Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area is located in California and is a popular destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers.


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Summary

It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. Visitors can observe these species from various viewing platforms and trails. The area also offers opportunities for fishing and hunting during certain seasons.

One of the main points of interest in the Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area is the large wetland habitat, which provides an important breeding ground for many species of birds. The area also features several creeks and ponds, which are home to a variety of fish species.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it was created as part of a larger conservation effort to restore wetland habitats in the Sacramento Valley. It is also home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Swainson's hawk and the giant garter snake.

The best time of year to visit the Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area is during the winter months when thousands of waterfowl migrate to the area. Spring and fall are also good times to visit when many species of shorebirds and raptors can be seen. It is recommended to check with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for specific hunting and fishing season dates.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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