Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The Big O is living up to its reputation this week, with water levels still slowly falling and sitting just above 11 feet, lower than our typical May average. That drop has stacked up the bass and crappie in tighter schools, making for some prime fishing conditions out there.

Weather today started off in the low 70s at sunrise, which was right around 6:45 AM, and we’re looking at a high in the mid-80s by later afternoon. Winds are staying easy, giving us glassy water across most of the lake. Sunset will be around 8:05 PM tonight, so there’s plenty of daylight to get in on the action[2][4].

Bass fishing has been absolutely red hot. Anglers are reporting 50-100 fish days, with plenty of 5 to 8 pound largemouths being caught. There have even been some trophies over 8 pounds coming in this past week, and more than a few folks have said they’ve caught the biggest bass of their lives out here recently[2][3][5]. Crappie are also biting like crazy, with some boats pulling in 100-150 slabs a day, a lot of them in the 12-14 inch, two-pound range[3].

As for lures, your best bet right now is working the outside grass lines with moving baits. Try a white or shad-colored chatterbait, spinnerbait, or a swim jig early in the morning. Once that sun gets high, switch over to soft plastics like Senkos or speed worms, especially in Junebug or watermelon red colors. Live wild shiners are always a sure thing if you want to go the bait route for big bass. For crappie, jigs in white or chartreuse are producing, and live minnows will fill your livewell in a hurry[5].

If you’re looking for hot spots, South Bay is producing great bass action, especially along the outside grass edges. The Tin House Cove area is another solid choice, both for bass and slabs. Eagle Bay and the Kissimmee River mouth are loaded up with fish right now too, thanks to that lower water[2][4][5].

With these water levels, be extra careful running outside the grass lines, as rocks and shallows are lurking just beneath the surface. If you’re not sure, best to idle through the tricky spots or link up with a local guide who knows the safe routes.

Get out there and enjoy this prime spring bite on Lake Okeechobee. Tight lines and stay safe on the water!

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 19th, 2025.

The water levels have been slowly falling for months now, sitting at about 12.5 feet above sea level. This lower water has been great for vegetation growth, which means better habitat for our bass population and improved water clarity thanks to those hardworking grass shrimp.

Let me tell you, the fishing has been absolutely on fire lately! The Crappie bite has been spectacular with many anglers reporting 100-150 fish days. Some real slabs out there too, with 12-14 inchers weighing up to two pounds being caught regularly.

As for the largemouth bass, they're still king on Big O. Guides have been reporting daily catches of bass in the 5-8 pound range, with some lucky anglers landing monsters up to 7 pounds. On a good day, you can expect to boat 50-100 quality fish if you know what you're doing.

For those looking to get in on the action, I recommend focusing on the outside grass lines where the water's deeper. Be careful navigating though - there are rock formations scattered throughout the lake that can tear up your lower unit quicker than a gator can snap up a shiner. If you're new to the lake, consider hiring a local guide who knows the safe routes.

Best spots right now? The areas around Clewiston have been producing consistently. Also worth checking out are the deeper vegetation edges where bass are holding before the real summer heat pushes them deeper.

For tackle, plastic worms and swimbaits have been working great for the bass. For those crappie, small jigs in white and chartreuse are hard to beat. Live shiners are always a solid choice for the bigger bass if artificial lures aren't getting it done.

Remember to stay off those grass beds and make sure you're idling in the appropriate zones. The FWC officers are out and about, and they don't take kindly to tearing up the habitat.

Weather looks stable this week with typical May patterns - morning fishing should be your best bet before the afternoon heat and potential thunderstorms roll in.

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing to ya! Get out there while the bite is hot!

Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report - May 18, 2025

Good morning anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday fishing update for the Big O.

We're looking at another beautiful day on Lake Okeechobee with temps starting in the low 70s and climbing to the mid-80s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:45 AM and you'll have good fishing light until sunset at 8:05 PM. Winds are staying nice and light today, making for perfect conditions across the lake.

Water levels have been steadily falling for months now, sitting just above 11 feet, which is below our typical May average[1][4]. This drop has concentrated the fish into predictable areas, creating some exceptional fishing opportunities that many locals have been taking advantage of.

Let me tell you folks, the bass fishing has been absolutely on fire! We're seeing consistent catches of 5-8 pounders daily, with some boats reporting 50-100 fish days[4][5]. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds were landed this past week, and one lucky angler even caught a 7-pounder that was the biggest bass of his life[3].

The crappie bite has also been spectacular, with numerous reports of 100-150 fish days featuring beautiful 12-14 inch slabs weighing up to two pounds[2][3][4]. This is prime time to fill your cooler if you're targeting these tasty panfish.

