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Sacramento River Wildlife Area

Description

The Sacramento River Wildlife Area is approximately 3,900 acres of riparian forest, grasslands, oxbow lakes, and gravel bars. The riparian forest is dominated by cottonwood, willow, ash, sycamore, and box elder trees with dense understory of wild grape, pipevine, and poison oak. Among the diversity of species that can be seen along the river are otters, beavers, gray fox, bobcat, western pond turtles, ash-throated flycatchers, great blue herons, egrets, and a variety of birds of prey.

For more information, visit SacramentoRiver.org or call the North Central Region's Rancho Cordova office at (916) 358-2900.

Recreational Opportunities

Fishing boat Ramp Wildlife Viewing Deer Hunting Quail Hunting Turkey Hunting Pheasant Hunting Waterfowl Hunting Hunting with Shotguns Bow Hunting

Activities: fishing, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, nature study, trapping, and hunting

Hunting: Game species include deer, quail, turkey, and dove.

Type C: Sacramento River 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.

Facilities: None

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.

Access

Boat-in Only

  • Merrills' Landing
  • Dicus Slough
  • Wilson Landing
  • Pine Creek North
  • Shannon Slough
  • Ord Bend
  • Jacinto
  • Oxbow
  • Beehive Bend
  • Princeton South
  • Stegeman
  • Moulton North
  • Moulton South
  • Colusa North
  • Colusa South
 

Boat-in or Walk-in

  • Pine Creek West
  • Pine Creek East
  • Princeton North
  • Princeton East
  • Princeton Southeast
  • Site 21
 

Public Boat Launch Sites

Site Name River Mile Location and Access
Colusa State Park 145 One block east of Highway 20 in Colusa
Butte City Launch Facilities 169 Northeast corner of Butte City
Ord Bend Boat Ramp 184 County Road 32, where it crosses the river
Big Chico Creek Day Use Area 193.2 On River Road, south of Highway 32 and west of Chico
Pine Creek Day Use Area 196.5 On River Road in Chico, south of Highway 32
Gianella Landing 199 South of Highway 32 bridge, west of Hamilton City
Tehama County River Park/ Woodson Bridge 218 Located on South Avenue in Corning

Area History

The Department works in partnership with a variety of entities to preserve remaining riparian habitat and reestablish a continuous ecosystem along the river. The wildlife area has been acquired primarily from private individuals and corporations. The initial portion was acquired in 1958. In 1978, two more properties were acquired and the area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission. Four properties were acquired in 1986-7, and more between 1989 and 1995.

Related Documents

Map of Sacramento River WA location - click to enlarge in new window
Click to enlarge

Location

North Central Region (Region 2)

Butte, Glenn, Colusa, and Tehama Counties

on the east and west sides of the Sacramento River

Access: Walk-in access is severely limited due to surrounding private property. Most units are only accessible by boat. Large yellow unit signs have been posted and are visible to users from the river. See at left for information on access to specific units of the Wildlife Area.

CDFW Lands Viewer

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