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Northwest Florida Water Management District |
The 5,456-acre Perdido River Wildlife Management Area includes 15 miles
of frontage on the Perdido River, which forms the border between Alabama
and Florida, west of Pensacola. Habitats include hardwood swamps in the
river floodplain, eight perennial streams, mixed hardwood/pine, and
commercial forestland. The latter will be restored, primarily, to native
longleaf pine/wiregrass habitat. Seepage slopes, flatwoods and wet
prairie areas within the river basin are home to rare pitcher plants.
The Perdido River discharges into Perdido Bay, a shallow estuary about
15 miles west of Pensacola. Protection of habitat along the river helps
protect water quality in the bay, which provides spawning, nursery and
adult habitat for a variety of commercially and recreationally important
species. The river and its tributaries also support several species of
rare and imperiled fish including the saltmarsh topminnow and the
Atlantic sturgeon. Wildlife species on the area include white-tailed
deer, feral hogs, turkey and a variety of resident and migratory birds.
This land,
acquired in 2006, is owned and managed by the Northwest Florida Water
Management District, and is open for public use year-around.
Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, picnicking and
wildlife viewing. Future plans call for a recreational water trail with
several access points for canoes, kayaks and small boats and designated
trails for equestrians and hikers. One canoe/kayak landing and one small
boat ramp are currently open for use. Scheduled hunts include archery, muzzleloading gun, small game, family hunt, general gun, archery/muzzleloading
gun and spring turkey. Fishing and frogging are permitted year-round. A
quota hunt permit is required for archery, muzzleloading gun, family
hunt, general gun, archery/muzzleloading gun and spring turkey.
Motorized vehicles may be operated on named or numbered roads;
horses are allowed on designated horse trails. ATVs and alcoholic
beverages are prohibited. Camping is not currently permitted, but may be
in the future. |
