Clear Lake Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Clear Lake Wildlife Area is 110 acres of CDFW land in Lake County, in CDFW's North Central 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 A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 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 landClear Lake WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 110 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Lake |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Nice (2 mi), North Lakeport (2 mi) and Upper Lake (3 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Clear Lake Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Clear Lake WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake Wildlife Area?
The 97-acre Clear Lake Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 2004. This area is one of the most significant bioregions of Lake County, comprised of a combination of oak covered hills, dense tule marsh, and an extensive riparian habitat system. This habitat mix provides for a wide diversity of aquatic and terrestrial species of wildlife including herons, red-tailed hawks, osprey, songbirds, waterfowl, deer, gray fox, bobcat, and coyote. Rodman Slough also serves as an important breeding and nursery area for numerous fish species including black bass, black and white crappie, and catfish.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Clear Lake 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
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Clear Lake Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Clear Lake Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Clear Lake WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 110 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Clear Lake Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 685 acres of national forest, 366 acres of BLM land and 112 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Clear Lake Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: By boat. Public launch sites located in Lakeport, Lakeside Park, Clear Lake State Park, Clearlake Oaks, and Lucerne.
CDFW's location note: North end of Clear Lake, adjacent to Rodman Slough north of the Nice-Lucerne cutoff. Highways within 8 miles: CA 29 and CA 175. Nearest towns: Nice (2 miles), North Lakeport (2 miles), Upper Lake (3 miles) and Lakeport (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Clear Lake Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Clear Lake Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Clear Lake Wildlife Area?
Nice (2 miles), North Lakeport (2 miles) and Upper Lake (3 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, Clear Lake 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.