Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed wetlands designed to aid in Everglades restoration. STAs remove phosphorus from runoff water by channeling it through shallow marshes filled with aquatic plants such as cattail, southern naiad and algae. These plants take up or absorb phosphorus from water traveling through, reducing to very low levels the amount of the nutrients reaching the Everglades or Lake Okeechobee.

STAs provide another bonus – prime home and visiting territory to wildlife including wading birds, ducks and American alligators. A variety of nature-based recreational activities are allowed at several of these wetland locations.

Located on approximately 17,000 acres in eastern Hendry County, Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6 (STA-5/6) has become one of the premier bird-watching areas in Florida through a long-standing partnership with the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society. More than 200 bird species have been spotted at STA-5/6 on the seasonal, guided bird-watching tours offered by the local Audubon chapter. The site is also popular as a waterfowl hunting area managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Access to STA-5/6 was expanded in 2013 with a public use area with shell-rocked parking, an informational kiosk, restrooms and a trail that includes a covered shade shelter and a boardwalk. Hiking, bicycling and bird-watching are among the activities visitors can enjoy from the public use area. In addition, a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail runs along the L-3 levee on the west side of the STA.

The recreation area is open from sunrise to sunset on Fridays through Mondays for regularly permitted activities. On designated weekends, the area is closed to the general public for waterfowl and alligator hunts managed by the FWC. The section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is open all day year-round.

For More Information:
Contact the FWC for details about hunting at (561) 625-5122 or visit www.myfwc.com/hunting.

Contact the Hendry-Glades Audubon Society chapter for details about guided bird-watching tours at sta5birding@embarqmail.com or visit www.hendrygladesaudubon.org.

For all other inquiries, please call the SFWMD recreation hotline at (866) 433-6312 or visit www.sfwmd.gov/recreation.

Hunting

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages hunting on SFWMD lands.
Please visit www.myfwc.com regarding current hunt dates, regulations and directions to check stations to ensure the most accurate and latest information.

Florida's Wildlife Management Areas - Hunting Brochures

Directions

• From South (Miami area) via Alligator Alley:

  Get to Alligator Alley (1-75) via your favorite route (e.g., Turnpike, Palmetto, or I-
595 W) Go west to Government (Snake) Road at the Micosukee gas station (Exit 49). Take Government Road north to CR-835 (25.2 miles). Follow CR-835 for 3 miles to Deer Fence Road (on right at curve). Go east for 2 miles on Deer Fence (dirt road), cross the bridge at STA-5; continue on unpaved road to parking east of the tower.
   

• From East (Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm Beach area) via SR-80/US-27:

  West on SR-80 or north on US-27 from I-75 to South Bay. Continue west on US-27 from South Bay toward Clewiston for about 13.6 miles. Look for Evercane Road (CR-835) and the J&J Ag. Products sign. Continue south on CR-835 for 26.7 miles to Deer Fence Road. Turn left onto Deer Fence Road (dirt road) for 2 miles, cross the bridge at STA-5; continue on unpaved road to parking area east of the tower.
   

• From Southwest (Naples/Ft. Myers area):

  Make your way to the town of Immokalee via SR-29 or CR-846.
 Once in the town of Immokalee, proceed east on CR-846 watching for the “jog” in the road near the Immokalee Airport. Take CR-846 east all the way to CR-833. Make the very sharp right turn onto CR-833 and continue driving east to CR-835 as if going to Clewiston. Follow CR-835 for 3 miles to Deer Fence Road. Turn right onto Deer Fence (dirt road) for 2 miles, cross the bridge at STA-5; continue on unpaved road to parking area east of the tower.
   

• From Northwest (LaBelle area):

  Proceed east on SR-80 toward Clewiston for about 19.5 miles. Turn
right on to CR-833 (south), continue for about 20 miles and turn left (east) at curve, drive about another 8 miles and turn left to CR-835 as if going to Clewiston. Follow CR-835 for 3 miles. Turn right onto Deer Fence (dirt road) for 2 miles, cross the bridge at STA-5; continue on unpaved road to parking area east of the tower.