Hunting on Public Land

Escambia River
Wildlife Management Area

A quota permit is not required for hunting in the Escamia River Wildlife Management Area. Recreational access is allowed.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says the Escambia River WMA is managed in cooperation with the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

The Escambia River WMA consists of more than 34,000 acres bordering 25 miles of the Escambia River from CR 4 south to near Pensacola in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Much of the river is bordered by floodplain forest. Water levels fluctuate considerably throughout the year, subject to rainfall amounts.

Hunting is permitted in season. A boat is needed to access most of the area, but vehicle access is possible at Cotton Landing, Little Williams, Bogia Road, Mystic Springs, Bluff Springs and Salters Lake in Escambia County. Vehicle access in Santa Rosa County is available at Quintette Landing, Webb Landing, Keyser Landing, and Williams Lake.

Primitive camping is permitted throughout the area and one group campsite is available at Mystic Springs with a permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District (850-539-5999).

Fishing is the major recreational draw in this area. The Escambia River has the richest assemblage of freshwater fish of any river in Florida, including numerous sportfish species — shadow bass, warmouth, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, spotted bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, chain pickerel, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunshine bass. Numerous boat launches are available along the Escambia River.

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