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Boating: Freshwater Ramps
 Table of Contents
IntroductionThe Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is pleased to provide you with this web guide to Commission boat ramps. Florida is blessed with wonderful freshwater fishing and boating opportunities. Besides being home to the Florida largemouth bass and numerous other game fish, we have over 3 million acres of lakes and 12,000 miles of rivers and streams. As of 1 July, 2003, the boating and fishing access program is collocated with boating safety in the Office of Water Ways Management, within the Division of Law Enforcement. The Commission is responsible for management of our state's freshwater fisheries resources. Fishermen and boaters help fund management of these valuable resources through their purchase of state fishing licenses. These state-generated dollars are then matched with federal dollars generated by the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act. A portion of these monies has been used by the Commission to build over 200 boat ramps, install 56 fish attractors on 32 water bodies and manage 79 fish management lakes which includes 19 urban ponds throughout the state. On these web pages, you will find listings and directions to all current Commission boat ramp facilities. Boating safety and general launching suggestions are also provided. Awareness and education for all of Florida's boaters -- residents and nonresidents -- will make our waters safer and more enjoyable. THE FEDERAL AID TO SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAMThe Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program (Formerly known as the Dingell-Johnson (D-J) or Wallop-Breaux) is a "user-pays, user benefits" program seeking to improve sport fishing and boating opportunities. Federal funds are collected from taxes on fishing tackle and motor fuels, and import duties on tackle and yachts. The money is returned to appropriate State Agencies for research, management and development activities that deal with sport fish. For every $4.00 the state spends, these funds repay $3.00. Federal law requires 12.5% of these funds must go to building and repairing boat ramps. Another part of the fund is used for stocking fish, providing Urban Fisheries Programs and placing fish attractors. In addition, 15 major freshwater Fisheries Projects within the Division of Freshwater Fisheries depend on these funds to continually improve the quality of fishing you enjoy. Also, some of the money is used to fund an "Aquatic Resource Education Program" to inform youths, anglers and resource managers about important concepts of habitat, fisheries preservation/enhancement, ethics and fishing skills. The Sport Fish Restoration logo now appears on fishing tackle and many other items, the purchase of which supports the program. You will also see the logo on boat ramp signs, brochures and other products produced for you with these funds. This user-pays, user-benefits program has been one of the most highly acclaimed of Federal/State cooperative ventures since its inception in 1950 and has greatly expanded in the past decade to benefit anglers and boaters. BOAT RAMP PROJECT INFORMATIONSince the mid-1950's, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has built boat ramps in the State that are available to the boating public free of charge. Most sites are open 24 hours a day. The Commission currently maintains approximately 200 access sites which represents approximately 25% of all the State's freshwater ramps. Due to the public need for access, the Commission staffs a full-time crew to handle construction and repair. Power loading has caused many of the State's ramps to age prematurely. Early ramps were not built to handle the prop wash caused by power loading. Many ramps have been undermined by prop wash and collapsed. Also a sediment berm or delta is formed waterward of the ramp by power loaders and can block boater access to adjacent waters during low water periods. New ramp designs are utilized by the Commission to reduce damage caused by power loading. However, it is preferable not to race your engine while loading.
New sites are being added to our program each year. To qualify, each site must be at least two acres in size and have at least 90 feet of water frontage. The owner of the land must be willing to deed the property or grant a permanent easement for the site to the FWC. A Cooperator Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding is entered into between the Commission and a local governing body for upland maintenance of the facility. This project is funded in part by Sport Fish Restoration monies made available by the Department of the Interior and the State Game and Fish Trust Fund. Sport Fish Restoration funds are generated by a tax on sporting equipment and motorboat fuels.
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Current site designs call for upgrading facilities to provide universal accessibility for the disabled. This entails constructing upland parking and paths for the physically impaired. At many sites, floating dock systems will be placed for better access as monies become available. Project staff are working with county and city personnel to ensure all work at these sites is universally accessible. Universal accessibility for the disabled not only guarantees that a facility is accessible to everyone, but also provides a safer and easier facility for all users. Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
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