Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area is 893 acres of CDFW land in Fresno County, in CDFW's 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.
BLMCDFW landLittle Panoche Reservoir WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 893 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Fresno |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | The use of dogs for wild pig hunting is prohibited. |
| Camping | Allowed only in parking lot, except during authorized dog trials when participants must adhere to conditions of Special Use Permit issued per subsection 550(n)(2) of these regulations. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Elk zone | Gabilan, San Luis Reservoir |
| Nearest towns | South Dos Palos (15 mi), Dos Palos (16 mi) and Firebaugh (19 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Little Panoche Reservoir WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed only in parking lot, except during authorized dog trials when participants must adhere to conditions of Special Use Permit issued per subsection 550(n)(2) of these regulations. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | The use of dogs for wild pig hunting is prohibited. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Self-registration is required on site. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Little Panoche Reservoir 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 Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area?
Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1973. It is 828 acres in the arid foothills on the western side of the San Joaquin Valley. Shrub-covered hills surround the reservoir. Kit fox, kangaroo rats, and over 100 species of birds, including golden eagles and California quail, can be found here. Past land use was primarily the grazing of cattle.
5 miles west of Hwy 5 and 30 miles west of Firebaugh, on the southern side of Little Panoche Rd.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Little Panoche Reservoir 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. The cattail-lined lake often provides good fishing.
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Little Panoche Reservoir WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 893 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
| Gabilan elk zone | 708 | Tags through the big game drawing |
| San Luis Reservoir elk zone | 185 | 4 elk taken in 2022 |
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 Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 6,627 acres of BLM land and 829 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: I-5. Nearest towns: South Dos Palos (15 miles), Dos Palos (16 miles), Firebaugh (19 miles) and Los Banos (19 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Little Panoche Reservoir 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. CDFW's closure: The use of dogs for wild pig hunting is prohibited.
Can you camp on Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in parking lot, except during authorized dog trials when participants must adhere to conditions of Special Use Permit issued per subsection 550(n)(2) of these regulations. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Little Panoche Reservoir 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 Little Panoche Reservoir Wildlife Area?
South Dos Palos (15 miles), Dos Palos (16 miles) and Firebaugh (19 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, Little Panoche Reservoir 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.