A Wildlife and Agricultural Oasis

tule lake national wildlife refuge illustration by j. Ivie

A Surprising Place, Managed and Wild –
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in the fertile and intensely farmed
Tule Lake Basin of northeastern California. It was established in 1928 by President
Calvin Coolidge as a,“preserve and breeding ground for wild birds and animals.”
 This 39,116-acre refuge is mostly open water and  crop land.  
Approximately 17,000 acres are leased by potato, onion, horse radish, alfalfa,
and cereal grains within the Public Lease Lands program administered by the
U.S Bureau of Reclamation. Permit holders farm an additional 1,900 acres
in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

map of Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges

Two Refuges, United in Purpose, Separated by a Volcanic Ridge –
The refuge is a significant staging area for migrating waterfowl during
spring and fall migrations. It is used primarily by whitefronted, snow,
Ross, and cackling Canada geese, all of which nest in the Arctic
tundra.Tule Lake hunting opportunities consist of two large marsh units
accessible by boats, a spaced-blind hunt in dry fields, and open free-roam
areas offering field hunts over harvested grain and smaller marsh units.
A 10-mile auto tour route allows for wildlife observation
throughout the year.

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©2014 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.