Apalachee Bay

Apalachee Bay lies along Florida's Big Bend coast where the peninsula meets the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge reaches the bay through tidal beaches, marshes, and river outlets. [US Fish and Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/refuge/st-marks/visit-us)

It is a broad, shallow embayment receiving freshwater from rivers such as the St. Marks and Wakulla before opening into the Gulf. A Florida habitat report gives an average depth of about 1.5 to 3 metres, or 5 to 10 feet. [Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission](https://archive.myfwc.com/Archive/Research/Habitat/Coastal-Wetlands/OIMMP/oimmp-ch04-v2.pdf)

The bay supports seagrass meadows, salt marshes, oyster reefs, and nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates. Florida DEP specifically lists redfish, shrimp, bay scallops, sea trout, stone crabs, manatees, wading birds, and sea turtles as users of the Big Bend seagrass region. [Florida DEP](https://floridadep.gov/rcp/aquatic-preserve/content/big-bend-seagrasses-aquatic-preserve-management-and-protection)

Yes, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge provides access points and a saltwater launch for the bay. At the refuge's man-made fishing pools, boats are limited to outboard motors of 10 horsepower or less from March 15 through October 15, so visitors should check the current rules. [US Fish and Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/refuge/st-marks/visit-us/activities/fishing)