What is Stick Marsh/Farm 13

[George Welcome]

There is lot of chatter on the internet about Stick Marsh/Farm 13, however very little talks about where it is and what it's function is.

This 6700 acre lake is one of four lakes that make up the headwaters of the St Johns River. In addition to these lakes is a large marsh, (Ft Drum Marsh), that all flow northward. Or the four lakes, Blue Cypress Lake is a natural, with the other three, Ansin/Garcia, Stick Marsh/Farm 13, and Kenansville, all being man-made.

The first function in the development of the three man-made lakes was and is to clean up the runoff of fertilizer and such from the surrounding farms and ranches. The second function of importance is to supply irrigation waters for these farms and ranches, and the last and of lowest consideration is to supply a recreation area for fishermen.

For Fish and Game and the state of Florida, unlike St Johns Water Management, fishing on these lakes is of major importance. As some of the finest fishing in N. America, these lakes provide tremendous source of tourism income.

The Stick Marsh/Farm 13, although it has two names is actually one lake. Most arrive here expecting something quite different because of the name, and are quite amazed when they view the 6700 acres. The lake does have a partial divider levee, but this is to force water flow through more of the lake for clean-up, than it is to split the lake into two.

The names Stick Marsh and Farm 13 were derived from their names prior to flooding. Stick Marsh was locally known as such due to the densely wooded characteristics of this marsh, and Farm 13 was  radish field known as Farm #13 of Fellsmere Farms.

The two sides are quite different, with the main fish attractants of the Stick Marsh side being dense submerged woody cover with just about no structure, and the farm side being a combination of both structure and cover.

Looking at the photo above you can readily see the submerged remnants of the irrigation ditches that were used to supply water to the Farm prior to flooding. These structure play a huge part in the summer patterns on this lake. Knowing the characteristics of these ditches will spell the difference between fishing success and failure for a significant part of the year.

On the south end of Farm 13 there is as much wood, if not more per square foot, than what can be found on the Stick Marsh side. Knowing these areas and the denseness of the wood is of extreme importance during the entire spawn cycle, which by the way takes place from December through May many years.

If you know the area, catching fish like the one below is very common.

This lady was one of over 75 caught this March of 09. As you can see, the lake was low and the wood very visible. However much of the time this extreme cover is hidden by high water levels and then migration routes and the knowledge of them becomes important. There are old roadbeds there and knowing them does make a big difference. This cover spreads across the south end of the lake but some is productive and some, well you get the picture.

The Stick Marsh side is wall to wall covered with wood. Again, as any lake, only some will hold fish however. Knowing where these areas are, and staying out here full time will make the difference in finding fish most times.

This 14.3-pound lady came from the Marsh side.

In the hurricanes that ripped through the area back in 2004, we as well as other lakes in south Florida, lost the hydrilla to severe wave action. To this date it has not recovered. However, that is a biological function and not the function of some mysterious spraying action as suggested by some. When there is spraying for hydrilla it must be done during a very narrow window in the month of April. As the source of irrigation for the Farm, if spraying were taking place, it would destroy not only hydrilla but also the crops of the farm being irrigated. Unlike the spray used for hyacinth, which is a contact spray, the spray used for hydrilla kills submerged vegetation and would kill anything the dilution was sprayed on.  So it's not the spraying, and it's not aliens coming at night stealing the hydrilla, but rather a normal biological function that has the hydrilla missing.

Forage on this 11 square mile body of water is comprised of primarily wild shiner, and threadfin shad. With the lack of hydrilla, which provided a place to hide for the forage, they are constantly on the move. As they move, so moves the bass, and keeping up with this movement is a daily, and sometimes even hourly chore.

However, from the map above, and some of what I have covered here, your trip will be more productive next time you are here.

[TimJ]

That lake looks like an adventure waiting to happen! We have planned on fishing Toho in March with our own boat and Stick Marsh has been grabbing my interest. If I'm correct, it looks like about 75-90 minutes from Kissimmee. Our fishing time will probably be controlled by the weather but one day on Stick may come into play. I see one ramp in the NE corner. Is this public? Are there regs on how many people can fish there or is this an open, public lake? For safety sake, can I get a map which generally outlines danger areas such as the wood areas OR does the excellent map posted do the job (with a bit of drawing in)? I'm sure that more questions will come to light but Stick and the nearby lakes have become options. Thanks very much.

TJ

[George Welcome]

Stick Marsh/Farm 13 is 90 mins. from Kissimmee as you thought. It has the one ramp only, and is a public lake. The only restriction on the lake is that the bass are immediate catch and release. This means you can weigh them, measure them, photo them, and then put them back in the water. They cannot be put in a live well for any reason whatsoever. The only map out there is sketchy at best, and the above gives you the gps locations for the irrigation ditches which I put together.

Good luck out there.

[Tebassco]

Hey George...how goes it ol friend?  I heard a rumor that Kenansville is back up for fishing.....what's the scoop on that?

[George Welcome]

Hey T,

Give me a shout via phone or e-mail.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Nice info GW.  Made for an interesting read.  One of these days I really need to make my way up there for some fishing.  As much as I love going into the everglades, I really want to fish up in your neck of the woods some day.  That 14 pounder sure as hell looks like fun.

[roadwarrior]

Ya'll will enjoy this read:

http://www.insideline.net/weeklynews/2009/09-1012.html

8-)

[TimJ]

Thank you George. I will keep my eyes open for more info and may ask more pointed questions closer to our trip date if we decide to include Stick.

ps...nice read in yamamoto article.

TJ

[Tpayneful]

Great article George!  I am almost positive that my boat is in the top right corner of the picture with the first fish.  Our biggest of the trip was 7lbs and 15 oz.  I have a new boat this year and everyone thinks I am crazy because I am taking it to Stick Marsh the first week of March!

