Find DNR Boat and Developed Shore Fishing Access Sites

New Features

1. - the main driving force behind displaying the data.
   • The Map button - will display DNR properties with roads, cities, rivers, lakes and many other features on a very clean looking, simple to navigate map.
   • The Satellite button - use to quickly display satellite or aerial photography
2. - gives the user the ability to display data in a number of different ways
   • DNR Lands - the traditional way our 1.6 million acres of land are represented. Fee title ownership is green, easement lands are pink.
   • Recreational Data - a popular theme to most outdoor enthusiasts. This allows you to see trout streams, natural areas, wildlife areas, state parks, boat landings, shore fishing opportunities and more.
   • Stewardship Lands - over twenty years ago (1990) the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program was set up to preserve valuable natural areas and wildlife habitat, protect water quality and fisheries, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation. This is one way of finding where these lands are.
   • Stewardship Grants - over twenty years ago (1990) the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program was set up to also work with various local units of government and non-profit conservation organizations in the form of grant dollars. This options allows you to quickly locate these properties.
   • Federal Interest Lands - numerous DNR properties have been purchased with the aid of federal dollars. This options gives the ability to see all the lands that have a federal interest.
   • Acquisition History - the DNR has been acquiring land since 1857. The map will show how the State has acquired property since we first started protecting lands. Check it out, it's kind of neat!
3. 
   • Find DNR Land - allows a person to find any DNR property in the state based on a series of steps. If you want all wildlife properties, select wildlife and GO. If you want all wildlife properties in Dane County you can do that too!
   • Print -gives you the ability to print an 8.5 x 11 map.
   • Identify - when something on the map seems confusing or you don't know what they represent, simply click this tool and the feature of interest on the map. The result will be displayed in a results window with more information.
   • Measure - this tool allows you to measure linear or area features on the ground and to determine the distance in feet, acres or even miles. How far is that favorite hunting spot from the road!
   • Transparency - this tool allows you to change the transparency of any number of "layers" on the map. If you want to see the property on an aerial photo - change the transparency to allow the background to become more clear. Try the slider and experiment with it, you'll love it!
   • Search - allows you to search for any DNR property, municipality, county, river/lake or even an address. DNR properties will automatically appear in the center of the map.
   • Legend - what does the green or pink color mean? If you don't know then click on the legend tool. Only the data that is represented on a map will appear in the legend.
4. Data Enhancements
   • color satellite images seamlessly integrated with aerial photography
   • local parks in a city near you. Pick your favorite municipal park it should now be visible on the map. (Data courtesy of Tele Atlas and ESRI).
   • county and national forests
   • trout streams with stream classifications
   • State Natural Areas
   • shore fishing opportunities
   • boat access locations
   • Deer, Turkey, and Bear Management Units
   • and more….

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the map not available?

Answer: The web map server might be down temporarily.

What is a Shore Fishing Site?

Answer: Developed shore fishing sitess are specifically created sites where the public can go fishing without a boat. They include fishing piers, flat fishing spots on the shoreline, and shoreline fishing trails with multiple fishing stations. Each facility is designed to be accessible by those with disabilities, but can be used by all anglers.

Who can use these boat access and shore fishing sites?

Answer: The general public has access to these sites. A fee may be required to launch a boat from some of these locations.

Are these all of the boat access or shore fishing sites in the state?

Answer: No. These are only public sites that DNR Field Staff have identified and provided information for (see "verified" below). Private boat access and shore fishing sites are not displayed on this site.

What does "verified" mean?

Answer: "Verified" is a term meaning that a DNR Field Staff has looked at this location on a map and determined that it was located correctly as well as providing some basic information about the site (restrooms, launch lanes, etc.).

How can I see air photos/topographic information?

Answer: Use the Satellite button to quickly display satellite or aerial photography

How do I see additional detail?

Answer: You can zoom in or out pressing the + or - keys on the zoom slider on the left side of the screen. Move the cursor over a location and use the mouse scroll button to zoom in or out on that location. To center and zoom in on a location, double click the location.

I see coordinate positions reported on the map system, can I use these with my GPS?

Answer: The accuracy of these lat/long, utm, or wtm coordinates is unknown. While we have generally found it to be quite good, we do not consider it to be an appropriate tool for, say, collecting lat/long coordinates and incorporating them into a database. These coordinates are generated "on-the-fly" by the application. You must be aware of how your GPS collects, stores and displays data.

Disclaimer

Information pertaining to boat launches and shore fishing sites may be incorrect or incomplete and is subject to change without notice. DNR staff have not verified all boat launch and shore fishing site information. At this time the shore fishing maps only includes sites that were funded and/or developed by the Department of Natural Resources. For other boat launch or shore fishing sites, please contact the county, city, village, or township listed in the information box for conditions.

Contact

For boating and fishing questions
DNR Customer Service Web
608.266.2621

For mapping application questions
DNR Boat Access
608.264.8993