Willow Creek Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Willow Creek Wildlife Area is 2,753 acres of CDFW land in Lassen County, in CDFW's Northern Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type B: hunter access is restricted in waterfowl season and a hunting pass is needed. It lies in deer Zone X4, where CDFW estimates 173 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 landWillow Creek WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,753 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Lassen |
| Wildlife area type | Type B |
| Closures | Closed to all public uses from September 16 until the opening of waterfowl season. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X4, Zone X5a |
| Pronghorn zone | Pronghorn Zone 4 (Lassen) |
| Nearest towns | Susanville (8 mi), Stones Landing (9 mi) and Spaulding (10 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Willow Creek Wildlife Area?
As a Type B area, Willow Creek WA needs a Type A or Type B season hunting pass in waterfowl season, with set shoot days (Section 551(e)).
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all public uses from September 16 until the opening of waterfowl season. During the waterfowl and pheasant hunt seasons, the wildlife area is closed to all public use with the exception of Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays for hunting only. |
| 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 Willow Creek Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
Which hunt zones is Willow Creek Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Willow Creek WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X4 | 1,408 | 173 deer taken in 2025, 37.3% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
| Deer Zone X5a | 1,345 | 47 deer taken in 2025, 68.1% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
| Pronghorn Zone 4 (Lassen) | 2,753 | 65 pronghorn taken in 2023 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Willow Creek WA: hunt A-7 (Zone X-4 Archery Hunt), hunt M-4 (Horse Lake Muzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt) and hunt A-8 (Zone X-5a Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Pronghorn Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Willow Creek Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 25,958 acres of BLM land and 2,751 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Willow Creek Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: CA 139. Nearest towns: Susanville (8 miles), Stones Landing (9 miles), Spaulding (10 miles) and Johnstonville (11 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Willow Creek Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type B. CDFW's closure: Closed to all public uses from September 16 until the opening of waterfowl season. During the waterfowl and pheasant hunt seasons, the wildlife area is closed to all public use with the exception of Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays for hunting only.
Can you camp on Willow Creek Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Willow Creek Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Willow Creek Wildlife Area in?
Zone X4 (1,408 acres) and Zone X5a (1,345 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 173 deer were taken in Zone X4 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Willow Creek Wildlife Area?
Susanville (8 miles), Stones Landing (9 miles) and Spaulding (10 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, Willow Creek 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.