HUNTING CLOSED FOR THE 2022-2023 SEASON ON LOWER KLAMATH & TULE LAKE REFUGES
This closure is a temporary measure to allow waterfowl, and pheasant populations to recover from these unprecedented habitat conditions. We expect hunting to resume on the Tule Lake and Lower Klamath refuges when water returns to the refuges and habitat conditions improve.
For more information please visit: www.facebook.com/KlamathBasinRefuges
Tule Lake Hunt Areas
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in northern Siskiyou and Modoc counties, California, 25 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Waterfowl and pheasant hunting occurs 7 days per week during the California general seasons, however, waterfowl hunting ends every afternoon at 1 pm. Tule Lake hunt areas consist of two large marsh units accessible by boats, spaced-blind fields and free roam hunting areas offering field hunts over harvested grain and smaller marsh units.
NOTE: A Refuge Recreation Pass is required for all hunting on the Tule Lake Refuge. See general regulations for more information. Hunters are required to have all State, Federal and Refuge hunting licenses, stamps, validations and and permits in their possession while hunting.
Tule Lake & Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Conditions 2022
Waterfowl
Ducks are the most commonly hunted species on Tule Lake Refuge and most duck hunting takes place on the large Tule Lake Marsh and the Sump 1B unit. Primary species taken are: mallard, wigeon, teal and shoveler. Goose hunting for Canada, White-fronted, Snow/Ross', and Cackling Canada in the field units ranges from good to fair on Tule Lake Refuge. White-front hunting can be good in the early season as well as a good number of Ross's/Snows in the late season. As with all areas, Tule Lake waterfowl numbers can vary greatly from year to year. Timing of agricultural field flooding changes from year to year and hunters are encouraged to scout prior to driving into fields.
Tule Lake Marsh (Sump 1A): Tule Lake Marsh, also known as Sump 1A, is accessible only by boat; the water is very shallow in the marsh but has many deep sections of silty mud making walk-in access impossible. Hunting for ducks and white-fronted geese can be good in the early season as well as hunting for Canada geese in the late season. This unit is free-roam and has motor boat access from the Hill Road, A-Dike and North Dike boat ramps. Canoe/Kayak style boats may be launched at any point along the dike roads with in the hunt area. Argos, Air-thrust and inboard water thrust (jet) boats are prohibited.
Tule Lake Fields: The Tule Lake field hunting areas are divided into two sections: daily draw space blind fields, and free-roam field areas in the "League of Nations" and the Southwest Sump (south of Sump 1A). The southwest sump hunting area is newly opened to waterfowl hunting and consists of agricultural fields.
Approximately forty five space blinds are available and issued by random drawing each day. Daily Drawings are conducted the afternoon prior to the hunt day at the Refuge Headquarters office located on Hill Road. Visit our Daily Drawings Rules Page for more information
One mobility-impaired field blind is available by reservation only; please contact the Refuge Visitor Center for additional information.
The League of Nations consists of agricultural fields, which can be flooded at any time during the season. This area of the refuge does not require check in, and you may drive into these fields to set up.
Sump 1B: The Sump 1B unit is located at the south east end of the refuge; the eastern portion of this unit is open to waterfowl hunting and can provide good hunting for ducks and white-fronted geese. Sump 1B is accessible by boat or walk-in and is limited to 10 hunting parties per day through a daily draw. Drawings are conducted the afternoon prior to the hunt day at the Refuge Headquarters office located on Hill Road. Visit our Waterfowl Hunting Page for more information
Beginning December 1st through the end of the hunting season, all draw areas are open to free roam hunting; no drawing is required. Note: depending upon the growing season, some of these fields may be not be harvested and thus unavailable early in the hunt season.
Pheasant
Pheasant hunting can be good on the Tule Lake Refuge. The hunting area consists primarily of grain fields and ditch banks covered with natural vegetation, these areas may be intermixed with wetlands depending on water availability. Hunting and sanctuary areas were changed in 2019, there are new opportunities for hunting pheasants. All pheasants on the Refuge are wild birds and can be difficult to hunt, a well trained upland dog is highly. Visit our Pheasant Hunting Page for more information
Special Hunts
Klamath Basin Refuge Complex is pleased to offer several special hunts for the education of our youth. These hunts are held on both the California and Oregon portions of the Complex. Visit our Special Hunt Programs page for more information.
Additional Information
Sanctuary and hunt areas were restructured in 2019. All roads and units to the east of County Road 103 are closed. There will be no driving through these areas, only staff and permitted agricultural operations are allowed.
At some point during the hunting season, some or all of the agricultural fields may be flooded. Please scout your hunting areas prior to driving into the fields. This flooding is to pre-irrigate fields for the next growing season and provide access to feed for waterfowl. Hunters are allowed to drive on the dikes around these units to set out or pick up equipment, hunters in the spaced blind units must park in the designated parking area.