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Alligator Lake PSGHA
  pfs  4175

Regulations Summary and Area Map

July 01, 2024 - June 30, 2025
 
 
This brochure is designed to provide the public with information and a summary of regulations pertaining to hunting and other recreational use on the Alligator Lake Public Small-Game Hunting Area (PSGHA). Regulations that are new or differ substantially from last year are shown in bold print. Area users should familiarize themselves with all regulations. For exact wording of the wildlife laws and regulations, see Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) wildlife code, on file with the Secretary of State and state libraries. This brochure and the Florida Hunting Regulations handbook should provide the information necessary for you to plan your hunting activities. These publications are available at MyFWC.com.
 
Persons using PSGHAs are required to have appropriate licenses, permits and stamps. The following persons are exempt from all license and permit requirements (except for the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp [federal duck stamp], if applicable): Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older; residents who possess a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate; residents in the U.S. Armed Forces, not stationed in Florida, while home on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders; and children under 16 years of age. Children under 16 years of age are exempt from the federal duck stamp. Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975 must have passed a Commission-approved hunter-safety course prior to being issued a hunting license, except the Hunter Safety Mentoring exemption allows anyone to purchase a hunting license and hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter, 21 years of age or older.
 
Youth and mentor license holders are required to be accompanied by a supervisor during any hunt. A youth hunter (less than 16 years of age) must be supervised by a person at least 18 years of age. A mentor license holder must be supervised by a licensed hunter at least 21 years of age. Unless exempt, only those supervisors with proper licenses and permits may hunt.
 
Hunting licenses, management area permits, migratory bird permits and Florida waterfowl permits may be purchased from county tax collectors, license agents, by telephone at 888-486-8356 or at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. A no-cost Migratory Bird Permit is available when purchasing a hunting license. Any waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older must possess a federal duck stamp.

Quota Permit Information:
Quota permits are not required for this area.

Area Regulations
  • General
  • Public Access and Vehicles
  • Hunters
  • Guns
  • Dogs
  • Camping
  • Bag and Possession Limits
  • General Information
General Area Regulations:
All general laws and regulations relating to wild animal life or freshwater aquatic life shall apply unless specifically exempted for this area. Hunting or fishing on this area shall be allowed only during the open seasons and in accordance with the following regulations. The regulations in this brochure pertain only to the Alligator Lake PSGHA, which includes the north and south marshes and adjacent levees. That portion of Alligator Lake that is outside of the PSGHA is subject to statewide waterfowl regulations.
1.  It is illegal to hunt over bait or place any bait or other food for wildlife on this area.
2.  Driving a metal object into any tree, or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven, is prohibited.
3.  No person shall cut or destroy any tree on, or remove any tree, shrub, or protected plant from, the area without written permission from the landowner or primary land manager.
4.  Taking or attempting to take any game with the aid of live decoys, recorded game calls or sounds, set guns, artificial light, net, trap, snare, drug or poison is prohibited.
5.  The wanton and willful waste of wildlife is prohibited. 6. Hunting, fishing or trapping is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as closed to those activities. 7. People, dogs, vehicles and other recreational equipment are prohibited in areas posted as “Closed to Public Access” by FWC administrative action. 8. Taking or herding wildlife from any motorized vehicle, aircraft or boat, which is under power is prohibited until power, and movement from that power, has ceased. 9.  The release of any animal is prohibited, except by permit from FWC or written authorization from the landowner or primary land manager. 10.  The planting or introduction of any non-native plant is prohibited, without written authorization of the landowner or primary land manager. 11.  Littering is prohibited. 12.  It is unlawful to set fire to any forest, grass or woodlands. Fires are prohibited. 13.  A Law Enforcement Officer may search any camp, vehicle or boat, in accordance with law.
14.  Construction or use of permanent blinds or structures is prohibited.
15.  Tampering with or destruction of area equipment, improvements and water control structures is prohibited.
Public Access and Vehicles:
1.  Alligator Lake Public Recreation Area is closed to public access on Mondays, except for persons accessing the Alligator Lake PSGHA for the purpose of hunting ducks, geese, coot or alligators.
2.  Portaging over levees is allowed only at designated portage sites.
3.  During hours open for hunting waterfowl with firearms, only hunters with appropriate licenses and permits are allowed in the marshes and on the levees.
4.  During the waterfowl season, outboard motors may be used at idle speeds only, except persons participating in the statewide alligator harvest program may operate outboard motors above idle speed when hunting alligators. Use of airboats is allowed except by waterfowl season participants. All-terrain vehicles, unregistered and unlicensed motorcycles and tracked vehicles are prohibited at all times.
Hunters:
1.  The Alligator Lake PSGHA includes the north and south marshes and adjacent levees. Alligator Lake is not part of Alligator Lake PSGHA (see brochure map). Hunting on Alligator Lake is allowed as per statewide migratory bird season dates, bag limits and regulations. Hunting on Alligator Lake PSGHA is allowed as per regulations included in this brochure.
2.  Please report leg bands to 800-327-BAND or at www.reportband.gov.
3.  Access for hunting is allowed only via boat or on foot, only from the boat ramps near the Department of Transportation Office or the Columbia County High School. Two water control structures allow boat access from the lake into the north marsh. Portaging over levees is allowed only at designated portage sites.
4.  Hunting with firearms from dikes, levees or bridges is prohibited, except persons participating in the statewide alligator harvest program may use bang sticks to take alligators attached to a restraining line.
Guns:
1.  Hunting with firearms other than shotguns is prohibited, except persons participating in the statewide alligator harvest program may use bang sticks to take alligators attached to a restraining line.
2.  Hunting with shotguns larger than 10 gauge or shotguns capable of holding more than 3 shells is prohibited.
3.  Children under the age of 16 hunting with a firearm must be in the presence of a supervising adult.
4.  No person shall discharge a firearm or have a loaded firearm in hand while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
5.  The discharge of a firearm outside of periods open to hunting or in areas closed to hunting is prohibited per s. 790.15 FS.
Dogs: 
Hunting with dogs is prohibited, except dogs may be used for hunting ducks, geese (including Egyptian goose) and coot during waterfowl season.
Camping: 
Prohibited.
Bag and Possession Limits:
Ducks, geese (including Egyptian goose), common gallinule, and coot - See migratory game bird hunting regulations.
 
Seasons ( Count: 2)
  • Waterfowl Season
  • Fishing and Frogging
 
General Information:
1.  Information for persons with disabilities can be found at MyFWC.com/ADA.
2.  If you have any questions about this material, please call the FWC at 386-758-0525 (TDD 800-955-8771).
3.  The FWC is not responsible for protection of personal property and will not be liable for theft of or damage to personal property.
4.  Columbia County purchased this area using funds from the Florida Community Trust. The Suwannee River Water Management District was the lead entity for planning and implementing restoration efforts, in cooperation with the FWC. Ducks Unlimited provided funds for water control structures.

Cooperation Requested:
 If you see law violators or suspicious activities, contact your nearest Commission regional office or call 888-404-FWCC. You may qualify for a cash reward from the Wildlife Alert Reward Association.
 FWC programs receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The DOI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or you need more information, please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC) at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399, Ph: (850) 488-6411, or you may write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.