The verdict is in for the highly anticipated “Battle of the Lakes,” and Fellsmere Reservoir—affectionately known as Headwaters Lake—has clinched the title over Orange Lake. This victory comes with the highest cumulative weight of bass captured by the anglers participating since the onset of the contest last autumn, as reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
This friendly rivalry pitched two of Florida’s elite bass-fishing locales against each other: Fellsmere Reservoir and Orange Lake. The aim was to shine a spotlight on the lakes’ bass fishing potential, drum up excitement among fishing enthusiasts, and drive engagement with the FWC’s TrophyCatch program.
Acting as the official record-keeper for the competition, the FWC’s TrophyCatch program documented some notable statistics. Celebrations for the contestants are set to unfold at the TrophyCatch Hall of Fame Ceremony, scheduled at Bass Pro Shops in Daytona on November 11.
The scorecard from Fellsmere was impressive, with anglers reeling in 85 trophy bass, tipping the scales at a collective 759 pounds, 3 ounces, and an impressive average of 8.93 pounds per fish, securing their lake’s supremacy. Although Orange Lake’s 64 bass—weighing in at 635 pounds, 8 ounces—boasted a heftier average weight per bass of 9.93 pounds, the total poundage decided the winner. Notably, Orange Lake produced the season’s most massive bass at a whopping 14 pounds, 1 ounce, and boasted four Hall of Fame bass, each over 13 pounds. In contrast, Fellsmere didn’t have any contenders reaching this size category.
Tom Graef, the Director of FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries, expressed his appreciation for the event’s participants, stating, “Each water body is different and has a lot to offer.” He commended all the anglers for their role in promoting Florida as a top destination for bass fishing.
The selection of these two sites for the competition seems prophetic, as both, along with the renowned Lake Okeechobee, were later named in Bassmaster’s Top 10 Best Bass Lakes of 2023.
The TrophyCatch program is at the heart of largemouth bass conservation efforts. It encourages anglers to catch responsibly, document, and release trophy bass, rewarding their efforts and aiding the FWC in gathering crucial data for the conservation and management of Florida’s freshwater fisheries.
For further details on the TrophyCatch program, KP Clements at KP.Clements@MyFWC.com can be contacted. And for those seeking the latest fishing insights, the FWC’s Freshwater Fishing Forecasts provides a wealth of information on Florida’s favorite fishing spots.
