In the late 1980s, the St. John's River Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers initiated a project to restore the drained marshland and to construct reservoirs, canals and levees that would offer a new level of flood protection.

The bass fishery at the Stickmarsh and Farm 13 was a result of the project.

THE LAKE
Stickmarsh and Farm 13 were once two separate lakes divided by a narrow levee. But according to Eisenhauer, a navigational cut was made along the east side of the levee in 1992. In the late 1990s, the navigational canal was plugged and a large section of the western end was breached to meet water management district objectives. The breach officially made Stickmarsh and Farm 13 the same lake.

The Stickmarsh side of the lake is filled with submerged timber. In fact, so much wood lies just beneath the water that you have to use caution while navigating this snag-filled side. But bass love submerged timber, and there are some real giants lurking among the wood.

The other half of the lake, referred to as Farm 13, is filled with hydrilla and coontail. As in most Florida lakes, vegetation was abundant on both the Stickmarsh and Farm 13, although Eisenhauer reports that much of the lake's hydrilla was taken out by hurricanes in 2004. Such a rapid change in habitat represents a danger to the lake's bass population. But given hydrilla's persistent nature, it shouldn't take long for the plant to get re-established.

THE FISHERY
Ten-pounders can be caught during any month of the year on Stickmarsh. But George Welcome, of Imagination Bassin' Guide Service, has some opinions regarding the best time of year to catch a giant bass on this central Florida lake. George and his son, Scott, each spend over 300 days a year either guiding or fishing on the Stickmarsh, so they ought to know.

"Periods in and around the spawn are the best times to catch a lunker, although we catch 10-pounders all through the summer," Welcome noted. "It's awfully exciting to see a 10-pound bass explode on a topwater bait."

The spawn on the Stickmarsh ordinarily runs from November through April. The greatest spawning activity can be expected during the months of March and April, with the optimum water temperatures for taking a giant bass occurring in mid-March through May. Sight-fishing for big females on the Stickmarsh is pretty tough, due to dense aquatic vegetation and dark water coloration.

Sometimes when anglers target trophy bass, they give up the opportunity to catch quantities of fish. Not so on the Stickmarsh. According to Welcome, during an average day on the Stickmarsh with a guide, anglers can expect to catch 50 bass or more, with an outstanding chance to catch at least one big fish.

Biologist Eisenhauer agreed with the assessment.

"Creel surveys have shown lots of fishing effort and high catch rates for largemouth bass anglers fishing on Stickmarsh," he offered.