Camping
Announcements
- Permits are available online for camping, gathering, ricing, deer, bear, small game, turkey, and migratory bird hunting during and ~ 2 weeks prior to their opening dates. If you already have a NAGFA account set up, you can issue your own permits. Detailed instructions for issuing permits online can be found here. If you have not previously been issued an off-reservation permit, you will need to contact your registration station or conservation law enforcement office to set up an account.
- Updated Treaty Hunting Regulation Summary for the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories in Wisconsin and Minnesota is available here.
- Updated Model Off-Reservation Conservation Code for the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories in Wisconsin is available here.
- Commission Order No. 2024-03 Tribal Gathering on State Lands - Wisconsin 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territory is available here.
- Hand harvest, handheld nets, and electronic calls are not permissible methods of migratory bird harvest in 2024. GLIFWC staff continue to work with US Fish and Wildlife Service to implement a longer term agreement to allow tribal members to utilize these hunting methods in future seasons.
- The Swan Season is currently OPEN
Swan season will close if 50 trumpeter swans are harvested. See migratory bird harvest regulations for more information. - Trumpeter Swan Harvest to Date: 6
How To Get Off-Reservation Treaty Harvest Permits
Off-reservation treaty harvest permits are required for hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering activities in the ceded territories. Permits can be obtained at your tribal registration station or conservation office. A tribal ID from one of GLIFWC’s member tribes is required to be issued a permit for off-reservation treaty hunting, trapping, fishing or gathering in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Permits are also available online for some activities after establishing an online account at a tribal registration station or conservation office.
Where Can I Exercise My Treaty Rights?
In general, off-reservation treaty rights may be exercised on publicly accessible lands within the ceded territory. An interactive map of the ceded territory can be accessed here:
Useful PDF Documents:
- Ceded Territory GIS Version 2.1 - includes numbered boundary segments with map and associated table including legal, map and treaty language reference information.
- Guide to the Southern Boundary of the Wisconsin portion of the 1837 & 1842 Ceded Territories - includes maps and descriptions of the features used to define the southern boundary.
Tagging and Registration
| SPECIES | TAGGING REQUIREMENTS | REGISTRATION |
|---|---|---|
| ELK | You must have a carcass tag in your possession to hunt elk. Attach the carcass tag immediatley upon harvest. | Elk must be registered in person at a tribal registration station or by a GLIFWC warden by 5 pm on the day after harvest. |
| DEER | You must have a deer or bear stamp on your hunting license to hunt deer or bear. A carcass tag is not required, however, if you leave a carcass unattended in the field, attach a tag to the carcass with your NAGFA ID and Stamp#. | Registration can be via phone, online, or in person at a tribal registration station or by a GLIFWC warden. Deadlines: in-person, by 5 pm on the third working day after harvest; phone/online/GLIFWC warden, by 5 pm the day after harvest. A registration tag is not required, however, if you leave the carcass with a third party, attach a tag to the carcass with your NAGFA ID, Stamp# and Harvest Report#. |
| BEAR | ||
| BOBCAT | You must have a carcass tag in your possession to harvest bobcat, otter, fisher, and marten. Attach the carcass tag immediatley upon harvest. CITES tags are required for bobcat and otter if the pelts will be sold. CITES tags can be obtained from a GLIFWC warden. |
Bobcat, otter, fisher, and marten must be registered in person at a tribal registration station or by a GLIFWC warden by 5 pm on the third working day after harvest. |
| OTTER | ||
| FISHER | ||
| MARTEN | ||
| TURKEY | You must have a turkey stamp on your hunting license to hunt turkey. | Turkey must be registered by 5 pm on the third working day after harvest. Registration can be via phone, online, or in person at a tribal registration station or by a GLIFWC warden. |
| SWAN | You must have a swan stamp on your hunting license to hunt swans. | All swans must be registered in person by presenting a fully feathered carcass to a tribal registration station or GLIFWC warden within 48 hours of harvest. |
| CRANE | You must have a sandhill crane stamp on your hunting license to hunt sandhill cranes. | Cranes must be registered within 48 hours of harvest. Registration can be via phone, online, or in person at a tribal registration station or by a GLIFWC warden. |
- Phone Registration: 844-234-5439
- Online Registration: glifwc.nagfa.net/online/
Shooting Hours
Local sunrise and sunset times can be determined here.
