Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for March 17, 2025. Let me tell ya, it's shaping up to be a beautiful day on the Big O!

Sunrise was at 7:31 AM and sunset will be at 7:32 PM. Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with a high of 84°F and a light breeze from the southeast. Perfect conditions for a day on the water! Now, being a freshwater lake, we don't have tides to worry about, but the water level is sitting pretty at 13.2 feet above sea level.

Folks, the bass fishing has been on fire lately! We've been seeing some monster largemouths coming out of the lake, with several 8-10 pounders caught this past week. The spawn is winding down, but there are still some big females hanging around the beds.

For you crappie enthusiasts, the bite has been steady too. Anglers have been pulling in decent numbers of slabs, with some real jumbos in the 2-pound range.

As for lures, you can't go wrong with a large wild shiner if you're after those trophy bass. But if you're throwing artificials, I've been hearing great things about swimjigs in white or green pumpkin, rigged with a Zoom Super Speed Craw. Topwater frogs are working well in the early morning, especially around the lily pads.

For the crappie, small minnows are always a good bet, but if you're jigging, try a 1/16 oz jighead with a chartreuse or white soft plastic.

Now, let me hip you to a couple of hot spots. The Monkey Box on the west side of the lake has been producing some real hawgs. Also, don't overlook Harney Pond Canal - it's been on fire for both bass and crappie.

Remember, folks, the fish are there and they're hungry. You just gotta outsmart 'em! Tight lines, and I'll catch y'all next time!