Imperial Wildlife Area

Recreational Opportunities

Activities: wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting

During inclement weather roads and other areas may be muddy, impassable and periodic closures may occur. Please use extreme caution as area access is at your own risk. Check the Emergency Closures web page for further information.

Hunting:

Type A: Wister 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.

Type C: Finney-Ramer Unit 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.

Summer days can reach temperatures to 120 degrees. Knowledge of desert survival recommended.

Special access blind sites are available for mobility impaired hunters.

Imperial Wildlife Area cannot currently maintain a huntable population of pheasants, and is closed to pheasant hunting until further notice. CDFW is working to create and maintain additional and sustainable habitat that will allow pheasant hunting to resume in the future.

Inland Desert Region Wildlife Area Meeting Slides (PDF)

Area History

Prior to development, the area was most likely a desert scrub community. In 1905, the Colorado River broke through an irrigation project and created the Salton Sea. This sea is saltier than the ocean.

At the time of acquisition, approximately 60% of the property was under cultivation, with the remainder undeveloped. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1951. In 1972, about 200 acres were removed to form the Imperial Warmwater Fish Hatchery. In recent decades, the majority of the property has been developed as marsh and green feed, including roads, levees, and canals.