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.
ALERTS
UPDATED 5/4/2026:
CANTONMENT AREA 30 & 31 TO BE CLOSED THROUGH 1 JUNE TO ALL ACTIVITIES
Attention Anglers and Recreationalists: The closure of Cantonment Areas 30 and 31, to include portions of Tarr and Sparta Creeks within the Cantonment Area will be pushed back due to continued maintenance and construction activity. The closure will be extended to 1 JUNE at the earliest.
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 now will be extended to 1 June. Cantonment Areas 30 and 31 will be shown as closed on the OPEN AREAS(Game Line) during construction.
NEWS
5/12/2026
2026 FALL QUOTA HUNT PERMIT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Fort McCoy offers a limited number of permits for hunting & trapping. 
Quota hunt permits are only available through the Fort McCoy online electronic application and drawing process. Submit your free permit application directly through your iSportsman account. (Add permit application to your shopping cart and confirm your checkout in order for application to be submitted into the lottery drawing). There is no cost to submit an online permit application into the lottery drawing.
Permit selection is conducted through a random online drawing following one week after the application deadline date. All applicants are notified of the selection results through the iSportsman system and can check the status of their application through their iSportsman account under the Lottery tab. Individuals approved for a quota permit(s) are provided instructions on how/when to purchase their permit(s). Your awarded Fort McCoy permit may only be purchased through your Fort McCoy iSportsman account.
For more information on permit lotteries and how to apply, go to the menu bar and select Hunting Permit Lotteries.
FORT MCCOY MAIN GATE CLOSURE 1 MARCH - 20 June 2026
Please be advised that due to an upcoming construction project, the Fort McCoy Main Gate will be temporarily closed from Sunday, 01 March – 20 June 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. 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.
2026 Fort McCoy Spring Turkey Permits Issued
All spring turkey permits for each season have been issued. There are no left-over spring turkey permits available at this time.
Go to the Spring Turkey tab in the iSportsman menu for additional information and season structure. Review all rules and regulations prior to hunting on Fort McCoy.
FISHING
New for 2026-2027
In Wisconsin, the General open season for trout (inland streams, springs and spring ponds) now begins on the first Saturday in April at 5:00am (April 4, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026). Fort McCoy streams will be open on the same dates as the Wisconsin inland streams season. This change applies only to streams on Fort McCoy. There are no springs or spring ponds on Fort McCoy.
Fort McCoy lakes/ponds are closed to all fishing activities from the end of the General open season on March 1, 2026 until May 2nd, 2026 at 5:00am (except Lost Lake and North Flowage).
Fort McCoy’s inland stream fishing season coincides with the Wisconsin DNR season dates, and is as follows:
NO SMALL GAME HUNTING
- There is no small Game hunting on Fort McCoy from March 1 - August 31.
Current 2025 Harvest Results:
REAL ID IS 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.
**FORT MCCOY NATURAL RESOURCES & PERMIT SALES OFFICE NEW PHONE NUMBER**
(502) 898-3337