J.L. Lester WMA | Department Of Natural Resources Division

J.L. Lester Wildlife Management Area is located in Polk County. This 477-acre property offers hunting opportunities for deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove and waterfowl. No ATVs allowed on the property. No night hunting.

Please review the J.L. Lester 2025–2026 Schedule (PDF) before visiting. Field trials occur throughout the year and may close the property to all hunting, fishing, and recreation.

Accommodations & Facilities

J.L. Lester Archery Range
Lake

Activities

Archery
Boating
Geocaching — not allowed during managed hunts or before 10 a.m. during turkey season
Hunting
- Quota Hunts
- Youth Hunts
Lake Fishing
Wildlife Viewing

Nearby Properties

Nearby Accommodations

MAKE AN OVERNIGHT RESERVATION

A young girl in a pink swimsuit and an adult in a blue shirt and white cap are fishing from a concrete pier. The adult is pointing and assisting the girl, who is holding a red and black fishing rod. Several other people are fishing in the background, and a large bridge stretches over the water. The water below is calm, and the sky is overcast.

Recreational Saltwater Fishing

A commercial fisherman wearing a gray hoodie, red waterproof overalls, sunglasses, and a black beanie is working on a fishing boat. He is operating a large metal winch with one hand while gripping a lever with the other. The sun shines brightly, creating a lens flare effect. The background features open water with a distant structure visible on the horizon. The sky is mostly clear with a few wispy clouds.

Commercial Saltwater Fishing

A scuba diver wearing a black diving mask, regulator, and a yellow oxygen tank explores an underwater artificial reef. The reef consists of large, hollow concrete structures resting on the ocean floor. Small red fish swim around the diver and the reef. Bubbles rise from the diver’s regulator, and the water has a greenish tint with particles suspended in it.

Artificial Reefs & Marine Habitat

<!-- Image Description: A white motorboat with a black canopy speeds through a winding waterway surrounded by lush green marsh grass. The boat leaves a white foamy wake behind it. Two people wearing life jackets are visible on board, one steering while the other is seated. The waterway meanders through the marsh, creating a natural pattern of land and water.

Coastal Boating & Boat Ramps

A female scientist wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and a baseball cap is working in a muddy coastal marsh. She is kneeling in the mud, surrounded by tall green marsh grass, and adjusting or inspecting a white monitoring station mounted on a pole. A purple cloth hangs from the station. The bright sunlight casts shadows, highlighting the texture of the mud and vegetation.

Coastal Management

A female field researcher wearing a navy blue shirt, sunglasses, and a black waist pouch is working in a dense coastal environment. She is surrounded by green palmetto plants and other vegetation, with twisted tree branches in the background. She is holding a clipboard and writing notes while marking plants with bright pink flagging tape. The natural setting appears lush and slightly overgrown.

Marsh & Shore Permits

A male educator wearing a navy blue long-sleeve shirt, black cap, and patterned neck gaiter holds up a small crab while speaking to a group of children on a sandy beach. The children, with their backs to the camera, are attentively watching. The ocean waves roll onto the shore in the background under an overcast sky.

Marine Education & Public Outreach

A group of people, including men and women dressed in casual and uniformed attire, stand on a wooden dock holding a large red sign that reads "SOUND LIMIT." One woman, wearing work clothes and boots, kneels in front of the sign while smiling at the camera. The background features a coastal marsh with tall grasses and calm water under a clear sky. Some individuals in the group are engaged in conversation, while others look at the sign or the camera.

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