Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for March 23, 2025. Sunrise today was at 7:29 AM, and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:33 PM, giving us a full day to wet our lines.

Weather's looking mighty fine with highs around 80°F and a light breeze from the southeast at 5-10 mph. No tides to worry about on this big ol' freshwater lake, but water levels are holding steady at about 14 feet.

Let me tell you, the fishing's been red hot lately! We've been seeing lots of chunky largemouth bass in the 5-8 pound range, with a few lucky anglers landing some real monsters pushing 10-12 pounds. The bass are in all stages of the spawn right now, so you can find 'em shallow and deep.

Crappie fishing has also been on fire, with reports of 100-150 fish days not uncommon. Some real slabs in the 12-14 inch range weighing up to 2 pounds have been caught. Don't forget about the bluegill and shellcracker either - they're starting to move shallow for their spawn.

For bass, bladed jigs and hollow-body frogs have been the ticket. Throw those bad boys around vegetation edges and you're in for some explosive action. Soft plastic stick baits like Senkos, rigged either wacky or Texas-style, are also producing well. Don't forget to pack some punch rigs with compact craws for the thick stuff.

If you're after crappie, minnows and small jigs are the way to go. Try fishing around brush piles and stake beds. Live shiners are always a good bet for big bass if you prefer live bait.

As for hot spots, the Monkey Box on the west shore has been producing some real hawgs. The North Shore area is also a good bet, especially if the wind kicks up. For a change of pace, try the Kissimmee River - that's where the big boys have been hanging out lately.

Remember, folks, the lake's fishing small this time of year, so don't be afraid to move around until you find the honey hole. Tight lines and good luck out there!