Volta Wildlife Area

Description

Volta Wildlife Area is approximately 3,800 acres of managed marsh and valley alkali shrub. Wildlife includes beaver, coyotes, cottontails and 150 species of birds including large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds.

For more information, call the Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463.

Recreational Opportunities

Wildlife Viewing Fishing Hunting with Shotguns Bow Hunting Waterfowl Hunting Pheasant Hunting

Activities: wildlife viewing and hunting

Foot access only, except for permitted hunters during waterfowl season.

Passes: A CDFW Lands Pass must be in possession by each visitor who is 16 years of age or older, however, visitors who are in possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are exempt from this requirement. Lands passes may be purchased on-line, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Lands passes cannot be substituted for Hunting Passes, which are required for adult hunters on Type-A and Type-B wildlife areas.
School and organized youth groups, including accompanying adults, are exempt from the lands pass requirement, but should contact the area to schedule a field trip at least two weeks in advance.

Hunting:

Type A: Volta 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.

Hunt Map (PDF)

ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to changing weather, water availability and management needs, the flood up schedule may change at any time.

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.


Area History

Beginning in 1949 a series of meetings were held throughout California to discuss acquisition of wetlands for State-owned waterfowl management areas. Purposes for acquisition included the economic necessity to protect agricultural crops from waterfowl depredation, the recognition of a need to protect waterfowl wintering habitat, and a desire to accommodate public waterfowl hunting. One result of these meetings was that Volta Wildlife Area was approved in concept.

In 1952, a lease agreement was initiated for the Department to manage the property, which has been renegotiated several times since. This property has been managed primarily as seasonally flooded wetland to provide the habitat needs of migratory waterfowl and associated species. It was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1973.

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

Location

Central Region (Region 4)

Merced County

3/4 mi north of Volta on Ingomar Grade

Directions: From Hwy 152 take Hwy 33 north to Santa Nella, or from I-5 take the Santa Nella exit and proceed south on Hwy 33; turn east on Henry Miller Ave and travel east 4-1/2 mi; turn left over the railroad tracks and turn left again and proceed north about 3/4 mi on Ingomar Grade Rd.

CDFW Lands Viewer