| SPECIES | SHOOTING HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
| START | END | |
| Bear | 30 minutes before sunrise | 20 minutes after sunset |
| Deer | ||
| Elk | ||
| Bobcat | ||
| Beaver | ||
| Bobwhite Quail | ||
| Hungarian Partridge | ||
| Pheasant | ||
| Ruffed Grouse | ||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | ||
| Turkey | Spring: sunset; Fall: 20 minutes after sunset | |
| Coyote | 24 hours per day* *During the Wisconsin regular firearm deer season: 30 minutes before sunrise - 20 minutes after sunset |
|
| Cottontail Rabbit | ||
| Raccoon | ||
| Red Fox | ||
| Gray Fox | ||
| Red, Gray, Fox Squirrel | ||
| Snowshoe Hare | ||
| Unprotected Species | ||
| Night Hunting Deer | 1 hour after sunset | 1 hour before sunrise |
Local sunrise and sunset times can be determined here.
| SPECIES | SHOOTING HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
| START | END | |
| Bear | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset |
| Deer | ||
| Badger | ||
| Bobcat | ||
| Beaver | ||
| Bobwhite Quail | ||
| Coyote | ||
| Cottontail Rabbit | ||
| Hungarian Partridge | ||
| Mink | ||
| Muskrat | ||
| Pheasant | ||
| Red, Gray, Fox Squirrel | ||
| Ruffed Grouse | ||
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | ||
| Snowshoe Hare | ||
| Turkey | ||
| Raccoon | 24 hours per day* *During the Minnesota regular firearm deer season: 30 minutes before sunrise - 30 minutes after sunset |
|
| Red Fox | ||
| Gray Fox | ||
| Unprotected Species | ||
| Night Hunting Deer | 30 minutes after sunset | 30 minutes before sunrise |
| Night Hunting Bear | ||
Local sunrise and sunset times can be determined here.
| AREA | SHOOTING HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
| START | END | |
| 1837/1842 Ceded Territory | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset |
| 1836 Ceded Territory | ||
| 1837/1842 Ceded Territory HAND HARVEST METHODS | 24 hours per day | |
Fee Exempt Campgrounds
NOTE: click icons for campground name.
Fee Exempt Campground
| Campground | Length-of-Stay Limits | In Season Status (Closed or Reduced Services) | Opening Date | Concessionaires (Expiration Date) | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Anvil Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Bagley Rapids | Waived | No | No | ||
| Bear Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Beaver Lake | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Birch Grove | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Black Lake | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Boot Lake | 14 (6/15-8/15) | No | No | ||
| Boulder Lake | 14 (6/15-8/15) | No | Yes | ||
| Brule River | Waived | Temporarily Closed | No | No | |
| Chipmunk Rapids | Waived | No | No | ||
| Chippewa | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Day Lake | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| East Twin | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Eastwood | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Emily Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Franklin Lake | 14 (6/15-8/15) | No | Yes | ||
| Franklin Lake | 14 (6/15-8/15) | No | Yes | ||
| Horseshoe Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Kathryn Lake | Waived | Temporarily Closed | No | No | |
| Kentuck Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Lac Vieux Desert | 14 | May 5 | No | No | |
| Lake Three | Waived | Temporarily Closed | No | No | |
| Laura Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Laurel Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Lost Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Luna-White Deer | 14 (6/15-8/15) | No | No | ||
| Mineral Lake | Waived | Temporarily Closed | No | No | |
| Moose Lake | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Morgan Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Namekagon | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| North Twin Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Perch Lake | |||||
| Perch Lake North | 14 | No | No | ||
| Perch Lake South | 14 | No | No | ||
| Picnic Point | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Pine Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Richardson Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Sailor Lake | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Sevenmile Lake | Waived | Temporarily Closed | No | No | |
| Smith Rapids | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Spearhead Point | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Spectacle Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Stevens Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Stockfarm Bridge | Waived | No | No | ||
| Twin Lakes | Waived | No | Yes | ||
| Two Lakes | 14 (6/15-8/15) | Closed (by 10/15) out of service for camping, open to day use at boat landings 2/1-3/30 | Yes | Yes | |
| Wabasso Lake | Waived | No | No | ||
| Wanoka | 14 | No | No | ||
| West Point | Waived | No | No | ||
| Windsor Dam | Waived | Temporarily Closed | No | No |
NOTES:
COLUMN 1 – CAMPGROUNDS
Column 1 list attempts to list all campgrounds found on Forest Service lands that are
addressed by the Exemption Agreement and Implementation Plan. As used in this
document, “campground” means those campgrounds and campsites where a fee would
otherwise have to be paid by the general public to spend the night and where some
process, such as registration, is used to identify the camper and the specific campsite that
will be used.
At this time, Column 1 includes some campgrounds that are not fee-exempt for tribal
members. These are included in the interest of providing complete information. As
campgrounds change status, Column 1 will be amended.
