Lake Apopka West Marsh Canoe-Kayak Launch SJRWMD

The St. Johns River Water Management District's new Lake Apopka West Marsh Canoe/Kayak Launch enhances public recreational access on the Lake Apopka North Shore to include paddling, catch-and-release fishing and seasonal hunting. The West Marsh is a wetland restoration project within the Lake Apopka North Shore west of the Apopka-Beauclair Canal in Lake County. Approximately 2,400 acres of the West Marsh opened in August 2025 to public water access via a canoe/kayak launch located at 24451 Blackhorse Trail, Astatula, FL 34705. Access Blackhorse Trail from Ranch Road. The West Marsh allows paddle crafts only. Gas-powered motors are prohibited; electric trolling motors are allowed. Fishing is allowed. Catch and release only. A freshwater fishing license is required. A free day-use permit is required for gate access to the West Marsh parking area to hand-launch a canoe or kayak. You may reserve a permit for one day per week and up to two weekend days a month. Each permit allows one passenger vehicle with up to four canoes/kayaks. Reservations for access may be made up to 90 days in advance and must be made at least 48 hours in advance. When making a reservation, include the vehicle make, model, color, year and license plate number of the passenger vehicle that will access the Blackhorse Trail parking lot on that specific date. The vehicle permit must show the required vehicle description and license plate information and must be printed and displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle to which it is assigned while on the property. Ten permits are available daily, except on designated hunt days. During designated waterfowl hunt days, access to the boat launch parking area will be available only to permitted hunters holding quota permits for the Lake Apopka North Shore Public Small Game Hunting Area (PSGHA) obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Hunt days are on Wednesdays and Saturdays for several weeks during the fall. These dates will not be available for day-use permits via the District’s web pages; hunters must contact FWC for access information and hunt rules. Please observe posted notices onsite or visit MyFWC.com for hunt dates. Hours of operation: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Maximum number of vehicles per permit: 1 Maximum number of paddle crafts per permit: 4 Maximum occupancy per permit: 8