"A trip on the Yellow River is like going back in time. Its tall-forested banks, pristine water quality and productive fishing create a place one can go to be completely surrounded by nature. The Yellow River Preserve is one of Florida's most precious contributions it has for its future generations."

Ernie Rivers,
River Keeper and Bream Fisherman Associate of Northwest Florida

Location:

Santa Rosa County

Acreage:

11,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 235
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
(850) 245-2094
FloridaCoasts@dep.state.fl.us

Download a fact sheet. (pdf - 804 KB)

• The Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve encompasses portions of Yellow River, Blackwater River and East Bay. The upper most portions of the preserve are bordered by Northwest Florida Water Management District lands and Eglin Air Force Base.
   
• Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve was designated as an Aquatic Preserve in 1970.
   
• The preserve consists of over 2,000 acres of marsh, forested wetlands and seagrass beds. These provide filtration from pollutants and serve as flood control.
   
• Recreational and commercial fishing are major activities within the preserve with fisherman catching variety of fish including: bass, brim & bluegill, catfish, redfish, flounder, blue crab, mullet, and over 100 other types of fresh and brackish water fish.
   
• It is very common to see several different types of snakes and turtles along with an occasional alligator on a trip down the Yellow River.