Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a large nature reserve on the high plateau of northeastern California with a lake surrounded by varied habitats. The shoreline features sagebrush, juniper, and bunchgrass, while the lake itself holds open water and small rocky islands.

The area was transformed in 1910 by a dam that converted seasonal meadows into a regulated water system. This structure enabled new ecosystems that now support millions of migratory birds during their annual journeys.

The refuge occupies traditional lands of the Modoc and other Native American tribes who lived on this volcanic plateau for thousands of years. Visitors can find traces of ancient habitation through archaeological sites scattered across the landscape.

The refuge is normally closed to visitors and can only be entered during hunting season for regulated waterfowl and pronghorn hunting. The best time to watch wildlife is from a distance during spring and fall migration when most birds pass through.

The lake holds small rocky islands that serve as nesting sites where American white pelicans and double-crested cormorants raise thousands of young birds each year. These islands are off-limits to visitors but offer compelling views of colonial nesting birds from afar.