National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in Sonoma County, California, with about 9,223 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 17 mapped hunt units: 2 open under general rules, 3 open with special regulations, and 12 closed, covering about 10,430 huntable acres.

2 open units3 with special regs12 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
17hunt units
10.4Khuntable acres
9.2KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at San Pablo Bay NWR

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)

Acreage by status
Open: 8,279 (40%)Special regulations: 2,151 (10%)Closed: 10,056 (49%)10.4Khuntable acres
  • Open8,279 ac 40%
  • Special regulations2,151 ac 10%
  • Closed10,056 ac 49%
Units by size (acres)
San Pablo Bay
8,224 ac
Navy Unit
2,501 ac
San Pablo Bay Closed
2,473 ac
Haire Ranch Unit
2,091 ac
Cullinan Ranch Unit
1,034 ac
Dickson Ranch Unit
806 ac
Sonoma Baylands Unit
562 ac
Figueras Unit
505 ac
Sears Point Unit
485 ac
Detjen Unit
429 ac
Tolay Creek
310 ac
Dickson Ranch Closed
293 ac
North Parcel Unit
259 ac
Lower Tubbs Unit
249 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Navigable Sloughs Open 55 —
San Pablo Bay Open 8,224 —
Cullinan Ranch Unit Special regs 1,034 —
Dickson Ranch Unit Special regs 806 —
Tolay Creek Special regs 310 —
Cullinan Ranch Closed Closed 175 —
Detjen Unit Closed 429 —
Dickson Ranch Closed Closed 293 —
Figueras Unit Closed 505 —
Haire Ranch Unit Closed 2,091 —
Lower Tubbs Unit Closed 249 —
Navy Unit Closed 2,501 —
North Parcel Unit Closed 259 —
Prati Unit Closed 35 —
San Pablo Bay Closed Closed 2,473 —
Sears Point Unit Closed 485 —
Sonoma Baylands Unit Closed 562 —

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)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
38.12222, -122.39442
DMS
38°07′20.0″N 122°23′39.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

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

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM7:41 PM13h 03m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:19 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:54 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM6:33 PM11h 17m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM5:11 PM10h 37m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM4:58 PM10h 09m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:50 PM9h 44m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM4:50 PM9h 32m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:55 AM7:25 AM4:59 PM9h 34m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:11 PM9h 47m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM5:30 PM10h 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.

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

Marin Islands NWR

Marin County, CA · 11 mi S

1 closed
🎣

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 open8 special1 closed
🦆🎣

10.4K huntable acres

Stone Lakes NWR

Sacramento County, CA · 52 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦆🎣

174 huntable acres

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Stanislaus County, CA · 73 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in California →

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