For bass, I'm recommending topwater lures early morning, switching to soft plastics and crankbaits as the day progresses. The declining water levels have pushed bass to the outer edges of vegetation and into deeper holes. Watermelon red and junebug colored worms have been particularly effective.

For crappie, small minnows and jigs in chartreuse and white have been the ticket. Fish are holding in deeper water adjacent to vegetation lines.

Hot spots this week include the Kissimmee River mouth, where several trophy bass have been landed, and the area around Observation Shoal for those monster crappie hauls. The western side of the lake near Harney Pond Canal has also been producing consistent numbers.

Local guides Mike and Bill have been putting clients on fish consistently, with many folks booking additional days after seeing the action firsthand[2][3]. If you're looking for a guide, these fellas know their stuff.

Remember folks, with the water levels down, be extra careful navigating the shallows. Many of the usual routes have less clearance than you might expect.

That's the word from Lake Okeechobee today. Get out there while the bite is hot! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines, y'all!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Saturday morning fishing report for May 17th, 2025, straight from the Big O.

We're looking at another beautiful day on Lake Okeechobee with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-80s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:43 AM, and you'll have good fishing light until sunset at 8:06 PM. Winds are staying light today at 5-7 mph from the southeast, creating near-perfect conditions across the lake.

Water levels have continued their steady decline over the past few months, now sitting just above 11 feet, which is below our typical May average. This drop has been a blessing in disguise, concentrating the fish into predictable areas and creating some exceptional fishing opportunities.

The bass fishing remains absolutely on fire! We've been seeing consistent catches of 5-8 pounders daily throughout the week, with several boats reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds were landed this past week, and the FWC TrophyCatch program numbers keep climbing. The morning topwater bite has been explosive - I've had great success with walking baits and poppers in the first two hours of daylight. As the sun gets higher, switch to flipping hydrilla mats with creature baits or working the edges with a 10-inch worm.

The crappie fishing has been equally impressive, with numerous reports of 100-150 fish days featuring beautiful 12-14 inch slabs weighing up to two pounds. This is prime time to fill your cooler if you're targeting these tasty panfish. Minnows under a float remain the top producer, but small jigs in white, chartreuse, or pink have been working great too.

For hot spots, I'd recommend Observation Shoal and the Kissimmee River mouth for bass. The fish have been stacked up along the outside grass edges. If you're after crappie, check out the deeper holes in Harney Pond Canal or the brushpiles near Clewiston. The locals have been keeping these spots pretty quiet, but I'm letting you in on the secret!

For bait, live wild shiners are always productive for trophy bass, while the artificial bite has been best on black and blue creature baits, junebug worms, and white swim jigs. For crappie, Missouri minnows have been outperforming all other live baits.

With water levels continuing to drop, be cautious navigating the lake, especially in the western sections. The fish are concentrated but so are the shallow spots that can damage your lower unit!

That's the report for today, folks. Get out there and tight lines to all of you!

Good morning folks, this is Artificial Lure bringing you today’s Lake Okeechobee fishing report for May 16, 2025. We’ve got another cracker of a day shaping up on the Big O, with prime conditions for anglers chasing both bass and crappie.

The weather this morning is warm and partly cloudy, running in the mid-70s at sunrise with a light breeze out of the southeast. Sunrise hit just before 6:40 AM and sunset is set for 8:05 PM, giving us a nice long window to get lines in the water. Water levels have been slowly dropping, sitting around 12.8 feet, so keep an eye out for those hidden stumps and shallows, especially if you’re running the marsh edges or venturing out from the ramps[5][4].

Now, onto the fishing itself. Crappie action remains red hot, especially early in the mornings. Anglers have been reporting 100 to 150 fish days, with slabs up to 14 inches and topping two pounds hitting the ice box. Jigging small minnows or bright colored jigs around the outside grass lines and deeper holes north of Bird Island and near Buckhead Ridge has been the ticket[1][2][4]. Don’t be afraid to move if you’re not on a school—they’re stacking up in tight bunches.

Bass fishing is also producing some solid numbers and plenty of quality fish. The rim canal and outside edges of the hydrilla are loaded with hungry largemouth, many still feeding heavily as we slide toward the end of the spring spawn. Swim jigs, shad-colored crankbaits, and soft jerkbaits like flukes or senkos are getting crushed, especially when worked near shad schools or tossed into holes in the vegetation. Flipping a heavy jig or creature bait into thick cover is still pulling out some trophies, and there’s been another wave of big bass caught this week, with several fish over 7 pounds reported and a few breaking into the 8-plus TrophyCatch class[5][4].

Live bait, particularly wild golden shiners, is hands-down the top choice if you’re hunting a true giant. Work those baitfish through the thicker grass or along the outside edges where water depth drops off for best results[5].

