Heenan Lake Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Heenan Lake Wildlife Area is 1,660 acres of CDFW land in Alpine 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 X8, where CDFW estimates 49 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 landHeenan Lake WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,660 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Alpine |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X8 |
| Nearest towns | Topaz (7 mi), Markleeville (8 mi) and Coleville (8 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Heenan Lake Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Heenan Lake WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Heenan 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 Heenan 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 Heenan Lake Wildlife Area?
At an elevation of over 7,000 feet above sea level, Heenan Lake Wildlife Area in the mountainous country of the Eastern Sierra is well known for its population of cutthroat trout. Mule deer, black bears and mountain quail also inhabit the surrounding area.
(Approximately 40 miles from South Lake Tahoe)
From CDFW's page for Heenan Lake Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Heenan Lake Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Heenan Lake WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X8 | 1,660 | 49 deer taken in 2025, 24.3% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to October 11 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Heenan Lake WA: hunt A-15 (Zone X-8 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Heenan Lake Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 36,358 acres of national forest, 11,006 acres of BLM land, 4,677 acres of CDFW land and 624 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Heenan Lake Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Markleeville, proceed southeast on Highway 89. The Wildlife Area entrance is on the right, off the south side of Highway 89, approximately two miles past the junction with Highway 4.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 89, CA 4 and US 395. Nearest towns: Topaz (7 miles), Markleeville (8 miles), Coleville (8 miles) and Alpine Village (11 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Heenan 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 Heenan Lake Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Heenan Lake Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Heenan Lake Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X8, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 49 deer were taken in Zone X8 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Heenan Lake Wildlife Area?
Topaz (7 miles), Markleeville (8 miles) and Coleville (8 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, Heenan 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.