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Northwest Florida Water Management
District |
In Walton
County, the Lafayette Creek WMA is a 3,160-acre tract east of
Eglin Air Force Base and west of the Choctawhatchee River. The
area lies within the Choctawhatchee River watershed, which spans
5,350 square miles in Florida and southeastern Alabama.
Lafayette Creek and its tributaries, Magnolia Creek and Wolf
Creek, run through the WMA. After leaving the site, Lafayette
Creek flows to Choctawhatchee Bay. Steephead ravines along
portions of Magnolia Creek are closed to hunting to protect the
steep slopes, the shallow, clear water and state-threatened Baltzell’s sedge and Mountain laurel that thrive in this fragile
habitat. Lafayette Creek is owned and operated by the Northwest
Florida Water Management District and is open for public use
year-around, during daylight hours only, when hunting is not
allowed. Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing,
hiking and wildlife viewing. Scheduled hunts include archery,
muzzleloading gun, small game, family hunt, general gun and
spring turkey. Fishing is permitted year-round during daylight
hours only, when hunting is not allowed. A quota hunt permit is
required for archery, muzzleloading gun, family hunt, general
gun and spring turkey. Motorized vehicles may be operated on named or numbered roads during hunting season; ATVs are
prohibited. Equestrian use is currently
prohibited, but may be permitted in the future when designated
horse trails are developed. |
