North Grasslands Wildlife Area

Recreational Opportunities

Activities: fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing

Hunting:

Type A: North Grasslands Wildlife Area has restricted hunter access during waterfowl and pheasant hunting seasons. Adult hunters are required to purchase a Type A hunting pass in advance in order to exchange for an entry permit.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Flood up maps are current as of 8/17/2019. Due to changing weather, water availability and management needs, the flood up schedule may change at any time.

• 2019 Flood-up Schedule / Maps: China Island (PDF) | Gadwall (PDF) | Salt Slough (PDF)
• August 17, 2019 Central Region Wildlife Area Meeting Slides (PDF)

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Area History

The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1992.

China Island: Prior to 1840, Native Americans known as the Yokut occupied most of the San Joaquin river basin. Because most of this land was historically flooded, occupancy was limited to high spots and seasonal at best. As waters of the San Joaquin were diverted, flooding was curtailed, thus making the cattle business practices of the past increasingly more dependent on artificially maintained surface water. China Island was primarily used for cattle grazing. The northern portion was sectioned off with a network of fences and graded to support irrigated pasture. The southern portion is predominantly floodplain with little or no improvements ever made. Some recreational waterfowl hunting took place.

Gadwall: The known historical uses on this parcel were cattle grazing and duck hunting. The property was operated as a viable private duck club prior to its purchase by the Department.

Salt Slough: Prior to the 1930s, this land was altered to improve grazing, presumably by Henry Miller, and was operated as a cattle ranch until acquired by the Department. Since this parcel is adjacent to the Salt Slough, it is likely fishing and hunting took place in or around this area.