About Kice Island
- Ali, Guide
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Kice Island is located in the Ten Thousand Islands, a chain of islands and mangrove islets located off the coast of southwest Florida. The history of Kice Island dates back to the early 1900s, when the area was primarily used for fishing and trapping.
In the early 1900s, Barron Collier began purchasing large tracts of land in southwest Florida, including much of the land that makes up the Ten Thousand Islands. Collier was instrumental in the development of the region, building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure that helped to open up the area to settlement and commerce.
In the 1920s, Collier entered into negotiations with the federal government to exchange some of his land in the Ten Thousand Islands for Indian reservation land in Arizona. The proposed exchange involved approximately 100,000 acres of land in the Ten Thousand Islands, as well as an additional 100,000 acres of land in Collier County.
The exchange was controversial at the time, with some critics arguing that it would lead to the displacement of Native American communities in Arizona. However, the exchange ultimately went forward, and in 1922, the federal government took possession of the land in the Ten Thousand Islands.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Kice Island was a hub of activity for commercial fishermen and sportsmen who visited the area to fish for tarpon, snook, and other game fish. Nearby Marco island at the time was also home to a number of families who worked in the fishing industry and relied on the sea for their livelihoods.
In the mid-20th century, the fishing industry in the Ten Thousand Islands began to decline due to overfishing and changes in environmental regulations. Many of the commercial fish camps in the area were abandoned or fell into disrepair.
Today, much of the land in the Ten Thousand Islands is protected as part of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1996. The refuge includes more than 35,000 acres of mangrove forests, marshes, and other wetlands, and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including dolphins, manatees, and a variety of bird species.
Kice Island is now primarily used for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking. The island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, with much of its natural beauty and wildlife still intact. Kice Island is a protected area and is part of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors to the island are asked to respect the natural environment and to avoid disturbing any wildlife or plants they encounter.
