National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in Humboldt County, California, with about 3,927 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 12 mapped hunt units: 8 open under general rules, 1 open with special regulations, and 3 closed, covering about 1,686 huntable acres.

8 open units1 with special regs3 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
12hunt units
1.7Khuntable acres
3.9KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Humboldt Bay NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Humboldt Bay NWR

Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing.

The Humboldt Bay watershed is considered the most important wintering habitat between San Francisco Bay and the Columbia River.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow California regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (12)

Acreage by status
Open: 1,243 (32%)Special regulations: 443 (11%)Closed: 2,243 (57%)1.7Khuntable acres
  • Open1,243 ac 32%
  • Special regulations443 ac 11%
  • Closed2,243 ac 57%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
1,203 ac
Hookton Slough
972 ac
White Slough Open
472 ac
Salmon Creek
443 ac
South Bay Unit
304 ac
Table Bluff
160 ac
Teal Island
140 ac
Eureka Slough
87 ac
White Slough Closed
68 ac
Jacoby Creek
58 ac
Fernstrom-Root Island
15 ac
Hookton Islands
6.4 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Eureka Slough
Show on map · Directions		 Open 87 —
Fernstrom-Root Island
Show on map · Directions		 Open 15 —
Hookton Islands
Show on map · Directions		 Open 6.4 —
Jacoby Creek
Show on map · Directions		 Open 58 —
South Bay Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Open 304 —
Table Bluff
Show on map · Directions		 Open 160 —
Teal Island
Show on map · Directions		 Open 140 —
White Slough Open
Show on map · Directions		 Open 472 —
Salmon Creek
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 443 —
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 1,203 —
Hookton Slough
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 972 —
White Slough Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 68 —

Humboldt Bay NWR by the numbers

With about 1,686 huntable acres, Humboldt Bay NWR ranks #14 of 21 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in California and #336 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 43% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is White Slough Open (472 acres), while the smallest, Hookton Islands, covers 6.4 acres.

3 units totaling 2,243 acres are closed to hunting (Closed, Hookton Slough, and White Slough Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Humboldt Bay NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. California sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Waterfowl, Migratory Birds
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid California hunting license and any required tags or stamps — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Humboldt Bay NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Refuge waters include South Humboldt Bay. Fishing is permitted over refuge tidelands. Non-motorized boat launch and dock are at the Hookton Slough Unit. Public boat launch is at Fields Landing. Fishing season is year-round.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Humboldt Bay NWR

Navigate

Destination: Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
40.68758, -124.21587
DMS
40°41′15.3″N 124°12′57.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Eureka, CA8.3 mi S of town
  • Crescent City, CA74 mi S of town
  • Redding, CA96 mi W of town
  • Medford, OR133 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • ACV Arcata–Eureka21 mi
  • RDD Redding Regional102 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Humboldt Bay NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Los Angeles local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:51 PM13h 09m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM7:28 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM7:00 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:38 PM11h 12m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM5:14 PM10h 29m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM5:00 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM4:51 PM9h 30m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM4:50 PM9h 17m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:10 AM7:40 AM4:59 PM9h 18m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:08 AM7:38 AM5:12 PM9h 34m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:57 AM7:27 AM5:32 PM10h 05m

Computed for 40.688, -124.216 (PDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Humboldt Bay NWR

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters

What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Humboldt Bay NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Humboldt Bay NWR?

Yes. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 9 units (1,686 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Humboldt Bay NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Humboldt Bay NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Humboldt Bay NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Humboldt Bay NWR located?

Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is in Humboldt County, California, about 8 miles S of Eureka, CA (straight-line). GPS: 40.68758, -124.21587.

What are legal shooting hours at Humboldt Bay NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Castle Rock NWR

Del Norte County, CA · 74 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Oregon Islands NWR

Curry County, OR · 108 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Coleman NFH

Shasta County, CA · 111 mi E

1 closed
No hunting listed

Sacramento River NWR

Tehama County, CA · 117 mi E

22 special17 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐗🎣

6.1K huntable acres

Sacramento NWR

Glenn County, CA · 140 mi SE

4 special1 closed
🦆🦃🐦🕊️

3.5K huntable acres

North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area

Butte County, CA · 143 mi SE

3 special2 closed
🦆🐦🕊️

741 huntable acres

All refuges in California →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.