The yellow-blotched map turtle is restricted to the Pascagoula River drainage, occurring in the Pascagoula, Leaf, and Chickasawhay Rivers. It may also occur in the lower stretch of larger tributary streams of this drainage. In the Pascagoula River, this turtle's range extends downstream to tidal-influenced, brackish water marshes in southern Jackson County, Mississippi. The population in the Leaf River extends to some point in Jones County, Mississippi, and in the Chickasawhay River where the species occurs upstream to Clark County, Mississippi. While the species has been reported from major tributaries of these rivers, it is likely that populations in smaller streams are dependent upon the big river populations for a viable population.
Population estimates for the species are very preliminary.
The early stages of an ongoing mark and recapture study estimated the lower Pascagoula River population at 336 individuals per mile. Basking surveys of the Leaf, upper Pascagoula, and Chickasawhay Rivers indicated an average of four yellow-blotched map turtles per mile. More precise estimates should be developed as the study continues. This turtle's habitat is typically riverine with a moderate current and numerous basking logs. The river must be wide enough to allow sun penetration for several hours.