Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Supports four runs of chinook salmon and hundreds of migratory songbirds

Western tanager, photo: Steve Emmons

Wildlife: The riparian habitat along the Sacramento River is critically important for fish, migratory birds, plants, and river system health. It provides shelter for many songbirds and water-associated animals, including the river otter, turtles, beaver, American pelicans, ospreys, and bank swallows.

Habitat: Currently, the Refuge is composed of 27 units (properties) along a 77-mile stretch of the Sacramento River between Red Bluff and Princeton. Refuge lands comprise 11,739 acres of riparian habitat, wetlands, uplands, and intensively managed walnut, almond, and prune orchards.

Notice: Mountain Lions have been sighted on the Sacramento River NWR units. Immediately report all encounters or attacks by calling the California Department of Fish and Game's (CDGF) 24-hour dispatch center (916) 445-0045 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Sacramento NWR Complex at (530) 934-280l. For further information on Mountain Lions, visit CDGF's Web page - Mountain Lions in California.

When visiting the Refuge, it is highly recommeded to:

• Do not hike alone. Go in groups, with adults supervising children.
• Keep children close to you. Animals seem especially drawn to children; keep children within sight at all times.
• Do not approach a lion. Most mountains lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Do not run from a lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase.
• Do not crouch down or bed over. A human standing does not resemble a mountain lion's natural prey.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open jacket if wearing one. Pick up small children. Wave arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.
• Fight back if attacked. Mountain lions usually try to bite the head or neck; try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

Aerial view of the meandering Sacramento River during
the summer bordered by lush riparian forests, photo: USFWS

Sacramento River NWR Unit Maps and Information: The units on Sacramento River Refuge that are open to public access offer wildlife viewing, photography, interpretation, and educational opportunities. In addition, hunting and fishing is allowed on selected units of the Refuge. As in the past, gravel bars will continue to be open for hunting and fishing. Refer to the Refuge specific hunting and fishing regulations (pdf, 18 KB) and Refuge hunting season dates and bag limits (pdf, 33 KB) for details.

Additional acreage open to the public on Sacramento River NWR!!
In March of 2009, River Partners completed the third year of riparian restoration activities on two units of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) totaling over 400 acres of restored habitat. As a result of these restoration projects, three additional Refuge units of the Sacramento River NWR, comprising over 600 acres, are open for "big six" public uses including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, interpretation and environmental education, beginning on Saturday, March 28th. Additional acreage is open on the LaBarranca Unit (pdf, 2.1 MB). The Service also opened Drumheller North and Drumheller Slough Units (635 KB).

Visitor services maps offer general unit locations and current public use. The maps divide the Refuge into four sections north to south, along a 77-mile stretch of the Sacramento River: North (pdf, 1.2 MB), North Central (pdf, 1.1 MB), South Central (pdf, 1.1 MB) and South (pdf, 834 KB).

Refuge unit maps give more detailed unit locations and regulations. When the maps state "see Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations on reverse", please use this Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations link:

North: LaBarranca, Blackberry and Todd Island (pdf, 2.1 MB), Mooney and Ohm (pdf, 1.8 MB), Flynn (pdf, 1.7 MB), and Heron Island (pdf, 1.7 MB)
North Central: Rio Vista (pdf, 2 MB) and Foster Island (pdf, 1.1 MB)
South Central: Pine Creek (pdf, 1.8 MB), Capay and Phelan Island (pdf, 2.5 MB), Jacinto and Dead Man's Reach (pdf, 1.7 MB), Ord Bend (pdf, 1.8 MB), and South Ord (pdf, 1.8 MB)
South: Llano Seco Island 1 and 2 (pdf, 2.6 MB), Sul Norte (pdf, 2.8 MB), Packer (pdf, 2.8 MB), and Afton, Drumheller North and Drumheller Slough (pdf, 635 KB)

North Central Valley WMA - Llano Seco Unit: (pdf, 227 KB)
The Llano Seco Unit has two multi-level viewing platforms, interpretive kiosk, two-thirds of a mile walking trail, and restroom offer opportunities for wildlife observation, education/interpretation, and photography. Wildlife viewing is best from mid-November through January with good viewing of sandhill cranes in fall. The primary habitat is seasonal wetlands and grasslands.

Directions to Llano Seco Unit: From Highway 99E in Gridley travel north approximately nine miles, turn west on Highway 162 and travel approximately 12 miles to Road Z. Turn north and travel approximately 11 miles to the Unit entrance. From Chico, take Dayton Road south approximately five miles, turn west onto Ord Ferry Road. Continue west approximately three miles, turn south onto Seven-mile Lane. Travel two miles to the Unit entrance.