Physical Attributes And Visitation Revenues from fishing licenses paid for construction and has funded annual operation. On three occasions, the Legislature appropriated general revenues to build expansions. The hatchery is located in Sumter County on the east side of Highway 471 about 11 miles south of Webster. It lies near the center of Richloam Wildlife Management Area, a tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest managed by the Division of Forestry for aquifer and stream recharge, timber production, wildlife conservation, and public recreation. About one-fourth the area consists of preserved cypress swamps.
Water oriented birds are abundant and other wildlife frequent the site.
The hatchery production area covers 110 acres holding 77 earthen ponds and six buildings. Fish are raised in the earthen ponds, which range in size from 0.1 to 1.5 acres and total 55 acres. Hatchery services are an integral part of numerous regional fisheries programs trying to make our world a better place. Although there are no special services normally offered to host hatchery quests, they are welcome to walk around the facility and observe fish tending and harvests as may be happening at the time. Largemouth Bass and Bream - to seed new waters.