Wewahitchka

At the northern end of the county, Wewahitchka takes its unique name from the American Indian expression meaning “water eyes.”

Like much of Gulf County, Wewahitchka is defined by its waterways, located along the Chipola River and the legendary Dead Lakes, home to one of the richest eco-systems in Florida and a true local wonder…Tupelo Honey.

The Dead Lakes offer some of the best freshwater fishing in the nation, and a unique opportunity for nature photographers. Bass anglers regularly travel to this area to lure, then wrestle one of the “big boys” out of the cypress tree stumps that give the lake its name, and nature photographers join other outdoor lovers to capture a glimpse of this hauntingly beautiful body of water.

Reportedly formed when sand bars created by the Apalachicola River’s current blocked the Chipola River, the ensuing high water killed thousands of trees in the floodplain, leaving a graveyard of bottom heavy cypress skeletons, stumps and knees.

The rugged beauty of this area was featured in Peter Fonda’s 1997 movie “Ulee’s Gold,” a story about the beekeepers who for more than 100 years have harvested world-famous Tupelo Honey from the swamps of the Apalachicola River Basin.  Wewahitchka host the Tupelo Honey festival each May.

Find out how Gulf County, Florida inspires Master Photographer David Sussman.