Klamath Basin Refuges

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Klamath Basin Refuges This is the official page for the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Bureau of Reclamation.

The Klamath Basin Refuge Complex is made up of six (6) individual refuges all managed from one main office located in Tulelake, CA. The following are the descriptions of our individual refuges:
•Lower Klamath NWR, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, Lower Klamath Refuge is our nation’s first waterfowl refuge. This 46,900 acre Refuge is a varied mix of shallow freshwater marshes, open water, grassy uplands, and croplands that are intensively managed to provide feeding, resting, nesting, and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl and other water birds.
•Clear Lake NWR, Established in 1911, this 46,460 acre Refuge consists of approximately 20,000 acres of open water surrounded by upland habitat of bunchgrass, low sagebrush, and juniper. Small rocky islands in the lake provide nesting sites for the American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, and other colonial nesting birds. The upland areas serve as habitat for pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and sage grouse.
•Upper Klamath NWR, was established in 1928 and is comprised of 15,000 acres of mostly freshwater marsh and open water. These habitats serve as excellent nesting and brood rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds including American white pelican and several heron species.
•Tule Lake NWR, established in 1928, Tule Lake Refuge encompasses 39,116 acres of mostly open water and croplands. Approximately 17,000 acres are leased by farmers under a program administered by the U.S. Refuge permit holders farm another 1,900 acres of cereal grain and alfalfa. These crops, together with the waste grain and potatoes from the lease program are a major food source for migrating and wintering waterfowl •Klamath Marsh NWR, established in 1958, consists of 40,646 acres (164 km) of freshwater marsh and adjacent meadows.
•Bear Valley NWR, Bear Valley Refuge was established in 1978 to protect a vital night roost site for wintering bald eagles. The Refuge consists of 4,200 acres, primarily of old growth ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white and Douglas fir. These mature stands of trees have open branching patterns of large limbs which allow easy eagle access and can support many birds.
•Klamath Marsh NWR, Klamath Marsh Refuge was established in 1958 when approximately 16,400 acres were purchased from the Klamath Indians with Federal Duck Stamp Funds. In 1990 and 1998, additional acquisitions boosted Refuge acreage to 40,646. Originally designated as Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge, the Refuge was recently renamed as virtually all of the historic Klamath Marsh now lies within Refuge boundaries. This large natural marsh provides important nesting, feeding, and resting habitat for waterfowl, while the surrounding meadowlands are attractive nesting and feeding areas for sand hill crane, yellow rail, and various shorebirds and raptors.

Attention: DANGER: Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge Recent water-quality testing at Tu...
09/23/2026

Attention:
DANGER: Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Recent water-quality testing at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge has detected harmful algae/toxins at levels that may pose a health risk to people and animals.

The refuge remains open to hunting; however, we strongly recommend that people and pets avoid contact with the water.
Please follow the DANGER advisory shown in the attached notice

More information:
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/

Harmful Algal Blooms and Your Health | Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)-Associated Illness | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/about/

Under California’s DANGER-level guidance, people and pets should stay out of affected water
Hunters should take additional precautions because hunting activities may involve wading, boating, retrieving harvested birds, and the use of hunting dogs. Hunters are encouraged to bring adequate clean water for themselves and their animals and minimize any activity that could result in splashing, spraying, swallowing, or prolonged skin contact with refuge water.

If a person develops symptoms after exposure, contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If a dog or other animal becomes ill following exposure, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Additional Hunter Safety Notice — H5N1 Avian Influenza
H5N1 avian influenza continues to circulate in wild birds. CDC considers the current risk to the general public low, but hunters have greater exposure because they handle wild birds and may contact contaminated surfaces or environments.

More information:
CDC — Hunters and Bird Flu
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/risk-factors/hunters-and-bird-flu.html

California CDFW — Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/

CDC — Preventing Bird Flu Infections
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/

Lower Klamath NWR Hunt Map 2026
09/09/2026

Lower Klamath NWR Hunt Map 2026

Upper Klamath NWR Hunt Map 2026
09/09/2026

Upper Klamath NWR Hunt Map 2026

2026 Tule Lake NWR Hunt Map
09/09/2026

2026 Tule Lake NWR Hunt Map

PUBLIC HABITAT & HUNT INFORMATION MEETING SETA public habitat conditions and hunt information meeting will be held on Tu...
08/25/2026

PUBLIC HABITAT & HUNT INFORMATION MEETING SET

A public habitat conditions and hunt information meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located at 4064 Hill Rd., Tulelake, CA.

We recognize that not everyone will be able to attend. The meeting presentation will be posted afterward on the refuge’s page and website.

To help us address questions and concerns from all users as effectively as possible, feel free to submit questions in advance by email to [email protected] no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge:Draft Compatibility Determination for Haying and Prescriptive GrazingThe U.S. Fis...
06/04/2026

Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge:
Draft Compatibility Determination for Haying and Prescriptive Grazing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces a 30-day public comment period for the draft compatibility determination for haying and grazing at Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

Grazing and haying are ongoing refuge uses that were determined to be compatible in 2010, when the Service issued the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment.

Stakeholders, Tribes, and members of the public are invited to submit comments and information relevant to the draft compatibility determination by email to [email protected]

Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, July 3, 2026.

Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge wetlands are primarily wet meadows with some open water wetlands. This natural plant community is maintained by a program of cattle grazing, haying and prescribed fire to create fall and spring feeding habitat for waterfowl and sandhill cranes.

Announcement: Proposed Expansion of Hunting OpportunitiesThe Department of the Interior has announced a proposed expansi...
05/26/2026

Announcement: Proposed Expansion of Hunting Opportunities

The Department of the Interior has announced a proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities across the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System.

The proposal would open or expand more than 1,450 hunting and fishing opportunities at 107 National Wildlife Refuges and four National Fish Hatcheries across 32 states, making it the largest proposed expansion of its kind in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The proposal includes potential expanded hunting opportunities on Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges. A 30-day public comment period for proposed changes at Klamath Basin Refuges will begin tomorrow, May 27, 2026.

Public review and input are an important part of this process.

For more information about the proposed expansion of hunting opportunities, please visit the links below:

https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-05/department-interior-announces-proposed-expansion-hunting-and-fishing

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a1d3696824544008b85a237f7cd582b7

https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-10465/national-wildlife-refuge-system-2026-2027-station-specific-hunting-and-sport-fishing-regulations

Expanding and Updating the Hunt Program at Lower Klamath, Tule Lake, and Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuges

Happy Earth Day! It's looking like Spring on Lower Klamath with the Canada Geese broods starting to hatch. While most pa...
04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day!

It's looking like Spring on Lower Klamath with the Canada Geese broods starting to hatch. While most pairs have 2-8 goslings, sometimes they can end up with more.

📸 - Visitor Center Staff

04/01/2026

The sounds of spring!

What’s your favorite bird to see at the Discovery Marsh?
Come on out to the refuge and see how many species you can find with the changing of the seasons.
The Discovery Marsh is being refilled with water after some maintenance was done on the canoe trail these past few months and the blackbirds are singing about it.

Address

4064 Hill Rd
Tulelake, CA
96134

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15306672231

Website

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