The Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located within the Matlacha Pass estuary, approximately 8 miles northwest of Fort Myers, Florida.

The islands were established as a "preserve and breeding ground for native birds" by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Fisherman Key, one of the largest islands of the refuge, once had fish camps and permanent residents on it.

Also found in the area are tropical species such as seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba).

Some of the threatened or endangered animal species which make the refuge home are the West Indian manatee, crocodile, eastern indigo snake, wood stork and bald eagle.