COLUMN 2 – LENGTH-OF-STAY LIMITATIONS
Column 2 deals with how long tribal members may camp at a particular site. Under
general Forest Service rules, people are not permitted to remain in a campsite for more
than two weeks or 16 days, depending on the particular National Forest. For tribal
members camping while exercising their treaty rights, these length-of-stay restrictions do
not apply for most campgrounds. The term “waived” is used in Column 2 where there
are no length-of-stay restrictions for tribal members.
Where the Tribes have agreed, some campgrounds have a length-of-stay restriction
during the period June 15 through August 15, the peak tourist season. Column 2 shows
these the length-of-stay restrictions in number of days and the dates within which these
restrictions apply in parentheses.
Tribal members must comply with the existing length-of-stay restrictions in campgrounds
operated by concessionaires that presently are not fee-exempt. These length-of-stay
restrictions apply at all times and are listed in Column 2 in number of day.
COLUMN 3 – IN SEASON STATUS (CLOSED OR REDUCED SERVICES)
Column 3 identified those campgrounds that are either closed for camping or have reduced services. If blank, the campground is in normal operation.
COLUMN 4 – OPENING DATE
Column 4 identifies the date the campground opens for the season.
COLUMN 5 – CONCESSIONAIRES (EXPIRATION DATES)
Column 5 identifies those campgrounds that are operated by concessionaires under contract with the Forest Service. The year the contracts are up for renewal is listed in the parentheses for those campgrounds that currently do not have fee or length-of-stay exemptions.
COLUMN 6 – RESERVATIONS
Column 6 identified with a “yes” are campgrounds that have campsites that are available for reservations.
NOTES:
COLUMN 1 – CAMPGROUNDS
Column 1 list attempts to list all campgrounds found on Forest Service lands that are
addressed by the Exemption Agreement and Implementation Plan. As used in this
document, “campground” means those campgrounds and campsites where a fee would
otherwise have to be paid by the general public to spend the night and where some
process, such as registration, is used to identify the camper and the specific campsite that
will be used.
At this time, Column 1 includes some campgrounds that are not fee-exempt for tribal
members. These are included in the interest of providing complete information. As
campgrounds change status, Column 1 will be amended.
COLUMN 2 – LENGTH-OF-STAY LIMITATIONS
Column 2 deals with how long tribal members may camp at a particular site. Under
general Forest Service rules, people are not permitted to remain in a campsite for more
than two weeks or 16 days, depending on the particular National Forest. For tribal
members camping while exercising their treaty rights, these length-of-stay restrictions do
not apply for most campgrounds. The term “waived” is used in Column 2 where there
are no length-of-stay restrictions for tribal members.
Where the Tribes have agreed, some campgrounds have a length-of-stay restriction
during the period June 15 through August 15, the peak tourist season. Column 2 shows
these the length-of-stay restrictions in number of days and the dates within which these
restrictions apply in parentheses.
Tribal members must comply with the existing length-of-stay restrictions in campgrounds
operated by concessionaires that presently are not fee-exempt. These length-of-stay
restrictions apply at all times and are listed in Column 2 in number of day.
COLUMN 3 – IN SEASON STATUS (CLOSED OR REDUCED SERVICES)
Column 3 identified those campgrounds that are either closed for camping or have reduced services. If blank, the campground is in normal operation.
COLUMN 4 – OPENING DATE
Column 4 identifies the date the campground opens for the season.
COLUMN 5 – CONCESSIONAIRES (EXPIRATION DATES)
Column 5 identifies those campgrounds that are operated by concessionaires under contract with the Forest Service. The year the contracts are up for renewal is listed in the parentheses for those campgrounds that currently do not have fee or length-of-stay exemptions.
COLUMN 6 – RESERVATIONS
Column 6 identified with a “yes” are campgrounds that have campsites that are available for reservations.
NOTES:
COLUMN 1 – CAMPGROUNDS
Column 1 list attempts to list all campgrounds found on Forest Service lands that are
addressed by the Exemption Agreement and Implementation Plan. As used in this
document, “campground” means those campgrounds and campsites where a fee would
otherwise have to be paid by the general public to spend the night and where some
process, such as registration, is used to identify the camper and the specific campsite that
will be used.
At this time, Column 1 includes some campgrounds that are not fee-exempt for tribal
members. These are included in the interest of providing complete information. As
campgrounds change status, Column 1 will be amended.
COLUMN 2 – LENGTH-OF-STAY LIMITATIONS
Column 2 deals with how long tribal members may camp at a particular site. Under
general Forest Service rules, people are not permitted to remain in a campsite for more
than two weeks or 16 days, depending on the particular National Forest. For tribal
members camping while exercising their treaty rights, these length-of-stay restrictions do
not apply for most campgrounds. The term “waived” is used in Column 2 where there
are no length-of-stay restrictions for tribal members.
