Big Lagoon Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Big Lagoon Wildlife Area is 1,458 acres of CDFW land in Humboldt County, in CDFW's Northern Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. It lies in deer Zone B1, where CDFW estimates 3,992 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.
BLMCDFW landNational Park ServiceState parkBig Lagoon WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,458 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Humboldt |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone B1 |
| Elk zone | Northwestern |
| Nearest towns | Big Lagoon (next to it), Orick (6 mi) and Trinidad (7 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Big Lagoon WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Big Lagoon Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Big Lagoon Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
Big Lagoon is the largest and southernmost of four lagoons between Patrick's Point and Redwood Creek. At approximately 1,600 acres in size, it includes a brackish water lagoon and marsh. This is important habitat for waterfowl and Roosevelt elk. Waterfowl using the lagoon include pintail, wigeons, shovellers, scaup, and ruddy ducks. Grebes, herons, snipe and osprey are also found here. Steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout are present in the lagoon.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: waterfowl and snipe (seasonal)
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: Picnic tables, camping, and restrooms are available at the County Park.
From CDFW's page for Big Lagoon Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Big Lagoon Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Big Lagoon WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone B1 | 1,458 | 3,992 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Northwestern elk zone | 1,458 | 20 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Big Lagoon WA: hunt M-11 (Northwestern California Muzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 6,092 acres of National Park Service land, 4,267 acres of state park land and 60 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Eureka, head north on Highway 101 approximately 34 miles to the Wildlife Area; access is available through nearby Dry Lagoon State Park.
CDFW's location note: Approximately 34 miles north of Eureka. Highways within 8 miles: US 101. Nearest towns: Big Lagoon (next to it), Orick (6 miles), Trinidad (7 miles) and Westhaven-Moonstone (8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise.
Can you camp on Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Big Lagoon Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Big Lagoon Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone B1, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 3,992 deer were taken in Zone B1 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Big Lagoon Wildlife Area?
Big Lagoon (next to it), Orick (6 miles) and Trinidad (7 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, Big Lagoon Wildlife Area.
- 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.