[GLADES]

Wow. A twenty pound bass caught out of Loxahatchee in Deerfield! I have fond memories fishing with my dad during the late 60-70's out of the jon boats that could be rented. We(dad) boated our share of 10 lb'ers during that era. A very interesting article about a great fisherman. Thanks.

[piscicidal]

Hey George. I bought a Hewes a couple months ago...I'm building up the courage to drive up and run her out there in the stumps.  I've been to China four times since we fished last, but this phase of my project is almost over and then it's time for some serious fishing.  Hope to see you on the marsh, soon.

For those who haven't spent a day in the boat with George, it's a real treat. I've driven up from Fort Lauderdale three times to fish with him. It's worth it to me just to be in the boat, talk bass fishing and learn.  And there's the stories...he has a stick marsh story that blows the 20lb Lox bass away.  The scenery, entertainment (stories) and education are alone worth the price of admission.  The monster bass you catch are just a bonus! 8-)

[NewKidInTown]

There is lot of chatter on the internet about Stick Marsh/Farm 13, however very little talks about where it is and what it's function is.

This 6700 acre lake is one of four lakes that make up the headwaters of the St Johns River. In addition to these lakes is a large marsh, (Ft Drum Marsh), that all flow northward. Or the four lakes, Blue Cypress Lake is a natural, with the other three, Ansin/Garcia, Stick Marsh/Farm 13, and Kenansville, all being man-made.

The first function in the development of the three man-made lakes was and is to clean up the runoff of fertilizer and such from the surrounding farms and ranches. The second function of importance is to supply irrigation waters for these farms and ranches, and the last and of lowest consideration is to supply a recreation area for fishermen.

For Fish and Game and the state of Florida, unlike St Johns Water Management, fishing on these lakes is of major importance. As some of the finest fishing in N. America, these lakes provide tremendous source of tourism income.

The Stick Marsh/Farm 13, although it has two names is actually one lake. Most arrive here expecting something quite different because of the name, and are quite amazed when they view the 6700 acres. The lake does have a partial divider levee, but this is to force water flow through more of the lake for clean-up, than it is to split the lake into two.

The names Stick Marsh and Farm 13 were derived from their names prior to flooding. Stick Marsh was locally known as such due to the densely wooded characteristics of this marsh, and Farm 13 was radish field known as Farm #13 of Fellsmere Farms.

The two sides are quite different, with the main fish attractants of the Stick Marsh side being dense submerged woody cover with just about no structure, and the farm side being a combination of both structure and cover.

Looking at the photo above you can readily see the submerged remnants of the irrigation ditches that were used to supply water to the Farm prior to flooding. These structure play a huge part in the summer patterns on this lake. Knowing the characteristics of these ditches will spell the difference between fishing success and failure for a significant part of the year.

On the south end of Farm 13 there is as much wood, if not more per square foot, than what can be found on the Stick Marsh side. Knowing these areas and the denseness of the wood is of extreme importance during the entire spawn cycle, which by the way takes place from December through May many years.

If you know the area, catching fish like the one below is very common.

This lady was one of over 75 caught this March of 09. As you can see, the lake was low and the wood very visible. However much of the time this extreme cover is hidden by high water levels and then migration routes and the knowledge of them becomes important. There are old roadbeds there and knowing them does make a big difference. This cover spreads across the south end of the lake but some is productive and some, well you get the picture.

The Stick Marsh side is wall to wall covered with wood. Again, as any lake, only some will hold fish however. Knowing where these areas are, and staying out here full time will make the difference in finding fish most times.

This 14.3-pound lady came from the Marsh side.

In the hurricanes that ripped through the area back in 2004, we as well as other lakes in south Florida, lost the hydrilla to severe wave action. To this date it has not recovered. However, that is a biological function and not the function of some mysterious spraying action as suggested by some. When there is spraying for hydrilla it must be done during a very narrow window in the month of April. As the source of irrigation for the Farm, if spraying were taking place, it would destroy not only hydrilla but also the crops of the farm being irrigated. Unlike the spray used for hyacinth, which is a contact spray, the spray used for hydrilla kills submerged vegetation and would kill anything the dilution was sprayed on. So it's not the spraying, and it's not aliens coming at night stealing the hydrilla, but rather a normal biological function that has the hydrilla missing.

Forage on this 11 square mile body of water is comprised of primarily wild shiner, and threadfin shad. With the lack of hydrilla, which provided a place to hide for the forage, they are constantly on the move. As they move, so moves the bass, and keeping up with this movement is a daily, and sometimes even hourly chore.

However, from the map above, and some of what I have covered here, your trip will be more productive next time you are here.

Anyone know a good guide for this place?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

George Welcome would be the guy to talk to.

[avid]

Yeah they sure do grow big bass in Stick Marsh....I never caught one over 8 lbs. but have been in the boat several times when when double digits were landed and weighed on certified boga grip scales.

Everything is big at stickmarsh....specs, brim, and don't forget the gators and skeeters too!!!

[SkilletSizeBass.]

Nice article George, and a good link from RW also.

I've always wanted to get back down and give stick marsh another try. I think I've told George the story before, so I wont go into a lot of detail, but we went down several years back and planned to fish small lakes in that area for a week, we fished stick marsh our first day down some in the evening and planned on coming back out early the next morning. Well, the next morning while at the hotel getting ready, someone stole our truck, boat, and all our fishing gear :'(. So, needless to say, I haven't got back out to try stick marsh again yet, but, I've always wanted to. Nice looking lake, lots of gators if I remenber right. ;D