Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit
Hunting and Fishing

• Hunting and Target Shooting
• Fishing 

Hunting and Target Shooting

Most of the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest's 21,000 acres are open to hunting during established open seasons . Some seasons are subject to change. Consult the Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations before going hunting.

Hunting is not permitted in intensive use areas such as parking lots, picnic areas, or wildlife refuges, or other posted special use areas. Hunting is also prohibited in Old World Wisconsin, Scuppernong Springs Nature Area, Rice Lake Nature Trail, and within 100 yards of any campground.

There are many areas of private land scattered throughout the forest. It is the hunter's responsibility to be sure to stay on state-owned property and not trespass on adjacent private lands. A hunting map is available on the web [PDF 589 KB] and at Forest Headquarters, and the Ottawa Lake and Whitewater Lake Visitor Centers.

The only target shooting permitted within the forest is at the McMiller Sports Center [exit DNR] in Eagle It is owned by the state forest and operated by a concessionaire. This shooting range offers a wide range of gun and bow range opportunities that are open to the public year round.

Fishing

There are four lakes within or bordering the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. These lakes, ranging in size from 28 acres to 640 acres, for a total of 860 acres. The major fish populations in these lakes include panfish and walleye. Muskie, large and smallmouth bass, trout, and northern pike are also present.

Ottawa Lake has a fishing pier that is accessible to people who are mobility impaired.

Ottawa Lake has a fishing pier that is accessible to people who are mobility impaired.
DNR Photo by Joe Warren

Public access is provided on these lakes by either a developed boat landing or walk-in access. The use of gas-powered motors is prohibited on Ottawa Lake.

Other boating restrictions may apply. Check at landings for posted information regarding wake/no wake rules and whether or not a state park vehicle admission sticker is required. All watercraft must be equipped with a wearable Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each person on board.

Consult the Wisconsin Fishing and Related Species Regulations before going fishing.

For more information, ask:

Southern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest
Forest Headquarters
S91 W39091 Hwy 59
Eagle, Wisconsin 53119
(262) 594-6200 or (262) 594-6201

Eldene Furman, Program Assistant

Ottawa Lake Visitor Center
(262) 594-6220 (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

Whitewater Lake Visitor Center
(262) 473-6427 (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

McMiller Sports Center
S103 W38754 Highway NN
Eagle, WI 53119
(262) 594-5900 or (800) 947-4668