ALWAYS CHECK OPEN AREA STATUS (GAME LINE) EACH TIME YOU ARE ENTERING FORT MCCOY LAKES OR TRAINING AREAS. YOU CAN ACCESS THE AREA OPEN LIST FROM THE ISPORTSMAN HOME PAGE OR BY CALLING (866) 277-1597 AND SELECTING OPTION #2.
**FORT MCCOY NATURAL RESOURCES & PERMIT SALES OFFICE NEW PHONE NUMBER**
(502) 898-3337
ALERTS
FORT MCCOY MAIN GATE CLOSURE 1 MARCH - 31 MAY 2026
Please be advised that due to an upcoming construction project, the Fort McCoy Main Gate will be temporarily closed from Sunday, 01 March – 31 May 2026. During this period, all traffic will be redirected to Gate 20.
- Visitor and Gate Information: Visitor Control Center (VCC): The VCC will remain open during normal business hours, offering its full range of services.
- Gate 20: Services at Gate 20 will be limited. Personnel will only be able to obtain a single 3-day pass as a one-time option upon entry.
- Guest and Visitor Access: For guests or visitors requiring recurring access during the Main Gate closure, please ensure they obtain the necessary pass from the VCC.
- Installation Access Card (IAC) Reminder: All personnel are encouraged to review their Installation Access Card (IAC) for its expiration date. If your card is nearing expiration, please visit the VCC to obtain a new one. For any questions or additional information, please contact the VCC at 502-898-2357 or 502-898-4280.
- Anticipated Delays at Gate 20: Please be advised that all personnel should anticipate significant delays when entering and exiting the installation during peak traffic hours, from 0500 to 0800 and 1500 to 1800.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this period.
CANTONMENT AREA 30 & 31 TO BE CLOSED 15 FEB - 10 MAY TO ALL ACTIVITIES
Due to bridge construction activities; Cantonment Areas 30 and 31 including the portions of Tarr Creek and Sparta Creek within Cantonment Areas 30 and 31 will be closed to all recreational and fishing activities from 15 FEB – 10 MAY. If construction activities take longer than the planned, completion on 10 MAY, the closure will be extended. Cantonment Areas 30 and 31 will be shown as closed on the Game Line during construction. Watch the Fort McCoy iSportsman Alerts page for any updates.
NEWS
Fort McCoy Early Inland Trout Season
- 2026 Catch & Release Season - the early inland streams catch and release season for trout will open on Jan. 3, 2026 and run until May 1, 2026.
- The daily bag limit and possession limit for early trout season is zero.
- Lakes: Unless otherwise posted, fishing, including trout, is permitted on all lakes and ponds from the first Saturday in May through the first Sunday in March. The North Flowage and Lost Lake are open for harvesting panfish all year, and the catch and release largemouth bass season.
- Streams: Fishing on streams is permitted from the first Saturday in May through October 15. Fort McCoy streams will be open for the early catch and release trout season as explained in the current Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulation.
- Night fishing is allowed, but it is the responsibility of the angler to check the Open Areas (Game Line) listing, after midnight, to make sure the lake or training area is open the following day.
- Free fishing weekends coincide with the State of Wisconsin Free Fishing dates June 6-7, 2026.
- Lakes: If a lake is listed as open on the Open Areas (Game Line), but is within a closed training area, anglers can utilize the marginal area around the lake (i.e., mowed area or 50 feet from shore if the lake perimeter is not mowed) that will not conflict with any military training. Access to the lakes within closed training areas must be by the main access road(s). Anglers are responsible for knowing if the lakes are closed due to training, this can be checked on the iSportsman Open Areas (Game Line) listing.
- Streams: If a training area is shown as a Restricted Area on the Fishing Map (refer to appendix E), then the Open Areas (Game Line) listing must be followed and entry into that area is prohibited if the training area is closed. If a training area does NOT have a Restricted Area designation on the Fishing Map (refer to appendix E) but the Open Areas (Game Line) listing shows that training area as closed, anglers can still access and fish those streams; but must do so by staying within the stream corridor/floodplain, avoiding military training, and accessing those streams at main road crossings. An angler is not allowed to walk/drive through a closed training area to access streams. Parking of vehicles to access those streams should occur at main road/stream crossings. Silver Creek has a designated parking area along the main road in B-2, refer to the Fishing Map in appendix E.
- Ice Fishing: Anglers may fish through the ice on all lakes/ponds at their own risk. Ice shanties can be used on lakes/ponds but must be removed at the end of each day. Operation of vehicles, to include those listed in paragraph 2-1d, on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers or streams is prohibited.
Review all Fort McCoy Rules and Regulations prior to participating in a recreational activity on Fort McCoy. An online copy of Regulation 420-29 is available in the menu bar. Hard copies of the regulations can be located at the Permit Sales Office, Pine View Campground, and the Hunter Information Point.
2026 Spring Turkey Permit Applications
2026 Fort McCoy Spring Turkey Permit Applications will be available online through your iSportsman account 1 January 2026. Deadline to have online permit applications submitted is 1 March, 2026. There is no cost to apply.
Go to the Spring Turkey tab in the iSportsman menu for additional information and season structure.
Current 2025 Harvest Results:
REAL ID IS NOW REQUIRED TO ACCESS THE CANTONMENT AREA:
- IF COMING TO FORT MCCOY PERMIT SALES OFFICE TO PURCHASE YOUR FORT MCCOY HUNTING, FISHING, OR TRAPPING PERMITS AND YOU ARE ENTERING THROUGH THE MAIN GATE OR GATE 20 TO OBTAIN A PASS, THE REAL ID ACT IS ENFORCED.
- If you would like more information on the REAL ID Act, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id, or for Wisconsin visit https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/how-to-apply/realid.aspx.