Marin Islands NWR
Marin County, CA · 11 mi S
✕1 closed
🎣
San Pablo 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
Hunting at San Pablo Bay NWR
-
Big Game - Waterfowl
-
Wild Turkey - Upland Birds
-
Migratory Birds -
Small Game -
Feral & Exotic - Fishing
Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl and upland birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing.
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 to support migratory birds, wetland habitat, and endangered species. The refuge consists of more than 19,000 acres along the northern edge of San Pablo Bay, north of San Francisco.
WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridge
Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow California regulations plus refuge-specific rules.
Hunt units (17)
- Open8,279 ac 40%
- Special regulations2,151 ac 10%
- Closed10,056 ac 49%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigable Sloughs Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 55 | — | |
| San Pablo Bay Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 8,224 | — | |
| Cullinan Ranch Unit Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,034 | — | |
| Dickson Ranch Unit Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 806 | — | |
| Tolay Creek Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 310 | — | |
| Cullinan Ranch Closed Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 175 | — | |
| Detjen Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 429 | — | |
| Dickson Ranch Closed Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 293 | — | |
| Figueras Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 505 | — | |
| Haire Ranch Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 2,091 | — | |
| Lower Tubbs Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 249 | — | |
| Navy Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 2,501 | — | |
| North Parcel Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 259 | — | |
| Prati Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 35 | — | |
| San Pablo Bay Closed Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 2,473 | — | |
| Sears Point Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 485 | — | |
| Sonoma Baylands Unit Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 562 | — |
San Pablo Bay NWR by the numbers
With about 10,430 huntable acres, San Pablo Bay NWR ranks #3 of 21 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in California and #185 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 51% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.
The largest huntable unit is San Pablo Bay (8,224 acres), while the smallest, Navigable Sloughs, covers 55 acres.
12 units totaling 10,056 acres are closed to hunting (Cullinan Ranch Closed, Detjen Unit, Dickson Ranch Closed, Figueras Unit, and Haire Ranch Unit, …). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.
Besides 9,223 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 2.1 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.
When to hunt San Pablo 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.
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
🐦 Upland Birds
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 San Pablo Bay NWR
- 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge lies along the north shore of the bay. It includes open bay/tidal marsh, mud flats, and seasonal and managed wetland habitats.
State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.
How to get to San Pablo Bay NWR
Navigate
Destination: San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
38.12222, -122.39442- DMS
38°07′20.0″N 122°23′39.9″W
Nearest towns
- San Francisco, CA24 mi N of town
- Sacramento, CA58 mi SW of town
- San Jose, CA61 mi NW of town
- Stockton, CA61 mi W of town
Closest airports
- SFO San Francisco Intl35 mi
- SJC San Jose Mineta58 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 San Pablo 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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:08 AM | 6:38 AM | 7:41 PM | 13h 03m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:20 AM | 6:50 AM | 7:19 PM | 12h 30m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:33 AM | 7:03 AM | 6:54 PM | 11h 50m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:46 AM | 7:16 AM | 6:33 PM | 11h 17m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:04 AM | 6:34 AM | 5:11 PM | 10h 37m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:20 AM | 6:50 AM | 4:58 PM | 10h 09m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:36 AM | 7:06 AM | 4:50 PM | 9h 44m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 6:48 AM | 7:18 AM | 4:50 PM | 9h 32m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 6:55 AM | 7:25 AM | 4:59 PM | 9h 34m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 6:54 AM | 7:24 AM | 5:11 PM | 9h 47m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:44 AM | 7:14 AM | 5:30 PM | 10h 16m |
Computed for 38.122, -122.394 (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 San Pablo 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…
Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas
Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…
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…
How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)
What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…
San Pablo Bay NWR FAQ
Is hunting allowed at San Pablo Bay NWR?
Yes. San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (10,430 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and upland birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.
Do I need a permit to hunt San Pablo Bay NWR?
FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for San Pablo 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 San Pablo Bay NWR?
Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.
Where is San Pablo Bay NWR located?
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is in Sonoma County, California, about 24 miles N of San Francisco, CA (straight-line). GPS: 38.12222, -122.39442.
What are legal shooting hours at San Pablo 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
Antioch Dunes NWR
Contra Costa County, CA · 34 mi E
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Farallon NWR
CA · 44 mi SW
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Alameda County, CA · 48 mi SE
✓12 open!8 special✕1 closed
🦆🎣
10.4K huntable acres
Stone Lakes NWR
Sacramento County, CA · 52 mi E
!1 special✕1 closed
🦆🎣
174 huntable acres
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Stanislaus County, CA · 73 mi SE
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.