The Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area is approximately 9,600 acres and consists of three units: Llano Seco, Howard Slough, and Little Dry Creek. It is located within the Butte Basin, a low-lying area extending from the Sacramento River south and east to the Butte Creek drainage and southward to include the Butte Sink.
Historically, this basin consisted of a braided network of sloughs, channels, and oxbows resulting from the meanderings of the Sacramento River and Butte Creek, and comprised a significant portion of the wetland habitat available for wintering migratory birds. Today it is still considered one of the finest wetland habitat complexes in North America. The Wildlife Area was created for the protection and restoration of some of these historical wetlands.
Notice: During winter months, portions of the Wildlife Area may be periodically closed due to flooding.
During the rainy season, the Gridley-Colusa Highway may be periodically closed due to flooding, preventing access to the Little Dry Creek Unit of the Wildlife Area. Check local road conditions prior to your visit or call the Wildlife Area at (530) 982-2169 for current closure information. Closure alerts are also listed on our Wildlife Area Closure Alerts web page.
Entry Passes
A CDFW Lands Pass must be in possession of anyone 16 years of age or older while visiting Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.
Visitors who are in possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are not required to purchase a Lands Pass, but this is true only for the license holder. Visitors age 16 or older accompanying the license holder must either show a valid California hunting or fishing license of their own, or a valid Lands Pass while visiting Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.
Lands Passes may be purchased online, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. A Lands Pass cannot be substituted for a Hunting Pass, which is required for adult hunters on Type-A wildlife areas.
A tour by an organized youth or school group is exempt from the Lands Pass requirement with written authorization. Contact the Wildlife Area at (530) 982-2169 to schedule a field trip at least two weeks in advance.
Facilities
A Wildlife Area staff office and three hunting check stations (open during hunting seasons) are the primary facilities on this property. Other than access roads and designated parking areas, this property has not received public infrastructure improvements.
Accessibility
At least one accessible hunting blind is available to mobility-impaired hunters on each of the three property units on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no other accessiblity improvements on this property.
Connectivity
There is limited cellular phone service available on this property. There is no public Wi-Fi service available.
Maps and Guides
Learn more about Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area and its history, wildlife and habitat.
History
Over time, the Butte Sink ecosystem has been profoundly altered by human activity. Beginning in the mid-1800s the adverse effects of hydraulic mining were prevalent, and tremendous accumulation of sediment in rivers and on floodplains occurred downstream of the mining. The demand for additional fertile land led to the implementation of large-scale reclamation and flood control projects to protect and enhance private lowlands.
More recently, the majority of lands adjacent to the Butte Sink were developed for grazing and farming. Prior to acquisition by the Department of Fish and Game in 1988, some lands that are now within the boundaries of the Wildlife Area were converted from seasonal wetlands with riparian corridors to agricultural lands predominately for commercial rice production. The Department’s goals were to restore habitat for wetland-dependent species and to develop riparian habitat corridors along Butte Creek. The property was designated as a Wildlife Area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1991.
Learning About the Land
Articles
Notice: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of CDFW-managed lands.
Refer to the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.
Hunting
Notice: Due to changing weather, water availability and management needs, the flood up schedule for Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area may change at any time.
Hunting Pass Type A: Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area (including the Llano Seco Unit, Howard Slough Unit and Little Dry Creek Unit) 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.
The following game may be seasonally pursued at Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area:
See below for more information on species-specific hunting opportunities.
Hunting Rules and Requirements
Each property unit is assigned a daily maximum hunter capacity quota.
- Llano Seco: total of 78 hunters, with refills.
- Howard Slough: up to 81 adults, with refills.
- Little Dry Creek: up to 96 adults, with refills in free roam only.
Each area fills the quota in this order: reservations, lottery, then first-come, first-served. If a lottery number is called and the hunter(s) fail to show at the check station window, they will be removed from the list. If they show after their number has been called, and still wish to hunt, they will be placed at the bottom of the first-come, first-served list.
Reservations: Waterfowl reservation drawings are available during the season.
Lotteries: Lotteries are held at all three units. The lottery for both Howard Slough and Little Dry Creek Units is held the night before each hunt date. Check station personnel open the station to conduct the lottery. To participate, a hunter must be present with their hunting licenses when the lottery card is filled out. An individual’s name may only appear in one lottery drawing per day. Numbers are issued between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and a computer is used to randomly determine the order applicants are placed on the list. The station then closes until the next morning, two and one-half hours before shoot time.
The process at Llano Seco Unit is the same, however lottery numbers are issued beginning at 4:00 a.m. on the hunt day and the order is compiled at 4:30 a.m.
First-come, First-served: First-come, first-served (sweat line) lists are established the morning of each hunt day. Hunters that do not have a reservation and do not participate in the lottery can ask to be placed on this list.
- All check stations close to entry at 3:00 p.m.
- All hunters must carry their daily permit in the field. Permits must be returned to the check station and hunting results reported before leaving area.
- Deer may only be hunted under special permit issued by drawing for the Little Dry Creek Apprentice Deer Hunt.
- Fall turkey hunting is open annually at the regional manager's discretion. For season details, check with the Wildlife Area prior to the opening of fall turkey season.
- Special Closure: Dove hunting on the Little Dry Creek Unit is only allowed east of Little Dry Creek.
- No high shooting or skyscraping - give decoy hunters a wide berth. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
- For all species, hunting is closed on Christmas Day if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday.
In addition to the above, hunters are responsible for knowing and complying with all Bird Hunting and Land Use Regulations, Mammal Hunting Regulations, and all other rules and regulations in effect at Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.
At least one hunting blind for the mobility impaired is available on each property unit. A Department of Motor Vehicles ID card is required to use the blind.
Hunt Maps
Spring Turkey Hunting Maps:
Waterfowl Hunting Maps and Report:
Dove Hunting Maps:
Apprentice Deer Hunting Map:
Fishing
A valid CDFW fishing license is required. Check fishing regulations for current licensing fees. Licenses are not available at Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area and must be purchased before arrival.
Rules and Visitor Use
Be aware of the following rules while visiting Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area:
- No horses allowed
- Dogs must be under owner's control at all times
- No bicycles allowed during waterfowl hunting season
- No drones allowed without a Special Use Permit (PDF)
- Camping only allowed for hunters in check station parking lots on nights preceding waterfowl hunt days
In addition to the above, visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all Rules and Regulations in effect at Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area.
For specific questions regarding use of this land, call the Wildlife Area at (530) 982-2169.