California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Home Lands Wildlife Areas Region 1 Ash Creek Wildlife Area

Ash Creek Wildlife Area - Lassen/Modoc County

fishing Waterfowl Hunting Allowed Pheasant Hunting Allowed restrooms Wildlife Viewing Hiking
The symbols above are activities permitted on this Wildlife Area. Click for more info.

Location: Lassen and Modoc Counties - Highway 299, 4 miles northeast of Bieber.

Phone Number: (530) 294-5824

Map: Directional Map (PDF)

Description: 14,754 acres located in the heart of Big Valley. The 3,000 acres of natural wetlands are created by the seasonal flow of six streams. Ash Creek is one of the most remote, least improved, and most pristine of all of CDFW's wildlife areas. Pronghorn, sandhill cranes and bald eagles are among the many animals found here.

ATTENTION WATERFOWL HUNTERS: Phase one of the restoration project has been completed. Normal operating procedures have resumed. Most of the new ponds are full. Due to changing water conditions, please contact the wildlife area at 530-294-5824 for current conditions. Elkins Ln is closed due to recent flooding. The new ponds that were excavated during the restoration project vary in size from less than 1 acre to several acres. The ponds are located throughout the project area with an average depth of 4-7 feet. The side slopes entering the ponds may be steep in some areas. The use of a retrieving dog is highly recommended.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Over the next two years, the Ash Creek Wildlife Area will undergo a major 3,485 acre wetland restoration project. Ash Creek and its associated floodplain are degraded due to channel incision and flood flows rarely accessing the floodplain. The degradation is causing the wet meadow vegetation to be replaced with upland grassland and sagebrush type habitats. A proven restoration technique known as "pond and plug" will be used to restore the natural form and function of the stream channels and floodplain. Approximately 80 "ponds" will be excavated creating 150 acres of additional wetlands. The excavated material will then be used to "plug" the incised channels. Other project components include installation of a pipeline for improved wetland management, a redesign of County Rd. 87A and removing levees within the floodplain which cause floodplain constriction.

Due to the size and scope of this important project, public use will be limited during the construction period. Waterfowl hunters may see limited opportunities early in the 2012 season. Updates will be posted on this website.
Thank you for your patience during this important project. For further information, please contact the Ash Creek Wildlife Area at 530-294-5824 or Jim Chakarun at 530-527-8917.

Special Restrictions: No person shall enter or leave the wildlife area except at designated entry points. Pronghorn antelope may be taken during junior hunts only.

Access: From Highway 299 at the town of Bieber take Bieber Lookout Road north; from Highway 299 at the town of Adin take Lookout Road west.

Description: Ash Creek is one of the most remote, least improved, and most pristine of all of CDFW's Wildlife Areas. Located in the heart of Big Valley, these 14,577 acres preserve freshwater wetlands created by the seasonal flow of six streams, including Ash Creek. Other natural communities include vernal pools and upland sagebrush.

Recreational Use: Type B Wildlife Area

  • Camping, birdwatching, fishing, and wildlife viewing are permitted. Among the mammals seen here are Pronghorn antelope, beaver, and bobcat. Bird species include numerouse waterfowl species, sandhill cranes, falcons, sage grouse, short-eared owls, and bald eagles. See attached birding checklist for additional bird species seen at Ash Creek.

Hunting: Permitted for waterfowl, coots, moorhens, doves, snipe, and pheasants during open seasons

Facilities: Restrooms, camping, informational kiosk

PLEASE NOTE: Area regulations are subject to change. Special restrictions on recreational uses, hunt days and methods of take are listed in the current year's issue of Hunting and Other Public Uses on State and Federal Areas, available at CDFW offices and places where licenses are sold.

KC/WLB 2/09