National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Siskiyou County, California, Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 37,697 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 20,405 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
20.4Khuntable acres
37.7KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Tule Lake 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 Tule Lake NWR

Hunting opportunities include 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 the Tule Lake 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 (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 20,405 (54%)Closed: 17,292 (46%)20.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations20,405 ac 54%
  • Closed17,292 ac 46%
Units by size (acres)
Closed to all Hunting
17,292 ac
Waterfowl Hunting
11,421 ac
Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Hunting
6,622 ac
Field Hunting
2,361 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Field Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,361 Required
Other		 Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunting. Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50…
Waterfowl and Upland Gamebird Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 6,622 Required
Other		 Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunting. Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50…
Waterfowl Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 11,421 Required
Other		 Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunting. Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50…
Closed to all Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 17,292 Required
Other		 Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunting. Refuge Recreation Pass (REC Fee Program; implemented website in 2006; 25 adults; 12.50…

Tule Lake NWR by the numbers

With about 20,405 huntable acres, Tule Lake NWR ranks #2 of 21 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in California and #115 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 54% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Waterfowl Hunting (11,421 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Field Hunting, covers 2,361 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 17,292 acres is closed to hunting (Closed to all Hunting). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Tule Lake 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, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Waterfowl and Pheasant Hunting. 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 Tule Lake NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Tule Lake NWR.

How to get to Tule Lake NWR

Navigate

Destination: Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.88217, -121.49764
DMS
41°52′55.8″N 121°29′51.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Tulelake, CA5.5 mi S of town
  • Klamath Falls, OR27 mi SE of town
  • Alturas, CA56 mi NW of town
  • Lakeview, OR63 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • MFR Rogue Valley–Medford78 mi
  • RDD Redding Regional103 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 Tule Lake 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, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM7:42 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:17 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:49 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM6:26 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM5:01 PM10h 25m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM4:46 PM9h 52m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM4:36 PM9h 23m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM4:35 PM9h 10m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM4:44 PM9h 11m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:01 AM7:31 AM4:57 PM9h 27m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM5:19 PM9h 60m

Computed for 41.882, -121.498 (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 Tule Lake 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…

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…

Tule Lake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Tule Lake NWR?

Yes. Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (20,405 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 Tule Lake NWR?

Yes — Tule Lake 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 Tule Lake NWR located?

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Siskiyou County, California, about 5 miles S of Tulelake, CA (straight-line). GPS: 41.88217, -121.49764.

What are legal shooting hours at Tule Lake 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

Lower Klamath NWR

Siskiyou County, CA · 13 mi NW

3 special2 closed
🦆🐦🕊️

31.3K huntable acres

Clear Lake NWR

Modoc County, CA · 20 mi E

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️

10K huntable acres

Bear Valley NWR

Klamath County, OR · 25 mi NW

1 special
🦌

4.2K huntable acres

Upper Klamath NWR

Klamath County, OR · 53 mi NW

1 open1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

16.4K huntable acres

Modoc NWR

Modoc County, CA · 59 mi SE

2 special3 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

2.3K huntable acres

Klamath Marsh NWR

Klamath County, OR · 70 mi N

1 open1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

11.7K huntable acres

All refuges in California →

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