Silver Lake Preserve is nearly 2,000 acres of pristine Southwest Florida wilderness that served for generations as the Lykes family’s private quail hunting grounds. Today, we’re proud to share this special place with guests who appreciate exceptional hunting, authentic hospitality, and land that feels like a step back in time.
Located on the outskirts of LaBelle in Glades County, Silver Lake Preserve sits in the heart of Old Florida. Long before permanent settlers arrived in the late 1800s, this region was home to the Caloosa people, who gathered for ceremonies under the ancient oak hammocks along the nearby Caloosahatchee River. In 1896, Captain Francis Asbury Hendry named the area for his daughters, Laura and Belle—LaBelle, “the beautiful” in French.
The landscape here is unlike anywhere else in Florida. Towering pines and palmettos give way to native prairies and wetlands. Oak hammocks provide shade and shelter. And the wildlife—quail, turkey, and some of the largest alligators in the state—thrive in habitat that has been carefully managed for more than a century.
The Lykes Brothers story began more than 100 years ago with Dr. Howell Tyson Lykes. After leaving a career in medicine, Dr. Lykes began raising cattle and citrus at the family homestead in rural Hernando County. By the turn of the century, he had moved his family to Tampa and was shipping cattle to Cuba aboard a three-masted wooden schooner.
One by one, each of Dr. Lykes’ seven sons joined the family business. Working together, they expanded and diversified, incorporating as Lykes Bros. Inc. in 1910. Today, descendants of Dr. Lykes retain ownership of the Company and continue to build on the foundation laid by the doctor and his seven sons.
Stewardship has always been central to how Lykes manages the land. The success of that philosophy is evident in the diverse wildlife found across the ranch—and nowhere more than here at Silver Lake Preserve.
When you visit Silver Lake Preserve, you’re hunting the same land the Lykes family has hunted for generations. Every detail—from our knowledgeable guides to the coveys in the field—reflects our commitment to giving you an experience you won’t forget.