FWC Division of Law Enforcement North Central Region
North Central Region
The North Central Region is one of Florida's most unique and diverse areas. The richness of the region's habitat and geography is encompassed within 49 wildlife management areas, a national forest, water management district lands, state parks, state preserves, freshwater rivers and lakes, coastal estuaries and the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. The 17 counties in this region offer abundant opportunities for boating, fresh and saltwater fishing, scalloping, hunting, birdwatching, horseback riding, hiking, and camping.
Contact Information
Phone:
386-758-0525
Address:
Regional Office
3377 East US Highway 90
Lake City, FL 32055
News and Updates
Boating Incident Statement
See the video for FWC’s statement about the boating incident that occurred in the St. Johns River Friday, March 21, at about 8 p.m.
On Monday, March 17 at about 5 p.m., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded alongside multiple agencies and community volunteers to search for two 16-year-old girls reported missing while paddleboarding in Cedar Key.
FWC officers joined forces with the U.S. Coast Guard, Levy County Sheriff’s Office, Levy County Fire and Rescue, Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park (DEP), Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Key Police Department, local commercial anglers, fishing charters, and volunteers from surrounding communities.
FWC initially deployed five vessels, including an airboat, offshore and inshore boats, a helicopter, and an airplane to aid in the search efforts, which continued into the night.
The following morning, March 18, additional FWC officers from neighboring counties arrived with additional inshore boats. At approximately 8:20 a.m., a Good Samaritan spotted the missing girls on an island south of Waccasassa near Lowes Bay and called 911. An airboat operator from Ozello Keys Marina reached the girls and transported them to the Waccasassa boat ramp, where they were reunited with their family before being evaluated at a nearby hospital.
See more search and rescue photos.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming response from partner agencies in Levy and surrounding communities, the support from Cedar Key City Commissioner Jeff Webb, the fishing community, and the public,” said Maj. Scott Lee, FWC North Central Regional Commander. “Our officers were committed to searching until they were found, and this is the best outcome we could ask for.”
Lieutenant Aubrey Ransom and Officer Seth Dean joined other law enforcement agencies and public service branches for Real Life Superheroes Day at the Rafter Cross Cowboy Church in Williston. This event provides children and teens the opportunity to engage with local first responders, learn about their roles, and get hands-on experience with job-related equipment.
Officer Dean and Lieutenant Ransom shared insights into the duties and responsibilities of an FWC officer, highlighting the agency’s mission to conserve Florida’s fish and wildlife resources. They also shared information about wildlife and let attendees see a juvenile alligator.
On Feb. 18, FWC officers patrolling Little Trout Creek in Levy County observed a vessel with one occupant and another standing on an oyster bed nearby. Harvesting oysters in this area of Little Trout Creek is prohibited. As officers approached, the vessel’s occupant discarded a burlap bag and the contents of a basket into the water. Upon retrieval, officers found the bag contained undersized and unculled oysters.
The two individuals were charged with nine misdemeanors, including obstructing an FWC officer, harvesting oysters in a prohibited area, failure to cull oysters, and multiple vessel and licensing violations. Both were booked into the Levy County Jail.
FWC officers arrest two for illegal oyster harvest.
The FWC Division of Law Enforcement Aviation recently partnered with the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Wildlife and Habitat Management Section to conduct prescribed burns using a delayed aerial ignition device. So far this season, the teams have completed two burns at Camp Blanding Wildlife Management Area, covering 1,500 and 1,800 acres.
Delayed aerial ignition devices offer the safest and most effective method for large-scale prescribed burns, enabling teams to treat 1,500 to 3,000 acres in a single day. In contrast, traditional ground-based burning could take up to two weeks to achieve the same coverage, requiring crews to ignite fires manually on foot or using ATVs—an approach that increases risks of injury, equipment failure, or entrapment. Aerial ignition also reduces smoke impact by consolidating emissions into a single event, typically starting around 10 a.m. and clearing by 5 p.m.
This collaboration builds on past efforts, with previous burns conducted in the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area as well as Aucilla and Big Bend WMAs. Prescribed burning plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health, reducing wildfire risk, and enhancing habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife species. Learn more about prescribed fire.
Find more photos related to using a delayed aerial ignition device to conduct prescribed burns.
Safe Boating Tips
Florida is recognized as “The Boating Capital of the World” and leads the nation with over a million registered vessels across the state. The FWC encourages boaters to stay safe on the water.
Safe Boating Tips