Located in the heart of the Pacific Flyway, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area's approximately 16,600 acres is a haven for fish, waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds, neotropical migratory birds, raptors, invertebrates, snakes, turtles, toads, and bats. Vegetation community types include managed seasonal and permanent wetland, natural seasonal wetland, natural perennial wetland, and riparian woodland. This land is the perfect place to escape urban life in nearby Sacramento and Davis. Bird watchers, hunters and schoolchildren all come here to experience wildlife up-close in nature.
Notice: During winter months, portions of Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area may be periodically closed due to flooding. Check the Emergency Closures page for current information.
Facilities
Swing gates located at the western levy access close at sunset. Unpaved access roads on the property (including a vehicle "tour" loop) lead to designated dirt and gravel parking areas. Other than a number of hunting blinds, there are no other facility improvements. Check stations on the property are staffed on hunt days during hunting seasons.
The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters office is located approximately two miles west of the main property on E Chiles Road/County Road 32B.
Accessibility
Two accessible hunting blinds are available for mobility-impaired hunters.
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 Gray Lodge Wildlife Area and its history, wildlife and habitat.
History
The Yolo Basin was once a nearly 80,000-acre wetland teeming with wildlife, from herds of tule elk roaming its marshes to dense clouds of migratory waterfowl seeking winter food and shelter. Over time the basin has been profoundly altered by human activity. In more recent history, the majority of lands within the Bypass have been used for grazing and farming with limited wetland management taking place on private waterfowl hunting club lands.
The area was designated as a Wildlife Area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1994. The historic culture of waterfowl hunting on private clubs continues to this day on properties neighboring the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The goals of reestablishing wetland habitat for water birds and other wildlife, while still maintaining the agricultural character and flood control function of the Bypass, are at the core of the Wildlife Area's mission.
Learning About the Land
Increasingly, people and birds are drawn to the Yolo wetlands. Scientists, bird enthusiasts and schoolchildren visit the wetlands on guided tours to witness first-hand the awe-inspiring sights and sounds of waterfowl.
Through the Discover the Flyway program, the Yolo Basin Foundation(opens in new tab) has, in partnership with CDFW, trained hundreds of teachers to lead thousands of schoolchildren on field activities while visiting Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The Yolo Basin Foundation believes that education is the cornerstone of perpetual protection for our wetlands and wildlife.
Partnerships
While Yolo Bypass retains its historic flood-control priority, the area has been restored to create permanent ponds and seasonal wetland for wintering waterfowl and other species.
Thanks to the CDFW's partnerships and collaborative efforts with the Yolo Basin Foundation, Californians are the beneficiaries of a unique wildlife sanctuary.
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
Hunting Pass Type A: Yolo Bypass 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.
The following game may be seasonally pursued at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area:
Hunting Rules and Requirements
- Approximately 7,900 acres of wetland and upland habitat are open to waterfowl and upland game hunting.
- All hunters must check in at the hunter check station to obtain an entry permit.
- Hunting is only permitted Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday during waterfowl season and every day during the September dove season.
- For all species, hunting is always closed on Christmas Day.
In addition to the above, hunters are responsible for knowing and complying with all Bird Hunting and Land Use Regulations and all other rules and regulations in effect at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.
Check Stations: During approved hunting seasons, the parking lot and checking stations will open at least 2.5 hours before shooting time. Overnight parking is not permitted.
Reservations: Available during the waterfowl and pheasant seasons. Hunters without reservations may register at the Headquarters office at 45211 County Road 32B in Davis between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays for Wednesday and Saturday hunt days. Lottery for Sunday hunt days will be conducted at the hunter check station all day until 7:00 p.m on Saturdays. Hunters without reservations or lottery numbers will be assigned first-come, first-served numbers beginning 2.5 hours before shooting time at the hunter check station, which is located within the bypass. All lottery results will be posted online at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Lottery Drawing Results.
Holiday Lotteries:
- The lottery for the Saturday following Thanksgiving will be held on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 7:00 p.m. Signups are all day at the Check Station on that Wednesday until 7:00 p.m.
- The Wildlife Area is closed Christmas Day. When Christmas falls on a Saturday, to hunt the Sunday after Christmas, the lottery will be held at the Check Station on the previous hunt day (Wednesday) until 7:00 p.m.
- If New Years Day (January 1) falls on a hunt day on Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, the lottery will be held between 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. as normal.
Assigned Blinds: Sixteen assigned blind sites are available for waterfowl hunting in the Northeast Unit of the Wildlife Area. Each blind site consists of two concrete double pit blinds and has a capacity of four hunters. Parking is available in Lots F and H.
Pheasant hunting is not permitted in the assigned blind area.
Blinds are issued during the morning up to one hour before shooting time in the following order: (1) Hunters with reservations, (2) hunters with a lottery number, and (3) hunters in the sweat line on a first come, first served basis. Blinds are refilled continuously until 2:00 p.m.
- Hunters must hunt from their assigned blinds, except to retrieve downed birds.
- Hunters may not access the free-roam area north of the Northeast Unit from parking lot H.
- Please replace blind covers before departing
- Please remove all litter including empty shotgun shells when you leave your blind
Hunt Maps
Use of the Disabled Accessible Blind Pond
Disabled Accessible (DA) Blind capacity is three (3) individuals. DA blinds are filled by reservation held for one hour, then filled as first-come first-serve after the hour has expired. The first-come first-serve will be in an order determined by lottery number (in number order) then by sweat-line number. If no one takes the blind then it will be left open. No able body hunters (non-mobility impaired hunters) will be allowed to take the blind.
One free roam party can also fill the disabled accessible hunting area. However, this party must have proper paperwork and is restricted to standard reservation / lottery filling quotas, i.e. they can only bring one additional adult with them. If no one takes the disabled accessible free roam hunting area it will be left open with no able body individuals filling it.
Both of these will only be refilled during the standard blind refilling procedures until 2:00 p.m.
The disabled accessible free roam party will not be counted against the total free roam quota for the area. The free roam hunting party take (harvest information) will be added to the general total and not the disabled accessible blind total.
Every hunting party must have a mobility impaired hunter and must provide the registration certificate for Department of Motor Vehicle issued disabled license plates.
Fishing
There is no fishing permitted at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.
Rules and Visitor Use
Be aware of the following rules while visiting Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area:
- No horses allowed
- No dogs allowed
- No bicycles allowed
- No drones allowed without a Special Use Permit (PDF)
- No camping allowed
In addition to the above, visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all Rules and Regulations in effect at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.
For specific questions regarding use of this land, call the Headquarters office at (530) 757-2461.