About Fellsmere

Fellsmere grade recreation area, also known as Fellsmere Reservior, Lake Eden, Headwaters Lake, and Lake Headwaters, is a 10 000 acre humanmade world class lake in Indian River county bordering Farm 13, Stick Marsh, Blue Cypress Lake, and Lake Garica. FWC and SJRWMD conducted extensive habitat work before flooding and making this a bass fishery. The structural habitat and numerous underwater features are designed to provide a once-in-a-lifetime bass fishing experience with many sport fishing opportunities.

Once the reservoir flooded, FWC stocked nearly 1,000,000 sport fish, along with crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. It took years to open the fishery; management actions and fish population sampling have shown the bass population has flourished in this habitat rich environment. Continue to read more to understand the structure, fishing patterns, boat ramp, maps, and why anglers think it’s world class!  Read More

Fellsmere Reservoir Fishing

Why fish Fellsmere? In simple terms, most fishing lakes show real highs and lows, and while Lake Egan has days when you are not setting your PB more than average, it continues to be an incredible bass fishing factory. Many rumors report catches in triple-digit quantities in a single day, which we have experienced and accomplished many times with customers.

However, significant numbers keep anglers busy because this is a place where the odds of numbers will pay off. You can only catch so many fish before that big hits. There is ample opportunity to target only trophies, with specific techniques like flipping or simply using wild shiners.

Like most places, the winds can take a toll on water quality. The usual water supply quality is excellent, but don’t be surprised if it changes. Just make an adjustment, find cleaner water, and you will get the results you want.

Water level depth varies by season and rainy season, but 6 feet is what they are looking to keep the average depth around. Now, that’s the average; there are much shallower spots, so use caution, but there are some areas as deep as 30 feet.

Best Techniques for Big Bass

There are thousands of acres of underwater vegetation, submerged trees, and expansive amounts of quality hydrilla. The thousands of acres of emergents and the visual look of cattails and spatterdock pads leads you to not knowing where to cat next. Please start with bass fishing’s basic rules, find something that looks healthy, and cast to it. Catch one, that’s luck, catch two, that’s a pattern. Keep track of what the bass are holding to and look for more of that area and structure.

For years, the bass angler has heard bass fishing anglers saying how hard Lake Okeechobee was to the pattern because of its size and that it all looks so good; where do you start? Well, folks, this place is no different. From the time you put your boat in the water, it is very fishy, which is perhaps the only downside to fishing Headwaters Lake.

Fish your strength, if, like pounding shorelines, there are plenty here. Do you like targeting submerged trees? Well, there is an endless amount. Maybe underwater vegetation is your thing, ripen rattle traps or slow rolling a swimbait through the grass, well good news, you’re going to need about a month to fish it all. Stick to your strength when fishing this location, whether that’s fishing fast or slow, and you will find the fish!

Fishing Equipment:

• Spinning Rods
• Baitcasting Rods
• Left & Right Handed
• Fly Rods (request only)
• Braid & Mono Line

Fellsmere Reservoir Directions

Headwaters Lake is directly east of Sebastian, Florida, and just South of Melbourne on the Treasure Coast. Where you can find the local Bass Pro Shops named after the local fishery “Stick Marsh Outpost.” Located on the border between Brevard and Indian River counties, which is separated by the C-54 canal.

As you drive down Stick Marsh Road, this is the canal on your north side; it runs west to a spillway at the Stick Marsh boat ramp area. I-95 is the best option for traveling from the north or south. Because of the interstate access, the reservoir is a pleasant drive for anyone from any direction.

North

I am coming from the north, exit Malabar road on I-95 in Palm Bay. Exit east, turn south on Babcock Street, go for approximately 11 miles. Look for a small concrete bridge; it’s labeled the C54 canal; turn right after the bridge onto Fellsmere Grade Road.

South

If traveling from the south, exit Fellsmere Rd off I-95. Head west on SR512 into the town of Fellsmere. Turn right on N Broadway Street, go 1/4 mile, then take a left on South Carolina Ave. Go 1/4 mile again and take a right onto SR507.

Look for a small concrete bridge; it’s labeled the C54 canal; turn left before the bridge onto Fells Grade Road.

Continue west on Fells Grade Road, following the C54 canal on your right for approximately 7 miles. The road has improved over the years; it is a graded dirt road. Like all dirt roads, it can be dusty during the summer, bumpy anytime, and have lots of puddles during the rainy season.
The speed limit is posted 35mph, but you will find the people that creep and others that almost fly. It’s 5 miles give or take, to Headwaters lake boat ramp and park lot, which will be on your left; if you continue to the end, this is the Stick Marsh Farm 13 park lot and overflow lot for the Fellsmere lake ramp.

Come Early

Being new, we have seen the park lot complete busing at the seems, there is typically plenty of parking, but the fishing continues to bring more people. An overflow area for times of high use has been established, which helps. Do not park along the main road; you will be towed. Wintertime brings tourists from the north, duck season for locals, and crappie anglers. This is the prime season, so plan on the parking lot being full.

A few covered picnic areas make for a nice family picnic if you pass through. It also has public grills and restrooms, which are fancy outhouse style bathrooms.

Note: Additional parking is available 2 miles west at the Stick Marsh boat ramp.

Fellsmere Reservoir Map