National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Siskiyou County, California, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 52,539 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Oregon. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 31,277 huntable acres.

3 with special regs2 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
31.3Khuntable acres
52.5KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Lower Klamath 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 Lower Klamath NWR

Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

A Refuge Recreation Pass is required for all hunting on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory 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 (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 31,277 (60%)Closed: 21,262 (40%)31.3Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations31,277 ac 60%
  • Closed21,262 ac 40%
Units by size (acres)
Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Hunting - CA
22,591 ac
Closed to all Hunting - CA
20,913 ac
Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Hunting - OR
6,987 ac
Upland Gamebird Hunting Only
1,698 ac
Closed to all Hunting - OR
350 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Upland Gamebird Hunting Only Special regs 1,698 Required
Other		 Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50 for seniors and students; 15…
Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Hunting - CA Special regs 22,591 Required
Other		 Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50 for seniors and students; 15…
Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Hunting - OR Special regs 6,987 Required
Other		 Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50 for seniors and students; 15…
Closed to all Hunting - CA Closed 20,913 Required
Other		 Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50 for seniors and students; 15…
Closed to all Hunting - OR Closed 350 Required
Other		 Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50 for seniors and students; 15…

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50 for seniors and students; 15 and under is free)

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

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 Lower Klamath NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Lower Klamath NWR.

How to get to Lower Klamath NWR

Navigate

Destination: Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.96457, -121.72222
DMS
41°57′52.5″N 121°43′20.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Tulelake, CA12 mi W of town
  • Klamath Falls, OR18 mi S of town
  • Medford, OR64 mi SE of town
  • Alturas, CA69 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • MFR Rogue Valley–Medford65 mi
  • RDD Redding Regional105 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 Lower Klamath 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, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM7:43 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:18 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM6:50 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM6:27 PM11h 09m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM5:02 PM10h 24m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:47 PM9h 51m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM4:37 PM9h 23m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM4:36 PM9h 09m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:04 AM7:34 AM4:45 PM9h 10m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:02 AM7:32 AM4:58 PM9h 26m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:50 AM7:20 AM5:19 PM9h 59m

Computed for 41.965, -121.722 (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.

Lower Klamath NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Lower Klamath NWR?

Yes. Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (31,277 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Lower Klamath NWR?

Yes — Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov) or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Lower Klamath NWR located?

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is in Siskiyou County, California, about 12 miles W of Tulelake, CA (straight-line). GPS: 41.96457, -121.72222.

What are legal shooting hours at Lower Klamath 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

Bear Valley NWR

Klamath County, OR · 13 mi NW

1 special
🦌

4.2K huntable acres

Tule Lake NWR

Siskiyou County, CA · 13 mi SE

3 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️

20.4K huntable acres

Clear Lake NWR

Modoc County, CA · 32 mi E

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️

10K huntable acres

Upper Klamath NWR

Klamath County, OR · 43 mi N

1 open1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Klamath Marsh NWR

Klamath County, OR · 63 mi N

1 open1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

11.7K huntable acres

Modoc NWR

Modoc County, CA · 71 mi SE

2 special3 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

2.3K huntable acres

All refuges in California →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.