Plum Creek: Gold Prospecting in Pierce County, Wisconsin

Updated June 2026

Plum Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Pierce County, Wisconsin. Reported finds include diamond, gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Pierce County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: State Highway 72
Coordinates: 44.72978, -92.23726

Geology at Plum Creek

This spot sits on ground mapped as Rock Elm shale that formed roughly 470 to 460 million years ago. In sedimentary country like this, any placer gold is typically recycled from older gravels, concentrating again in modern stream beds.

Mapped unit: Rock Elm shale
Age: 470–460 Ma (Middle Ordovician)
Elevation: 1,030 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Plum Creek

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 21°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 2°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ELLSWORTH 1E station (11 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Plum Creek

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Plum Creek.

Across the state line from Plum Creek

Plum Creek is close enough to the Wisconsin border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Plum Creek FAQ

Where is Plum Creek?+

Plum Creek is in Pierce County, Wisconsin, at 44.72978, -92.23726. Nearest road: State Highway 72.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Plum Creek?+

Plum Creek is reported to produce Diamond, Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Plum Creek?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Plum Creek?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Plum Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Plum Creek are April to October.

How do I get to Plum Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.72978, -92.23726 in Google Maps. The nearest road is State Highway 72.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

See all 77 Wisconsin spots →

Open Plum Creek on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.