Hunting at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

A Refuge Recreation Pass is required for all hunting on the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Waterfowl:

Hunting for ducks and geese will begin one half hour before sunrise and end at 1:00 p.m. each day.
Hunting season entry begins at 4:30 a.m.
Lineup may not start before midnight, except on opening weekend when it may begin at 6:00 p.m.
Wetland Unit 1A (Oct. 4 – end of season)
Hunting is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Boat-in and walk-in access permitted.
Wetland Unit 1B (Oct. 4 – Dec. 1)
Hunting is available by lottery for up to 10 parties, with each party limited to 4 hunters and 1 motorboat. Boat-in and walk-in access permitted.
Fry’s Island Units (Oct. 4 – Dec. 1)
Hunting is available by lottery for up to 6 parties (1 party per lot). Boat-in and walk-in access permitted.
Wetland Units 1B and Fry’s Island (Dec. 2 – end of season)
Both units become free roam on a first-come, first-served basis, with the same party restrictions as above.
All Other Dry and Flooded Field Hunt Areas
All other hunt areas shown on the hunt map will operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no daily drawing.
Hunters may drive into fields to set up but must exit before shooting time, which follows state shooting schedules.
For more details on the waterfowl season, please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Access to Unit 1B and Fry’s Island Units A–F will be managed through an online lottery on the RecAccess website.
Unit 1B: open to 10 parties/day.
Fry’s Island: open to 6 parties/day.
Season: October 4 – December 1, with a single draw held for each day.
Application Rules
All parties must apply as a group.
A Group Leader must enter all members at time of application.
No changes allowed after payment.
If one member is selected, the entire group is selected.
Group Leaders need each member’s RecAccess ID (RAID #) and name.
An instructional video will be available on the RecAccess website.
Lottery Schedule
Opens: 9:00 a.m., 3 days before the hunt.
Closes: 2:00 p.m., 2 days before the hunt.
Hunters may apply for up to two hunt days at a time.
Winners chosen at random; results emailed and posted on RecAccess by 5:00 p.m., 2 days before the hunt.

Special Hunt Dates: (Ducks and Geese)
Youth Waterfowl Hunt - September 20 & 21 Veteran and Active Military – January 17 & 18

Note: There is no hunting allowed on Tule Lake during the Late White and White-fronted geese season.

Pheasant:

Pheasant hunting will be permitted within the established hunt area at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, from 8:00 a.m. to sunset daily.
For more details on the pheasant season, please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website

Additional Information:

View Refuge Hunt Area Maps

Laws, rules, and regulations