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Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area

Seminole Forest Black Water Creek

Managed in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service.

Seminole Forest Wildlife Management Area is located in northeastern Lake County. Its more than 12,000 acres are part of a vast network of public lands that protect thousands of acres of streams, springs, sand pine scrub, swamps and pine flatwoods associated with the Wekiva and St. Johns Rivers. Blackwater Creek flows through the forest into the Wekiva River, which forms the area's eastern boundary. 

The area is open to public access year-round except during the general gun mobility impaired hunts, when only individuals participating in the hunts, their assistants and through-hikers on the Florida National Scenic Trail are allowed access to the area. Vehicle access is allowed only on those days that hunting is allowed. At all other times, vehicle access is regulated by the Florida Forest Service. For more information call 352-589-1762.

Hunting

For information about regulations and hunting seasons on the area, see Seminole Forest regulations summary brochure.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed during periods open to hunting and at other times as access is permitted by the Florida Forest Service.

For information about fishing regulations, see the Seminole Forest WMA regulations summary brochure.

A Florida fishing license is required and can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Camping

Camping is prohibited during hunting seasons, except hikers may camp at designated primitive campsites along the Florida Trail throughout the year. During non-hunting periods, camping is allowed.

For information about reserving campsites see the Florida Forest Service's Seminole State Forest web page.

Recreation

Hikers can choose from over 30 miles of trails, including segments of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The forest may also be explored by bicycle, horseback and canoe or kayak. For more information on recreation, see the  Seminole State Forest webpage.

See also the Seminole Forest WMA regulations summary brochure.

Wildlife

Scrub-jays, black bears, white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, alligators, turtles and otters are found on the area.

Seminole State Forest is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Add your bird observations to the Seminole Forest eBird Hotspot.

Bear Pond, a 13-acre former borrow pit, has been stocked with numerous game fish and is a good place to observe wading birds.

More Information

See also the Seminole State Forest web page.

View FWC's Seminole Forest WMA regulations summary brochure for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, rules about dogs, fees and area regulations.