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Northwest Florida Water Management
District |
Escambia River WMA consists of more than 34,000
acres bordering 25 miles of the Escambia River from CR 4 south
to near Pensacola in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Much of
the river is bordered by floodplain forest. Water levels
fluctuate considerably throughout the year, subject to rainfall
amounts. Hunting is permitted in season. A boat is needed to
access most of the area, but vehicle access is possible at
Cotton Landing, Little Williams, Bogia Road, Mystic Springs,
Bluff Springs and Salters Lake in Escambia County. Vehicle
access in Santa Rosa County is available at Quintette Landing,
Webb Landing, Keyser Landing, and Williams Lake. Primitive camping is permitted
throughout the area and one group campsite is available at
Mystic Springs with a permit from the Northwest Florida Water
Management District (850-539-5999). Fishing is the major
recreational draw in this area. The Escambia River has the
richest assemblage of freshwater fish of any river in Florida,
including numerous sportfish species — shadow bass, warmouth,
bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish,
spotted bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, chain pickerel,
blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunshine
bass. Numerous boat launches are available along the Escambia
River. |