East Walker River Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
East Walker River Wildlife Area is 1,348 acres of CDFW land in Mono County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts 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 X12, where CDFW estimates 193 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 landOther state or federal landEast Walker River WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,348 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Mono |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X12 |
| Nearest towns | Bridgeport (5 mi), Twin Lakes (13 mi) and Walker (18 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for East Walker River Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, East Walker River WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for East Walker River 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 East Walker River 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 East Walker River Wildlife Area?
East Walker River Wildlife Area is approximately 1,400 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat along a 7 mile stretch on both sides of the East Walker River, north of Bridgeport Reservoir. The elevation ranges from 6,000 to 6,500 feet. Brown and rainbow trout, waterfowl, bald and golden eagles, prairie falcons, quail, grouse, passerine birds, beaver, river otter, mink, and black bear are found here. The river valley is a migration corridor for the East Walker mule deer herd.
Bureau of Land Management land surrounds the reservoir and the wildlife area is bordered by Toiyabe National Forest.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Waterfowl, valley and mountain quail, and deer may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: None. Forest Service campgrounds can be found nearby.
From CDFW's page for East Walker River Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is East Walker River Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of East Walker River WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X12 | 1,348 | 193 deer taken in 2025, 58.7% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 12 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of East Walker River WA: hunt A-20 (Zone X-12 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around East Walker River Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 38,468 acres of national forest, 9,553 acres of BLM land, 1,346 acres of CDFW land and 80 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to East Walker River Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Bridgeport head north on Hwy 182, past Bridgeport Reservoir. The wildlife area begins near the north end of Bridgeport Reservoir and straddles the highway and river for seven miles, nearly to the Nevada border.
CDFW's location note: 6 miles north of Bridgeport and Hwy 395 along Hwy 182 and the East Walker River. Highways within 8 miles: US 395 and CA 182. Nearest towns: Bridgeport (5 miles), Twin Lakes (13 miles), Walker (18 miles) and Virginia Lakes (20 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on East Walker River 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 East Walker River Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list East Walker River Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is East Walker River Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X12, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 193 deer were taken in Zone X12 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to East Walker River Wildlife Area?
Bridgeport (5 miles), Twin Lakes (13 miles) and Walker (18 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, East Walker River 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.