Lake George, one of the crown jewels of the St. Johns River system, has long been known for its clear waters and world class bass fishing. But after storms like hurricanes Matthew and Irma damaged eelgrass and other underwater plants, the iconic lake’s entire ecosystem was under threat.
If you’ve been following along with our work, you may remember when we first shared the story of efforts to restore this iconic fishery. Legendary angler and conservationist Johnny Morris made a personal donation of $200,000 to our Foundation support eelgrass restoration in Lake George, while the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund matched that contribution with an additional $200,000 grant to us, bringing the total investment in restoring the lake’s vital vegetation to $400,000.
With that support, biologists have been working to replant eelgrass and restore submerged aquatic vegetation throughout the lake. Crews have planted new vegetation and built protective enclosures that allow young plants to establish and grow. These efforts are helping rebuild the underwater habitat that fish and wildlife depend on.
Now it’s time to fill those grassy homes.
Earlier this year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stocked nearly 300,000 Florida bass in Lake George and the surrounding St. Johns River system. The stockings took place in February and March after fisheries staff spawned and raised bass to a quarter inch in length at the Florida Bass Conservation Center Richloam Fish Hatchery.
Stocking fish supports Florida’s iconic bass fishery, but the long term success of those fish depends on healthy habitat. When eelgrass and other submerged plants return, they provide the shelter and food young bass need to survive and grow.
Together, these efforts show how habitat restoration and fisheries management work hand in hand. By combining FWC’s scientific expertise and hatcheries with private conservation support from Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, and our Foundation, partners are helping restore one of Florida’s most celebrated fishing destinations.
As eelgrass continues to return and newly stocked bass grow and thrive, Lake George is becoming a powerful example of how collaboration can strengthen Florida’s fisheries. For anglers and conservationists alike, these efforts are helping ensure that Lake George remains a thriving ecosystem and a world class bass fishery for generations to come.
