We're referring to 1,000-acre Lake Jackson in the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area of Osceola County, which, prior to the recent record drought, which totally disseminated its fish populations, was considered one of Florida's premier trophy bass hotspots.

According to Biologist Marty Mann of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Lake Jackson practically dried up during the drought.

"At its lowest point, Lake Jackson was reduced to about 50 acres of water with depths of only 6 inches," he said.

"Compounding the problem were high water temperatures, oxygen depletion and predatory activities from alligators and birds causing fish populations to dip to zero."

Mann went on to point out that before the drought, the FWC had 10 tagged bass that weighed between 5 and 9 pounds. Only two managed to survive by migrating to a deeper canal leading from Lake Jackson to Lake Kissimmee.

In addition to largemouth bass, healthy populations of bluegills, shellcrackers, speckled perch and catfish also vanished.

Because of this "natural" drawdown and the substrate (lake bottom) being exposed to sunlight, sediments were oxidized and, now that the lake has refilled, these nutrients will be available to "jump start" the food chain.

"Because new and vibrant terrestrial vegetation is initially abundant and is quickly replaced with aquatics, there will be an abundance of cover for juvenile fish for years to come," Mann enthused.

Basically starting from scratch, the FWC is creating a new lake.

In addition to installing four fish attractors, herbicide treatments were administered that targeted invasive plant species including cattails and water hyacinth. Also, a new water control structure to better manage water levels has been completed.

Last September, 20,000 channel catfish were stocked in Lake Jackson. This winter and this upcoming spring, 25,000 bass, bluegill and shellcracker will be placed into the lake, along with 50,000 speckled perch (crappie).

"Because these stocked fish will have no competition for food, all should enjoy an extremely fast growth rate," said Mann.

He estimates that bass will reach a legal size of 14 inches in total length in just two years and that quality-sized fish on the plus side of five pounds will be plentiful within five years.
Anglers might want to circle their calendars right now for late 2003 or 2004 and cash in on a brand spanking new fishery which holds promise of being red hot.