The Everglades

 

The Everglades: Florida Bay, Shark River, and Lostmans River

 

The acquisition and creation of the 2,410 square mile (or about 1.5 million acres)  Everglades National Park in 1947 was a pivotal moment for the region. Efforts to protect the Everglades from drainage, development, and agricultural expansion were crucial, as they helped maintain the area as one of the most biodiverse regions in the United States. The Everglades is a realm of boundless water, mangroves, and life, a combination of ecosystems that defines South Florida’s remaining wilderness. From the open flats and banks of Florida Bay to the secluded waters from Whitewater Bay to Lostmans River, this coastal region of the Glades captures the essence of the Everglades’ beauty and complexity.

 

Florida Bay

 

Florida Bay is a premier fishing destination, known for its distinct marine life. Located at the southern coastal edge of the Everglades, between the Upper Keys and the mainland, it offers a mix of shallow waters where the freshwater from the Everglades meets the saltwater of the Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. This blend of habitats creates ideal conditions for species like bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, and redfish. The bay’s shallow flats offer opportunities for fly fishing, and light tackle anglers. Whether stalking bonefish in the clear shallows or casting to laid-up tarpon, Florida Bay provides anglers with exciting and challenging fishing opportunities.

Mangrove islands dot the bay, offering beautiful scenery and vital nurseries for many of our marine species. These areas provide refuge for juvenile fish, which attract larger predators and offer opportunities for fishing. For any angler, Florida Bay is a must-visit destination, offering a wide range of fishing experiences in one of the most ecologically diverse and beautiful locations anywhere.

 

Flamingo and Whitewater Bay

 

Northwest of Florida Bay is Flamingo – an out-of-the-way community with a Ranger Station, campground, hotel, restaurant, and marina located at the southwestern tip of the mainland, within the Everglades National Park. Situated about 38 miles southwest of Homestead, it is known for its scenic beauty, unique wildlife, and access to Florida Bay and Whitewater Bay. The area is named for the flamingos that once populated the region, though they are now rarely seen here. Flamingo is a popular starting point for fishing guides and private anglers looking to access the Everglades north of Florida Bay.

To the north of Flamingo lies Coot and Whitewater Bays, an expanse of open water bordered by dense mangroves. Beneath the surface, the bay’s residents are fish like snook, redfish, tarpon, and sea trout, making it a haven for anglers. The maze of creeks and shallow flats offers endless opportunities for sight fishing, while the deeper lakes and bays hold big tarpon. The mangroves provide shelter for juvenile fish and baitfish, creating an ecosystem that supports some of the best backcountry fishing in the Everglades.

 

The Shark River

 

Heading north, the Shark River cuts through the mangrove wilderness like an ancient artery, its meandering course a lifeline for countless species that thrive in the Everglades. A blend of saltwater from Ponce De Leon Bay and freshwater from the Glades creates an ideal habitat for snook redfish and tarpon.

 

Around the Shark River, three main types of mangroves thrive in the Everglades ecosystem: red mangroves, black mangroves, and white mangroves. Red mangroves are typically found along the shoreline and in the intertidal zone, where their stilt-like prop roots stabilize the coastline and provide vital habitat for marine life. Slightly inland, black mangroves dominate with their vertical root structures that stick out of the soil to help them breathe in oxygen-poor environments. White mangroves grow in the highest, driest areas of the mangrove ecosystem, where the soil is less waterlogged, and they lack the distinctive root structures of the other two types. The red mangroves around the Shark River are remarkable, as they are some of the tallest mangroves in the world, reaching heights of up to 80 feet. There is still evidence of much taller trees that were lost in hurricanes over the centuries.

 

The hidden remains of a tannin mill, located at the mouth of the Shark River, is a piece of local history tied to the region’s unique ecosystem and early industrial efforts. Tannin, a natural compound derived from mangroves and other plants abundant in the area, was historically used for leather tanning and other industrial applications. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industries exploiting Florida’s natural resources flourished. The tannin mill was established to process mangrove bark, extracting the tannic acid used in the leather tanning process. With its vast mangrove estuaries, the Shark River provided an ideal location for such an operation due to the abundance of raw materials and its access to water transportation routes.

 

The Harney, Rodgers, Broad, and Lostman Rivers

 

Further north, lie Ponce DeLeon Bay, the Harney, Rodgers, Broad, and Lostmans River. These rivers and bays embody the Glades’ wild spirit. Its labyrinthine creeks and secluded lakes and bays are home to an extraordinary variety of life. Tannin stains the water a dark amber, reflecting the dense canopy of mangroves above. These rivers have witnessed centuries of history, from their use by the indigenous Calusa people to their role as a gateway for early settlers exploring the Everglades.

 

These rivers, and bays, offer a unique perspective on the Everglades. Together, they form an interconnected tapestry of life, where every mangrove root, tidal flow, and resident critter plays a role in sustaining this fragile ecosystem. Beyond their ecological significance, these areas inspire awe and respect. They remind us of the wild places that still exist, of the delicate balance that sustains them, and of our responsibility to protect them.