Location
Key Information
| 32 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 101 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Unmodified)
2.0
October 2023
Feedback and Data Requests
Purpose
To preserve and protect rapidly disappearing wetlands as well as San Pablo Bay's prime location within the Pacific Flyway. The refuge was created in 1974 to protect migratory birds, wetland habitat, and endangered species. The refuge and San Pablo Bay supports the largest wintering population of canvasbacks on the west coast, and protects the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse and the California clapper rail. Numerous other threatened, endangered, and sensitive species require tidal marsh habitat for their survival, including 11 fish species that swim through San Pablo Bay to reach their freshwater spawning grounds.
Species of Concern: Multiple
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
1. No person shall take any animal or plant on any national wildlife refuge, except as authorized by state or federal law Bow fishing and gigging are prohibited.
2. Launching boats and access to the bay or sloughs is prohibited from refuge property except from designated boat launch sites (Cullinan Ranch Unit and Dickson Ranch Unit).
Allowed
1. Sport fishing is allowed on designated areas of the refuge only with a pole and line or rod and reel.
2. Only nonmotorized crafts are allowed at the Cullinan Ranch Unit and Dickson Ranch Unit launch sites.