Where the Tribes have agreed, some campgrounds have a length-of-stay restriction
during the period June 15 through August 15, the peak tourist season. Column 2 shows
these the length-of-stay restrictions in number of days and the dates within which these
restrictions apply in parentheses.
Tribal members must comply with the existing length-of-stay restrictions in campgrounds
operated by concessionaires that presently are not fee-exempt. These length-of-stay
restrictions apply at all times and are listed in Column 2 in number of day.
COLUMN 3 – IN SEASON STATUS (CLOSED OR REDUCED SERVICES)
Column 3 identified those campgrounds that are either closed for camping or have reduced services. If blank, the campground is in normal operation.
COLUMN 4 – OPENING DATE
Column 4 identifies the date the campground opens for the season.
COLUMN 5 – CONCESSIONAIRES (EXPIRATION DATES)
Column 5 identifies those campgrounds that are operated by concessionaires under contract with the Forest Service. The year the contracts are up for renewal is listed in the parentheses for those campgrounds that currently do not have fee or length-of-stay exemptions.
COLUMN 6 – RESERVATIONS
Column 6 identified with a “yes” are campgrounds that have campsites that are available for reservations.
| Campground | Length-of-Stay Limits | In Season Status (Closed or Reduced Services) | Opening Date | Consessionaires (Expiration Date) | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Track Campground | 14 | Yes | No | ||
| Benton Lake Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Bowman Bridge Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Gleason's Landing Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Hemlock Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | No | ||
| Highbanks Campground | 14 | Yes | No | ||
| Kneff Lake Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | No | ||
| Lake Michigan Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Lake Michigan Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Nichols Lake South Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Old Grade Campground | 14 | Yes | No | ||
| Peterson Bridge Campground | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Pine Lake Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | No | ||
| Pines Point Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Ravine Campground | Waived | No | No | ||
| Sand Lake Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Sand Lake Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Seaton Creek Recreation Area | 14 | Yes | Yes | ||
| Timber Creek Recreation Area | Waived | No | No |
NOTES:
COLUMN 1 – CAMPGROUNDS
Column 1 list attempts to list all campgrounds found on Forest Service lands that are
addressed by the Exemption Agreement and Implementation Plan. As used in this
document, “campground” means those campgrounds and campsites where a fee would
otherwise have to be paid by the general public to spend the night and where some
process, such as registration, is used to identify the camper and the specific campsite that
will be used.
At this time, Column 1 includes some campgrounds that are not fee-exempt for tribal
members. These are included in the interest of providing complete information. As
campgrounds change status, Column 1 will be amended.
COLUMN 2 – LENGTH-OF-STAY LIMITATIONS
Column 2 deals with how long tribal members may camp at a particular site. Under
general Forest Service rules, people are not permitted to remain in a campsite for more
than two weeks or 16 days, depending on the particular National Forest. For tribal
members camping while exercising their treaty rights, these length-of-stay restrictions do
not apply for most campgrounds. The term “waived” is used in Column 2 where there
are no length-of-stay restrictions for tribal members.
Where the Tribes have agreed, some campgrounds have a length-of-stay restriction
during the period June 15 through August 15, the peak tourist season. Column 2 shows
these the length-of-stay restrictions in number of days and the dates within which these
restrictions apply in parentheses.
Tribal members must comply with the existing length-of-stay restrictions in campgrounds
operated by concessionaires that presently are not fee-exempt. These length-of-stay
restrictions apply at all times and are listed in Column 2 in number of day.
COLUMN 3 – IN SEASON STATUS (CLOSED OR REDUCED SERVICES)
Column 3 identified those campgrounds that are either closed for camping or have reduced services. If blank, the campground is in normal operation.
COLUMN 4 – OPENING DATE
Column 4 identifies the date the campground opens for the season.
COLUMN 5 – CONCESSIONAIRES (EXPIRATION DATES)
Column 5 identifies those campgrounds that are operated by concessionaires under contract with the Forest Service. The year the contracts are up for renewal is listed in the parentheses for those campgrounds that currently do not have fee or length-of-stay exemptions.
COLUMN 6 – RESERVATIONS
Column 6 identified with a “yes” are campgrounds that have campsites that are available for reservations.
- Instructions for filling out Forest Service campground fee envelopes
- Instructions For Issuing Online Camping Permits
- Instructions for Self-Issue of Permits Online
- Memorandum Of Understanding Regarding Tribal - USDA-Forest Service Relations On National Forest Lands Within The Territories Ceded In Treaties Of 1836, 1837, And 1842: National Forest Campground Fee And Length Of Stay Restriction Exemption Agreement (Version 2023)
- National Forest Campground Fee And Length Of Stay Restriction Implementation Plan (Version 1.0)
- USFS-Campground Reservation Instructions
