Facility Rules and Policies

  • Plum Island is open for hiking and wildlife observation Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Daylight hours only. Plum Island coordinates: 85 56' 52.073"W 45 18' 46.55"N.
  • Hog Island is closed to all public use to protect colonial nesting birds
  • Pilot Island is closed to all public use to protect colonial nesting birds
  • St. Martin Island is currently closed to all public use
  • Detroit Island Unit includes 148 acres of Detroit Island open for public access including deer hunting. The remainder of the island is privately owned. The parcel is located on the west shoreline at coordinates: N 45° 18’ 17.7” W 086° 54’ 11.6”.
  • Rocky Island is closed to all public use to protect colonial nesting birds
General Public Use Regulations
  • Plum Island and refuge lands on Detroit Island are open during daylight hours from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day for hiking, wildlife observation and photography.
  • At Plum Island, activity is only allowed on designated mowed trails and beach areas.
  • Travel is restricted to foot travel only
  • The use of boot brush stations at access points is mandatory to prevent the spread of invasive species invasive species
    An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

    Learn more about invasive species
  • Kayaks, canoes, boats and dinghies must use designated landing areas to decrease the spread of invasive species. See the map for location details.
  • Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and pet waste picked up and removed
Prohibited on Plum Island
  • Bikes and motorized forms of transportation
  • Alcohol
  • Fireworks, camping, campfires, drones and geocaches
  • Feeding or harassing wildlife
  • Collection of plants, berries, seeds, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, antlers or historical or archaeological artifacts
  • Rule of thumb: If it was found there, it must stay there
Other Information
  • Access to the islands can be limited by weather and lake conditions
  • Plum Island can only be reached by private boat or by commercial operators. Commercial operators are provided docking space, but private boats must dock on the outside of the breakwater.
  • Restrooms are available on Plum Island, but drinking water and garbage cans are not available
  • Cellular service is limited
  • Pilot, Hog and Rocky Islands (Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge) and Spider and Gravel Islands (Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge) are closed to public access for use by colonial nesting birds. Please maintain 1/4 mile distance from these islands to minimize disturbance to the birds, their nests, and their young.
  • St. Martin Island is also currently closed to public access
Fishing

Plum Island

  • Open to fishing along the shoreline in accordance with all Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations
  • Fishing from the dock or other structures is prohibited
Hunting

Plum Island

  • Hunting of white-tailed deer is allowed by permit only. Annually, the Service works with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to implement a nuisance deer control program on Plum Island. Controlling the deer on Plum Island will have a positive impact on forest regeneration.
  • Hunting access is one hour before daylight to one hour after daylight on refuge lands

Detroit Island Green Bay Refuge Parcel

  • The Detroit Island parcel (148 acres) is open to the public for deer hunting in accordance with all Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations
  • Hunting access is one hour before daylight to one hour after daylight on refuge lands