Message From The Manager

Each of the aquatic preserves within the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves offers a unique visit of protected submerged state lands. A visit to any of the five managed aquatic preserves and you will see healthy mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds and oyster bars. Southwest Florida’s subtropical climate is home to a variety of animals as well, in addition to migrating birds. Although the areas are all connected by water, each offers unique vistas, worthy of the continued protection for the enjoyment of future generations.  

When visiting Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve, you can expect to see beautiful shallow seagrass beds, oyster beds exposed at low tide, nesting wading and diving birds in the spring, Florida manatees in the summer, just to name some of the natural beauty. You can enjoy the crystal blue-green water from the Gulf of America as it makes its way to Lemon Bay through Stump and Milton’s Pass, which is also located at Stump Pass State Park. The seven shallow water creeks that flow into Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve, providing protected areas to paddle, fish or just enjoy nature. 

Sincerely, 

Arielle Taylor-Manges