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Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area

Description

The approximately 8,000-acre Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1986. It is operated in cooperation with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was created with the completion of the Warm Springs Dam in 1983. It is situated in the beautiful foothills of Sonoma County, and is surrounded by rugged terrain covered by live oaks, madrones, spicebush, and in spring, a host of wildflowers.

Some of the common wildlife seen include deer, California quail, acorn woodpeckers, and ash-throated flycatchers. Nesting peregrine falcons are rarely but occasionally seen. The lake provides excellent bass fishing. Other game fish include crappie, Sacramento perch, channel catfish and redear sunfish.

For more information, call the Bay Delta Region's Fairfield office at (707) 428-2002.

Recreational Opportunities

wildlife viewing fishing boat ramp deer hunting wild pig hunting turkey hunting restrooms

Activities: hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting

Facilities: Restrooms available at the campgrounds and visitor center. There are both campgrounds and primitive campsites available.

The Wildlife Area is patrolled by CDFW Wardens. In case of emergency please call 911.

For information on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Sonoma, visit USACE’s Lake Sonoma website or call the Lake Sonoma Visitor Center at (707) 431-4533.

NOTE: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of Department lands.

Refer to the Public Uses on State and Federal Lands section of the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

no drones icon
You may not operate a drone on CDFW Lands without a Special Use Permit.

Hunting Opportunities

Type C: Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas. Authorized species:

  • Deer: Deer hunts are applied for through the License and Revenue Branch. A premium deer tag is required for the Archery A25 Hunt and Junior J1 Hunt.
  • Pig: Pig hunts are now offered by the Corps of Engineers for archery and crossbow hunts.
  • Turkey: Spring and fall wild turkey hunts for adults and juniors are applied for through the CDFW Special Hunts Online Registration System.

map of Lake Sonoma WA - click to enlarge in new window
Click to enlarge

Location

Bay Delta Region (Region 3)

Sonoma County

20 miles northwest of Santa Rosa

Access:

Yorty Creek area: From Highway 101, exit at South Cloverdale Blvd. Take a right on Cloverdale Blvd., then either a left at Treadway and go 0.3 miles, turn right for 0.3 miles to Hot Springs Road or turn left at first signal (West Brookside) to Foothill, left on Foothill to Hot Springs Road.

Liberty Glen area: From Highway 101, take the Healdsburg exit (Dry Creek Road). Take a right to Lake Sonoma, go past the visitor center, cross the Lake Sonoma bridge, then go 3 miles to the Liberty Glen campground. Liberty Glen check station is located at the parking lot near the kiosk.

CDFW Lands Viewer

Wildlife Branch - Lands Program
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090