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Econfina Creek WMA - Fitzhugh Carter Tract

Econfina Carter

Managed in cooperation with the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

An independent parcel of Econfina Creek Wildlife Management Area, named the Fitzhugh Carter Tract, lies just west of Highway 77, five miles north of Highway 20 in the Greenhead community. This 2,175-acre tract contains a wide variety of habitat types, including xeric sandhill uplands, portions of upper Pine Log Creek, various wetland habitats and clear, sand-bottomed lakes. Non-native sand and slash pine plantations have been harvested, and the uplands are currently being restored to their original condition of longleaf pine and wiregrass.

While it is in part a wildlife management area, the Carter Tract is also a mitigation bank property, purchased by the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) to offset development impacts to other wetlands in the surrounding areas. The primary objective of the Carter Tract is the preservation and restoration of the wetlands and surrounding uplands on the property. Thus, recreational use is limited and more intensively managed on this wildlife management area than most others in the Northwest Region. While the Carter Tract is open to access on foot everyday during daylight hours, public vehicle access is limited to Friday through Monday (except during established hunting seasons) and is restricted to improved roads. Camping, swimming, horseback riding, use of bicycles and ATVs are all prohibited on the area.

The Carter Tract was operated as a popular fishing ranch by its owner, Mr. Fitzhugh Carter, in the 1960's and 1970's. During drought conditions, some of the old cypress boats Mr. Carter built and rented to anglers can be seen exposed on pond banks throughout the area. The tract was later leased as a private hunting area. Knowing the rich history of recreational use and recognizing its potential for high quality recreational opportunities, NWFWMD entered into an agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to manage the property for limited recreational use and to conduct ongoing monitoring of fish and wildlife resources. Recreational activities include seasonal hunting, fishing, hiking and bird watching. Visitors to the area will often spot white-tailed deer, wild turkey, songbirds and wading birds, including little blue herons, tricolored herons and snowy egrets.

Add your bird observations to the Econfina Creek WMA - Fitzhugh Carter Tract eBird Hotspot.

The Special Opportunity Fishing Program on the Carter Tract provides a unique opportunity for anglers of all ages to fish in cypress and sand-bottomed ponds that are characteristic to this region of Florida.  The fishing program operates four days per week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) year-round with the exception of established hunting seasons.  Boats are located on the lakes for use free of charge, and life jackets and paddles are provided.  For more information about the Carter Tract or to reserve a boat, please call 850-773-2631.

Dogs on this WMA

  • For purposes other than hunting, dogs are allowed, but must be kept under physical restraint at all times. Dogs are prohibited in areas posted as "Closed to Public Access" by FWC administrative action. No person shall allow any dog to pursue or molest any wildlife during any period in which the taking of wildlife by the use of dogs is prohibited.
  • Check the regulations summary brochure for hunting with dogs.

More Information

  • View FWC's regulations summary brochure for Econfina Creek Fitzhugh Carter Tract for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, fees and area regulations.