Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area is 4,342 acres of CDFW land in Marin and Sonoma counties, in CDFW's Bay Delta 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, moorhen, and rabbit only. 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 landNational wildlife refugeState parkOther state or federal landPetaluma Marsh WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 4,342 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| Counties | Marin and Sonoma |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, moorhen, and rabbit only. |
| Closures | The Bahia, Day Island, Green Point, Novato Creek, Point Sonoma, and Rush Creek units are closed to hunting, firearms, and archery use. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Novato (next to it), Black Point-Green Point (next to it) and Lucas Valley-Marinwood (3 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Petaluma Marsh 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 | The Bahia, Day Island, Green Point, Novato Creek, Point Sonoma, and Rush Creek units are closed to hunting, firearms, and archery use. Dogs are prohibited on all units from March 2 through June 30. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. All firearms and archery equipment are prohibited on the Bahia, Day Island, Green Point, Novato Creek, Point Sonoma, and Rush Creek units. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coot, moorhen, and rabbit only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Petaluma Marsh 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 Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
This wildlife area is comprised of several units totaling approximately 4,200 acres of tidal salt marsh, mudflats, coastal oak woodlands, and coastal scrub habitats. It is comprised of several units including: Petaluma River, Burdell, Bahia, Black John, Day Island, Green Point, Novato Creek, Point Sonoma, and Rush Creek. The Petaluma River Unit is the largest remaining natural tidal brackish marsh in California, supporting primarily pickleweed, cordgrass, alkali bulrush, and saltgrass.
The upland habitat in the area supports deer, raccoons, jackrabbits, and foxes, among others. Migratory bird species use the area most heavily during the fall and winter months, but many can be found year round. Wetland bird species include willits, curlews, dowitchers, night herons, and black-bellied plovers.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Waterfowl, coots, moorhens, and rabbits may be present.
CDFW lists small game, upland game birds and waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: No restrooms are available on CDFW property.
From CDFW's page for Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Petaluma Marsh WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 4,342 | 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 Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 11,856 acres of CDFW land, 4,837 acres of national wildlife refuge, 2,581 acres of other state or federal land and 728 acres of state park land.
How do you get to Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Accessible by boat only via the Petaluma River.
CDFW's location note: Public Boat Launch Ramps:,br /> Novato, Black Point: From Highway 37, take the Black Point exit. The launch is under the highway along the south side of the Highway 37/Petaluma River Bridge. Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 37, CA 116, CA 121 and CA 12. Nearest towns: Novato (next to it), Black Point-Green Point (next to it), Lucas Valley-Marinwood (3 miles) and Petaluma (4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, moorhen, and rabbit only. CDFW's closure: The Bahia, Day Island, Green Point, Novato Creek, Point Sonoma, and Rush Creek units are closed to hunting, firearms, and archery use. Dogs are prohibited on all units from March 2 through June 30.
Can you camp on Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Petaluma Marsh 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 Petaluma Marsh Wildlife Area?
Novato (next to it), Black Point-Green Point (next to it) and Lucas Valley-Marinwood (3 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, Petaluma Marsh 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.