Hunting and Fishing in the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge

NOTICE - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
Many Refuge roads have been closed to vehicles because of flooding. Some are being reopened, but others are still too wet and will remain closed to vehicles. If the gates are closed, you are free to walk or bike in. The Dixie Mainline on the north side of the river is open, as is the Nature Drive/Loop Road on the river's south side. Side roads off Dixie County Highway 349 are mostly open. You can always call/text Andrew at 703.622.3896 before you come out to visit.

Hunting

Our Refuge has 200+ days across 10 different hunts from September to April.

Greg Lang, photo by Fish and Wildlife Service staff

The Fish and Wildlife Service featured the Lower Suwannee Refuge and former Friends president Greg Lang in a recent story about hunting on national wildlife refuges:

"Not even Swamp Ape legend deters hunters from flocking to Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge"

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
"Find Your Hunt" Map

Lower Suwannee NWR Hunting Regulations 2021-2022

Hunt Season 2021-2022 Summary
Hunt Permit Application
The Permit Vendor Code is 7800.
Hunting permits can only be purchased through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) licensing website, myfwc.com, a county tax office, or other outlets that sell State licenses.
Report deer taken to FWC’s Harvest Reporting System within 24 hours of harvest.

Hunting Regulations 2021-2022 Brochure

Fishing

The Refuge is open to fishing and falls entirely under the State of Florida's fishing regulations.

Fishing friends and Friends members Greg Lang and Paul Ramey at the Lower Suwannee NWR.
Photo credits to each other.

Greg and the redfish

Paul and the redfish

Greg and another redfish

Sheepshead in hand

Paul with trout

Fishing Success in Refuge Backwaters

As Friend’s former president Bob Hudson discovered, fishing the tidal creeks in the refuges can be a great way to spend a late fall day, as evidenced by the photos below.

Flats and backwater fishing areas are typically reached by boat. A small flats boat or fishing boat can be used, or even a kayak.

Some information and tips that may improve your fishing success include using tides and water currents to your advantage. Experienced anglers know that water movement allows game fish such as drum, flounder, snook, and trout to position into the flow and wait for food. At low tide, fish can be plentiful as they pool in areas in backwater creeks.

Anglers choose different gear to attract and land their favorite catches in the backwaters. They'll use both sinking and topwater lures, live shrimp with a popping cork, or baits without the cork on jigheads.

Access the detailed maps below for some of the refuge’s best fishing spots and tidal creeks including Atsena Otie, Cedar Key Airport, McCormick and Barnett Creeks, Shell Mound, Suwannee River, and Shired Island.

Whether you’re a catch-and-release angler, or you long to get some catches in the cooler, enjoy your day on the water!