Eastern Lake Surprise Wildlife Management Area

This area provides habitat for the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) as well as the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Located in the north Key Largo area, Lake Surprise is beneath the high span Jewfish Creek Bridge. The purpose of establishing the wildlife management area on the eastern side of Lake Surprise is to continue crocodile and manatee protections.

The Eastern Lake Surprise Wildlife Management Area includes almost 200 acres of idle speed wake east of Highway 1, and no entry within 300 feet of the shorelines including the canal basin on the southeast side, an area that measures 85 acres.

Special regulations apply here. Learn more about what activities are allowed in this type of zone.

A summary of all sanctuary regulations is available online. For the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.