Story updated to clarify that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the closure of the boat ramps, not FWC.
A boat ramp at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge will soon be off limits to bank fishing due to nuisance alligators.
The Lee Boat Ramps will be closed to fishing until November 1st.
The refuge said people have been dumping their bait fish in the water and feeding the alligators causing them to become more aggressive.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Park Ranger Veronica Kelly said the gators are approaching people and even chasing them. The Fish and Wildlife Service said they have received calls about a gator trying to get into a boat.
“The alligators look at people for a food source,” said Kelly.
USFWS said they have removed five alligators since March and plan to remove another one in the next few weeks.
The refuge hopes the alligators will get back into the wild while fishing in banned.
“That is enough time for them to get hungry and hopefully spread out,” said Kelly.
Anyone caught feeding an alligator could face jail time and/or a fine up to $100,000.
Starting September 27 an area 100 yards south of the Lee Road Boat Ramp to 100 yards north of the Lee Road Boat Ramp will be closed to bank fishing until Friday, November 2, 2018.
The bank fishing closure includes the fishing platform, boat dock, and boat ramp areas. The Lee Road Boat Ramp area will remain open to non-fishing uses such as hiking, biking, canoeing, photography, wildlife observation, and boat launching. The A, B, and C impoundments will remain open to bank fishing during this time.
Source: A.R.M. LOXAHATCHEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Anyone caught feeding an alligator could face jail time and/or a fine up to $100,000.