Mendota Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Mendota Wildlife Area is 12,103 acres of CDFW land in Fresno County, in CDFW's Central Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type A: hunter access is restricted in waterfowl season and a hunting pass is needed. 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.
CDFW landOther state or federal landMendota WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 12,103 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Fresno |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | Closed to all visitor use from September 16 until the opening of waterfowl season except for the designated tour route and fishing site. |
| Camping | Allowed only in checking station parking lot, and only during waterfowl season. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Tranquillity (2 mi), Mendota (2 mi) and San Joaquin (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Mendota Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, Mendota WA needs a hunting pass bought in advance and exchanged for an entry permit in waterfowl season, with set shoot days (Section 551(e)).
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed only in checking station parking lot, and only during waterfowl season. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all visitor use from September 16 until the opening of waterfowl season except for the designated tour route and fishing site. Closed to non-hunting uses during the waterfowl season. |
| Additional hunting | Whole area | Raccoon, rabbit, crow, and quail Self-registration is required. Raccoon may not be taken during waterfowl season. Eurasian collared dove hunting allowed during mourning dove open season. Snipe hunting allowed only on waterfowl shoot days during the general waterfowl season. |
| Lands pass | Whole area | Listed in section 551(w): a visitor must carry a valid Lands Pass, or a valid hunting or fishing license, to enter. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Mendota 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 Mendota Wildlife Area?
In California's Central Valley, Mendota Wildlife Area is seasonally flooded, producing freshwater wetlands that attract an array migrating waterfowl. Dove, pheasant and other species may also be present in the surrounding hills, scrublands and riparian forest of this area.
This property exists adjacent to the Alkalai Sink Ecological Reserve. There is no hunting or fishing permitted on the Reserve.
From CDFW's page for Mendota Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Mendota Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Mendota WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 12,103 | 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 Mendota Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 13,008 acres of CDFW land and 2,029 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Mendota Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Mendota, take Highway 180 east (N San Benito Avenue) toward the intersection with W Panoche Road. Bear left, continuing on Highway 180 east (W Whitesbridge Avenue). The entrance to the Wildlife Area is on the right. Total distance is about 3 miles.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 33, I-5 and CA 180. Nearest towns: Tranquillity (2 miles), Mendota (2 miles), San Joaquin (6 miles) and Firebaugh (10 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Mendota Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: Closed to all visitor use from September 16 until the opening of waterfowl season except for the designated tour route and fishing site. Closed to non-hunting uses during the waterfowl season.
Can you camp on Mendota Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in checking station parking lot, and only during waterfowl season. 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 Mendota 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 Mendota Wildlife Area?
Tranquillity (2 miles), Mendota (2 miles) and San Joaquin (6 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, Mendota 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.