Fay Slough Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Fay Slough Wildlife Area is 477 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. CDFW limits hunting here to: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. 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.
CDFW landNational wildlife refugeOther state or federal landFay Slough WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 477 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Humboldt |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
| Closures | Closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting day (subsection 502(e)(1)(B)(5) of these regulations) through April 1. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone B1 |
| Elk zone | Northwestern |
| Nearest towns | Indianola (next to it), Myrtletown (next to it) and Eureka (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Fay Slough WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting day (subsection 502(e)(1)(B)(5) of these regulations) through April 1. Entry to the wildlife area is only from the designated parking area, located off Highway 101. Boating access is prohibited. No dogs allowed except with hunters during the designated hunting season. Hunting from designated ponds only. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Hunting is allowed only on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays and only during waterfowl season. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Fay Slough 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 Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
The 484-acre Fay Slough Wildlife Area is previously grazed land that has been restored to coastal and seasonal wetlands. Riparian woodlands occur along the eastern and southern edges of the area, and are dominated by red alder and willows. Many species of resident and migratory songbirds utilize this habitat, as well as egrets, herons and various raptors. There are also many species of reptiles and amphibians that occur is the area, including northern red-legged frogs, pacific chorus frogs, northwest salamanders, and newts.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe may be present.
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Fay Slough Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Fay Slough Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Fay Slough WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone B1 | 477 | 3,992 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Northwestern elk zone | 477 | 20 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Fay Slough 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 Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,140 acres of CDFW land and 128 acres of national wildlife refuge.
How do you get to Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: n Highway 101, 2 miles north of the City Eureka, next to Harper Motors. Access is from the designated parking area only.
Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 255, CA 299 and CA 200. Nearest towns: Indianola (next to it), Myrtletown (next to it), Eureka (2 miles) and Cutten (3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. CDFW's closure: Closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting day (subsection 502(e)(1)(B)(5) of these regulations) through April 1. Entry to the wildlife area is only from the designated parking area, located off Highway 101. Boating access is prohibited. No dogs allowed except with hunters during the designated hunting season. Hunting from designated ponds only.
Can you camp on Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Fay Slough Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Fay Slough 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 Fay Slough Wildlife Area?
Indianola (next to it), Myrtletown (next to it) and Eureka (2 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, Fay Slough 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.