Mud Keys Wildlife Management Area

Mud Keys are a series of islands approximately 15 miles northeast of Key West that are highly dissected by navigable creeks. Mud Keys Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. The islands consist almost entirely of red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle), although the northernmost island has considerable upland vegetation.

Roosting frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), nesting ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), and a small great white heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) rookery are protected in this WMA by idle-speed only/no-wake zones in two main tidal creeks. Two smaller creeks on the west side are closed as a bird sanctuary.

Special regulations apply here. Learn more about what activities are allowed in this type of zone.

A summary of all sanctuary regulations is available online. For the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.