Hunting and Fishing Property for sale in Richland County, Wisconsin
If youve ever dreamed of owning a manageable-yet-mighty slice of Driftless bluff countrywhere world-class trout water meets trophy deer habitatthis 34+/- acre recreational property near Viola, WI deserves your full attention. Set in the rugged folds of Richland County just off Elk Creek Road, the tract combines mature hardwoods, dramatic ridge country, and immediate proximity to one of Southwest Wisconsins most celebrated Class 1 Trout Streams: Elk Creek.
Quick Property Snapshot
Acreage: 34+/- wooded acres in Richland County, WI.
Location: Near Viola; frontage/approach off Elk Creek Road in the Driftless Region.
Nearby Fishery: Directly across from legendary Elk Creek (Class 1 Trout Stream) with DNR access nearby.
Wildlife: Strong populations of trophy whitetail deer & wild turkey.
Topography: Classic bluff country3 primary ridges cascading to a valley floor.
Habitat Features: Mature h...
Habitat Features: Mature hardwoods (including towering oaks), apple trees, natural funnels & bedding cover.
Trail System: Existing internal trail (needs TLC) reach ridge tops & treestand sites.
Food Source: Borders a large agricultural fieldhigh-value destination food for local deer.
Neighborhood: Surrounded by large private tracts practicing Quality Deer Management.
Extras: High-quality public hunting land a short drive away for added flexibility.
Setting & Approach
Arrive on Elk Creek Road and you immediately feel the transition from everyday to extraordinary. Steep, timbered ridges rise sharply from the valley, framing the property in classic Driftless drama. Access leads into the wooded base where interior trails begin their climb. With a little TLC, you can quickly reopen the system for easier gear hauling, stand hanging, habitat work, or quiet slip-in access during the rut.
Elk Creek: Front-Row Access to a Renowned Trout Fishery
Just steps across the road runs Elk Creek, widely admired by anglers for its cold, clear flow and robust brown and brook trout populations. Classified as a Class 1 Trout Stream, Elk Creek supports natural reproduction and draws fishermen from across the country. Even betterthe property sits within easy reach of a DNR public access point, giving you convenient entry to the water. Want a local advantage? The neighbor across the road is known regionally as a skilled trout fisherman and may be available for private guidingask about arranging a day on the water.
Habitat That Hunts Big
At 34+/- acres, this parcel punches well above its weight thanks to topography and habitat diversity. Three primary ridges create natural travel routes, bedding knobs, and wind-based stand options. The middle ridge features a broad, flat crownideal for food plots, a ground blind village, or an off-grid camp pad (buyer to verify buildability with county & township zoning). Mature oak timber and a small apple orchard provide hard and soft mast attraction. Dense cover pockets on slope shoulders and benches give deer daytime security while still presenting ambush-friendly edge lines.
Deer trails crisscross the property from valley bottom to ridge top, revealing well-used crossings and natural pinch points. Layer a few stand sets to play wind, thermals, and seasonal movement, and youre ready for archery opener through late-season.
Food & Movement: Bordering Ag Fields
The parcel backs against a large agricultural fieldan immediate draw for evening deer movement. Position stands along staging cover or interior trails to intercept bucks swinging off the crops at first light or staging before dark. Combined with mast and cover inside the timber, youve got a classic bedding-to-feed pattern thats easy to hunt smart.
Quality Deer Neighborhood & Added Public-Land Option
Surrounding landowners manage large, privately held tracts with a Quality Deer Management (QDM) mindset, helping cultivate older age-class bucks in the area. When youre ready to stretch your legs, a tract of high-quality public hunting land lies just down the road, giving you backup spots for shifting winds, pressure rotation, or bringing friends.
Final Take
Properties in this immediate Elk Creek corridor rarely hit the open marketand those offering direct, front-row proximity to a famed trout fishery are even harder to come by. Add in diverse ridge structure, mast timber, agricultural adjacency, and a serious deer neighborhood, and this 34+/- acre tract becomes a standout opportunity for the hunter-angler who wants maximum recreation in a manageable footprint.
Schedule your showingwalk the ridges, glass the ag edge, drop a line in Elk Creekand see why this Driftless gem hunts and fishes far bigger than its acreage. Contact Joe Nawrot or Brandon Wikman. For more info contact Wisconsin Land Specialist, Joe Nawrot at 608.381.1627 or Brandon Wikman at 608.403.6003
Joe Nawrot and Brandon Wikman are Wisconsins #1 Ranked Listing and Selling Agents of United Country Real Estate working for the Midwests #1 Ranked United Country Real Estate Office.