Refuge Manager Andrew Gude can be reached by text or phone at 703.622.3896
Our Refuge has 200+ days across 10 different hunts from September to April.
Greg Lang, photo by Fish and Wildlife Service staff
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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" |
- Hunt Season 2020-21 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.
The Refuge is open to fishing and falls entirely under the State of Florida's fishing regulations.
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!
Red fish
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Spotted Trout
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The detailed guides below include tips, bait recommendations and more.
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532 Cedar Key, FL 32625 friends@friendsofrefuges.org We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. |
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