Recent water-quality testing at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge has detected harmful algae/toxins at levels requiring a DANGER advisory. These toxins may pose a health risk to people, pets, and other animals.
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge remains open to hunting. However, visitors and hunters are strongly advised to avoid contact with affected water.
Under California’s DANGER-level guidance, people and pets should stay out of affected water
Hunters should take additional precautions because hunting activities may involve wading, boating, retrieving harvested birds, and the use of hunting dogs. Hunters are encouraged to bring adequate clean water for themselves and their animals and minimize any activity that could result in splashing, spraying, swallowing, or prolonged skin contact with refuge water.
If a person develops symptoms after exposure, contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If a dog or other animal becomes ill following exposure, contact a veterinarian immediately.
More information:
Harmful Algal Blooms and Your Health | Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)-Associated Illness | CDC
Additional Hunter Safety Notice — H5N1 Avian Influenza
H5N1 avian influenza continues to circulate in wild birds. CDC considers the current risk to the general public low, but hunters have greater exposure because they handle wild birds and may contact contaminated surfaces or environments.
More information:
CDC — Hunters and Bird Flu
California CDFW — Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
CDC — Preventing Bird Flu Infections
Trails
National Wildlife Refuges are places where visitors can participate in a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Refuge managers do their best to balance the needs of wildlife, wetland preservation, and people, providing opportunities for people to connect with wild places by creating and maintaining a network of trails on your refuges. Tule Lake hosts a number of such trails
Discovery Marsh Trail, The first 1000 feet of the trail is paved and wheel chair accessible. All other sections are a crushed gravel surface. The trail is completely level and allows for easy walking. The entire loop is about one mile in length. Wildlife abounds on this trail, from mule deer to waterfowl, coyotes, to hawks.
Dave Champagne Canoe Trail, This family friendly self-guided canoe trail with all gear supplied by the refuge, is available May through October depending on the weather. To gear up, stop in the Refuge Visitor Center and get a map, personal floatation device, and paddles, then drive to the site and choose a canoe or kayak. There are a limited number of boats available so call ahead, the ranger on duty will be happy to answer your questions.
Sheepy Ridge Trail Located on the far side of the Visitor Center parking lot, the trail was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936, it ascends 1/3 of a mile up to a rocky overlook at the top of the ridge, 200 feet above the parking lot