A RARE AND EXCITING FISHING OPPORTUNITY

In the life of a fisherman, the opportunity to fish a new spot is a rare one. And not new as in “new to you,” but new as in NEW! Not long ago, what is now Fellsmere Grade (a.k.a. Lake Egan) was dry farmland. After years in the making, this man-made bass fishing paradise is finally open for business.

There is one catch though (pardon the pun). Leave your flashy bass boats at home. As of the time of this publication, there is no boat ramp to access the lake. Motorized vessels are prohibited. Maybe that will change someday, but for now, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are the ticket to thousands of acres of unspoiled waters. There is also a levy running down the west side of the lake that allows landlocked anglers to cast from shore.

Catch Ryan in action as he explores Brevard’s latest and greatest bass fishing spot for the story.

GETTING OUT THERE

Lake Egan is located directly east of the legendary “Stick Marsh” lake. To this day, Stick Marsh remains a prominent bass fishing destination in our area. Even our local Bass Pro Shops retail store bears the name “Stick Marsh Outpost”. The border between Brevard and Indian River counties is lined by the C-54 canal. Stick Marsh and Lake Egan can be found at the west end of the C-54 canal. To the east, the canal drains into Sebastian River.

Driving from the north, exit I-95 at Malabar Rd. in Palm Bay. Take Babcock Street south for approximately 12 miles until you cross the C-54 Canal. Driving from the south, exit I-95 at Fellsmere Rd. and then head north on State Road 507. Follow the C-54 canal by heading west on Fellsmere Grade Rd. for approximately 6 miles until you reach the Fellsmere Grade parking lot.

Fellsmere Grade is not a far distance away for most Brevard County residents.

A word of caution, Fellsmere Grade Rd. is not paved. While the road is routinely surfaced by heavy machinery, regular vehicle traffic can quickly cause a washboard effect. The term “bumpy ride” can often be an understatement. 6 miles out and 6 miles back will give your vehicle’s suspension a good workout. Be sure to secure your belongings accordingly.

Once at the parking lot, the launch spot is just a short walk down the levy that separates Stick Marsh and Lake Egan. A dolly cart is a good way to transport your paddle craft from the parking lot to the water, especially if you are making the trip solo.

How’s the bass fishing, you ask? Does this answer your question?

SO… HOWS THE FISHING?

While any fishing grounds are subject to good days and bad days, Lake Egan is shaping up to be an incredible bass fishing wonderland. During the construction of the lake, the waters were stocked with literally millions of bass. Crappie, bluegill, bowfin, and gar are also prevalent.

Finishing your day with dozens of bass is not uncommon, and rumors are swirling of some folks experiencing triple-digit quantities in a single day. But good numbers is just the start. If you are targeting big fish, then look no further. Trophy size largemouths are regular catches.

Ordinary rules of bass fishing apply: find the structure, find the fish. Perhaps the only downside is the entirety of Lake Egan looks like an enticing spot to cast a line. Shorelines, submerged trees, and seemingly endless expanses of underwater vegetation all hold fish. You just have to find them. Depending on the weather conditions, water clarity is often excellent. With a good pair of polarized sunglasses, it is not difficult to see all the way to the bottom. Water depths vary by location and seasonally, but 6 feet is a pretty good average depth.

For bait, most anglers are throwing artificial lures. It is hard to go wrong in this area as the bass don’t seem to mind a diverse menu. Worms, spinner baits, plugs, swim baits, and jerk baits are a good place to start. It is recommended to stick with lures designed to be weedless. Deep diving crankbaits will end up catching more salad than fish. Due to the broad expanse of bass habitat, choose lures you can cover a lot of water with. Once you start finding fish, it doesn’t hurt to re-strategize on a more focused attack.

Like Stick Marsh, bass in Lake Egan are currently catch and release only.

Yeah, it’s pretty wild out there!

GATORS, BUGS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

If you have spent any time freshwater fishing in Central Florida, you know that you are sharing territory with alligators. Lake Egan is no different, and the experience can be rather daunting when paddling next to gators that are larger than your kayak. For the most part, they will leave you alone if you leave them alone. Florida law applies with regards to harassing and feeding alligators. Alligators are the most dangerous when they become conditioned to humans. Give them some extra space during breeding season, or if they exhibit aggressive behavior.

Also worth mentioning is Florida wetlands can be ground zero for a plague of bugs with biblical proportions. Mosquitos, no-see-ums, gnats, flies, and other insects can quickly ruin a fishing outing if you are not prepared. Of course, time of year, time of day. temperature, rainfall, and wind all have an effect on bugs with experiences ranging from pleasant to unbearable. Covering your skin from head to toe with clothing is a good first line of defense. Keep some bug spray on hand if that isn’t enough.

Modern paddle craft come in countless shapes, sizes, and configurations. Peddle powered versions are gaining popularity, and now just about every major name brand is offering them. When planning a trip to Lake Egan, don’t leave the paddle at home. Vegetation can be very thick in some areas, and will quickly get tangled up in underwater propulsion mechanisms such as propellers and oscillating fins.

Lake Egan is a fairly open expanse of water. Pay close attention to the wind speed/direction before and during your trip especially if you decide to venture long distances from the launch point. Without obstructions to block the wind, it doesn’t take much to put a chop on the water. This usually isn’t a big deal when you can just fire up your outboard motor, but can make for a bad day with human powered vessels.

If fishing isn’t your thing, there is still plenty to enjoy here and in surrounding areas. Bird watching, nature photography, hiking, and biking are just some of the ways to enjoy the great outdoors. At the parking lot, there is a small pavilion with picnic tables and there are some restrooms near the Stick Marsh boat ramp. There is surprisingly ample parking with an overflow grass lot to use if the paved lot is full.

The bass were practically jumping into Ryan’s kayak.

FIND YOUR ADVENTURE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY

Time will tell if Lake Egan remains as good of a bass fishing hotspot as it is right now. Currently, the quantity and quality of fish is second to none. This is a large body of water with plenty of areas to explore. For the paddle craft aficionado, no-motor-zones have a certain allure about them promising pristine waters with hungry fish. Lake Egan easily lives up to those expectations. If you are looking for something different as the setting for your next adventure, this truly is uncharted territory.

Have Questions About Bass Fishing in Uncharted Territory?

If you want to know more about fishing and exploring Brevard’s newest bass hot spot, ask Ryan by leaving a comment below! And don’t forget to check out the RWood Outdoors Youtube Channel for more awesome adventures (and be sure to subscribe)!