Gold Panning

January 27, 2022

Question: Is recreational gold panning allowed in creeks of the Spenceville Wildlife Area east of Marysville?

Answer: No. Recreational gold mining or panning is not allowed on any CDFW owned lands. CCR, Title 14, section 550(g)(3) states: Except for the take of fish and/or wildlife in compliance with general and site-specific hunting and fishing regulations, or under written authorization from the department to conduct environmental research or environmental education, no visitor shall cut, saw, trim, remove or disturb any plant, mammal, fish, mollusk, crustacean, amphibian, reptile, soil, sand, gravel, rock, mineral or any other form of plant or animal life on department land, except that non-woody vegetation may be cut and used for temporary hunting blinds.