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Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park - Site # 253
This park preserves a fine example of a disappearing natural resource - the riverine habitat. The river’s various landscapes display great scenic beauty and constant change. The riparian plant and animal communities here depend strongly on each other. Massive oaks and cottonwoods give the dense shade needed for the survival of cool-water creatures. Thick understories of elderberry, wild grape, blackberry, wild rose and numerous perennials provide shelter to a diversified wildlife population. The park offers a great setting for observing and learning about the riparian community.
	Regional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species.
Background:	The Sacramento Valley has been a major wintering area for migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) along the Pacific Flyway. California is the winter destination of more than 60% of the waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway. This park provides views and access to the Sacramento River.
	Native California Indians The indigenous people of this area are known today as Northwestern Maidu (including Mechoopda Maidu). For about 4,500 years, they lived in a portion of the Sacramento A Valley, from west of the Sacramento River into the foothills above today’s Oroville and Chico. The oxbow lake along the river held a weir built by native people to trap fish. Today the area is called Indian Fishery.
The Habitat:	This park preserves a fine example of a disappearing natural resource - the riverine habitat. The river's various landscapes display great scenic beauty and constant change. The riparian plant and animal communities here depend strongly on each other. Massive oaks and cottonwoods give the dense shade needed for the survival of cool-water creatures. Thick understories of elderberry, wild grape, blackberry, wild rose and numerous perennials provide shelter to a diversified wildlife population. The park offers a great setting for observing and learning about the riparian community.
The Experience:	Willow and white alder stand among other native riparian trees. Button bush and wild blackberry hug the edges of the meandering river. Gravel bars are used by foraging water birds, nesting killdeer, spotted sandpipers and lesser nighthawks. Endangered yellowbilled cuckoos, nesting eagles, ospreys and Swainson’s hawks prefer Fremont’s cottonwood trees and the open grassland habitats. Threatened bank swallows nest in burrows along eroded riverbanks. Valley oak woodlands shelter owls, woodpeckers and bluebirds. Along shaded banks, juvenile salmon, beavers and river otters hide. Blue grosbeaks build nests in willow scrub. Water birds feed in the wetland areas, while sloughs and side channels provide shelter for nesting egrets and herons, as well as basking western pond turtles.
Wildlife and Where to Find It:	Watch 20 to 40 lb. salmon jump out of the water during spawning season, (July through December) You can listen to the beautiful sounds of redwinged blackbirds, variuos raptors and occasionally a yellow billed cuckoo. Migrating birds such as geese and ducks,green and great blue herons,egrets and sandhill cranes may be easily seen.
Viewing Tips:	Both native and introduced game fish may be caught from the banks or by trolling. Lucky anglers may hook a sturgeon, salmon, steelhead or shad. The oxbow lake at Indian Fishery holds introduced crappie, largemouth and striped bass, and bluegill.
Site Notes:	Indian Fishery Day Use Area Indian Fishery is an oxbow lake surrounded by a beautiful oak woodland. This is a wonderful area to picnic, bird watch, fish, hike or simply enjoy the wildlife that abounds in the ox bow lake. It is common to observe river otters darting through the water, turtles basking on a fallen tree or herons stalking a meal. Visit Indian Fishery and enjoy the grandeur of massive oaks and the rapidly disappearing river habitat. Big Chico Creek Day Use Area This area of the park is characterized by lush river habitat that opens up to a large gravel bar that fronts the Sacramento River. Here park visitors fish, swim, jet-ski, water-ski and sun bathe. This is also the location where many river rafts and tubes exit the river. Pine Creek Day Use Area Pine Creek is a popular location for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking and bird and wildlife watching. Those entering Pine Creek with a canoe or kayak can get a close look at some of the last vestiges of riparian habitat. Irvine Finch River Access This five-acre parking lot and launch ramp affords the park visitor an easy way to access the Sacramento River for boating, canoeing or floating down the river on inner tubes.
Nearby Viewing Sites:	Bidwell Park Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Colusa National Wildlife Refuge Llano Seco Gray Lodge Lake Oroville SRA
Festivals & Events:	Chico Snow Goose Festival Salmon Festival Oroville
Visitor Information:	Explore Butte County - (530) 918-4585 - https://www.explorebuttecounty.com/
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site:	No
Open:	Everday
Hours:	sunrise to sunset Hours and days of operation are
Year Round:	Yes
Seasonal:	Some areas are closed due to high water and flooding over sections of road.
Road Information:	Paved.  Gravel.  Dirt.
	Road Hazards: High water during rainy season
	Number of Parking Spaces: 50
	Parking Fee: Yes
	Proximity to viewing area:100 yards
	Pull-Through Parking: Yes
	Parking Notes: Parking fee subject to change.
How to Get There:	From Chico, take West Sacramento Ave. 5 miles until it intersects with River Road. Big Chico Creek is to the left, Indian Fishery straight ahead and Pine Creek is to the right. Irvine Finch River Access is located just west of the Hwy. 32 Sacramento River Bridge. From I-5 take the Highway 32 exit at Orland. Irvine Finch River Access is just East of Hamilton City. To access the rest of the park proceed East on Highway 32 and turn right on River Road. From I-5 take the Highway 32 exit at Orland. Irvine Finch River Access is just East of Hamilton City. To access the rest of the park proceed East on Highway 32 and turn right on River Road.
Contact Information
Managing Agency:	California State Parks
Agency Site URL:	https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=463
Physical Address:	12105 River Road Chico, CA 95926	Agency 2:	, CA
Manager Phone:	(530) 342-5185
Site Phone:	(530) 342-5185
County:	Butte/Glenn
Addition Website:	https://www.explorebuttecounty.com