Rodman Wildlife Management Area Adventures

Rodman Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a significant conservation site located in northeast Florida, primarily in Putnam County, encompassing lands around the Rodman Reservoir on the Ocklawaha River. The area includes approximately 22,000 acres of diverse habitats such as swamps, hardwood forests, marshes, and open water. Created in the 1960s around the Rodman Dam and Reservoir, the WMA serves both wildlife conservation and recreational purposes, managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Ecologically, Rodman WMA is home to a wide variety of species including largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish popular among anglers, alongside abundant bird species such as American bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and migrating waterfowl. The floodplain forests provide critical habitat for mammals like white-tailed deer, bobcat, and river otter. Key recreational opportunities within the WMA include fishing on the Rodman Reservoir, boating, wildlife viewing, hiking, and limited primitive camping. The area is particularly popular during bass fishing season and bird migrations in spring and fall. Though there are few formal trails, the open landscape is suitable for backcountry exploration and photography. Rodman Wildlife Management Area is notable for the historic Rodman Dam — part of a controversial development project linked to the Cross Florida Barge Canal — and the area's ongoing conservation efforts that balance ecological values with outdoor recreation. Visitors appreciate the area's peaceful natural setting and the chance to experience Florida’s freshwater wetland ecosystems away from crowded tourist hubs.