Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve is 163 acres of CDFW land in San Bernardino County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts Region, one of the ecological reserves where Title 14, Section 630(d) makes hunting a designated public use. CDFW's rule for it: Waterfowl and upland game only. Waterfowl hunting shall be from boats only. It lies in deer Zone D14, where CDFW estimates 503 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
National forestBLMCDFW landBaldwin Lake ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 163 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Hunting | Waterfowl and upland game only. Waterfowl hunting shall be from boats only. |
| Deer zone | Zone D14 |
| Nearest towns | Big Bear City (2 mi), Big Bear Lake (5 mi) and Lucerne Valley (11 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Waterfowl and upland game only. Waterfowl hunting shall be from boats only.
CDFW lists no rules for Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve beyond those for every ecological reserve (Sections 550 and 630).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
The 156-acre Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve includes a unique pebble plain plant community as well as vernal wet meadow habitat. The site is also significant for its wintering population of bald eagles.
The Department purchased the property from The Nature Conservancy in 1989. It was acquired to protect existing populations of rare and endangered plants. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1991.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: waterfowl hunting by boat
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Baldwin Lake ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D14 | 163 | 503 deer taken in 2025, 16.8% hunter success; 2026 general season October 10 to November 8 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Baldwin Lake ER: hunt J-11 (San Bernardino Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 27,224 acres of national forest, 589 acres of BLM land and 162 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 18 east of Big Bear City. Reserve is at the intersection of Hwy 18 and Holcomb Valley Road on the north side of Baldwin Lake.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 18 and CA 38. Nearest towns: Big Bear City (2 miles), Big Bear Lake (5 miles), Lucerne Valley (11 miles) and Running Springs (17 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
Yes, within CDFW's limits in Section 630(d): Waterfowl and upland game only. Waterfowl hunting shall be from boats only. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve in?
All of it is in deer Zone D14, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 503 deer were taken in Zone D14 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve?
Big Bear City (2 miles), Big Bear Lake (5 miles) and Lucerne Valley (11 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.