making access very difficult. In addition, a railroad corridor that traverses the site essentially divides the property in two from an access perspective, as public trespass is prohibited on the grade.
The Wolf River Fishery Area is located in Waupaca County in the Town of Mukwa. T22N R14E Sections 2,3 and 11. The Wolf River Fishery Area is managed to enhance to the extent and quality of the floodplain forest and associated habitat types for the benefit of both game and non-game wildlife and to provide for opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Wolf River Fishery Area?
The DNR's property map lists Wolf 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 Wolf River Fishery Area: Hunting, Trapping and Fishing.
How many deer are taken around Wolf River Fishery Area?
Wolf River Fishery Area lies in Waupaca County. The DNR registered 10,740 deer in Waupaca County in 2025, against 10,349 in 2024.
| DMU | Wolf River Fishery Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waupaca County | 205 | 10,740 | 10,349 | 9,097 |
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 Wolf River Fishery Area?
Nearest towns: New London (next to it), Northport (next to it), Hortonville (7 miles) and Manawa (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 45, WI 54 and WI 15.
What other public land is near Wolf River Fishery Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Mukwa Wildlife Area: 1,338 acres, next to it
- Lower Wolf River Bottomlands Natural Resource Area: 3,670 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Newton Blackmour State Trail: 286 acres, 0.8 miles away
- Hortonville Bog State Natural Area: 794 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Shaky Lake State Natural Area: 222 acres, 5.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Wolf River Fishery Area
Counting Wolf River Fishery Area itself, 2,040 of the 25,213 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.1%), 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 | 1,767 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 272 |
| State parks | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Wolf River Fishery Area?
In Waupaca County, next to New London. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Wolf 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 Wolf River Fishery Area in?
Waupaca County.
How much public land is around Wolf River Fishery Area?
2,040 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Wolf River Fishery Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Mukwa Wildlife Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Wolf 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.