For hot spots, I’d point you toward the west wall, especially from Clewiston up toward Ritta Island, and the northern lake—Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar—where both bass and crappie are stacked up. The dynamite holes near Clewiston are turning out some reliable bites, too[5].

In summary, Lake Okeechobee is firing on all cylinders right now! Pack your sunscreen, launch early, and keep your bait in the strike zone. Tight lines and see you on the water!

Morning folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. If you’re heading out on the Big O, you picked a prime time to fish these legendary waters.

Sunrise was at 6:47 AM, and sunset will be at 8:03 PM. We’ve got a beautiful day shaping up with temps in the low 80s by the afternoon and just a light breeze out on the water. Water levels are sitting a touch above 11 feet, which is quite low for May and really bunching the fish into predictable spots. With the lake so low, you’ll want to pay extra attention to sandbars and watch for navigation hazards. The tidal influence here is minimal, so most of your success will depend on wind direction and water clarity[2][5].

The bass bite is absolutely on fire right now. There have been several 50 to 100 fish days reported this past week, and some trophy bass over 8 pounds have been caught, mostly up shallow or along the outside grass lines. The FWC TrophyCatch program has already logged over 400 lunker bass this season alone. If you’re after a big one, stick to soft plastic worms, creature baits, and flipping jigs in watermelon red or junebug colors. Topwater action has been good during early morning hours with frogs and walking baits. When the sun gets high, focus on punching thick mats with creature baits or jigs[2][5].

Crappie fishing has also been excellent. We’re seeing catches of 100 to 150 crappie in a day, with some real slabs running up to 14 inches and close to two pounds. Mini jigs and live minnows are the ticket for these panfish. Target them around submerged brush piles, deeper holes, and the edges of grass beds—especially in the Tin House Cove and Harney Pond Canal areas[1][3][5].

Catfish and bluegill have been biting too, mainly on worms and cut bait near the Kissimmee River and in the rim canals. If you want a mess of panfish, head out before the heat builds up in the afternoon.

Hot spots right now include the north end around Harney Pond Canal and Indian Prairie, and the west side near Tin House Cove and the Monkey Box. These areas are holding fish thanks to falling water and accessible cover.

Best advice—bring plenty of sunscreen and water, and be prepared for some fantastic fishing. The lake’s low, but the bite is high. Good luck out there, and tight lines!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 12, 2025.

Let me tell y'all, the action on Big O has been nothing short of spectacular these past few days! Water levels are sitting around 12.5 feet above sea level and have been slowly falling for months, which has been great for vegetation growth and creating perfect bass habitat.

The bass bite has been absolutely on fire! Folks have been reporting daily catches of 50 to 100 fish, with many in the 5 to 8-pound range. Just yesterday, several anglers were bringing in some real lunkers. If you're targeting those big bass, I'd recommend working the outside grass lines early morning with topwater frogs, then switching to plastic worms and creature baits as the day heats up.

But it ain't just the bass that are biting! The crappie fishing has been phenomenal too. We've been seeing 100-150 fish days with some beautiful specimens in the 12-14 inch range, weighing up to two pounds. Those paper mouths are really putting on a show!

For you crappie enthusiasts, small minnows and jigs in chartreuse or white have been the ticket. Try fishing around the deeper vegetation edges or suspended over deeper water.

As for hot spots, the south end of the lake near Clewiston has been producing consistently good numbers. Also, the western shoreline near Harney Pond Canal has been yielding some quality catches. Just remember to navigate carefully - those rock formations can tear up a lower unit quick if you don't know where you're going.

Weather-wise, we're looking at typical May conditions - warm and occasionally breezy. Perfect fishing weather if you ask me! Get out early to beat the heat and catch that morning bite.

Word of caution from a local: when running around the lake, stick to the outside grass lines where there's more water and fewer rock formations. If you're unfamiliar with the lake, hiring a guide like Captain Angie Douthit or Captain Mike might save your lower unit and put you on more fish.

Remember, the lower water levels have allowed the grass to flourish, which means more grass shrimp and clearer water - making for ideal fishing conditions throughout this month.

So grab your tackle, plenty of water, and sunscreen, and get out on Lake Okeechobee. The fish are biting, and they're waiting for you! This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines, y'all!

Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report - May 11, 2025

Hey anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning report for the Big O. We're looking at another gorgeous day on Lake Okeechobee with temperatures climbing into the low 80s by afternoon. Today's sunrise was at 6:47 AM, and you'll have good fishing light until sunset at 8:03 PM. Winds are staying light today, making for perfect conditions across the lake.

Water levels continue their steady decline, now sitting just above 11 feet, which is notably below our typical May average. This drop has concentrated the fish into predictable areas, creating some truly exceptional fishing opportunities over the past week.

Let me tell you folks, the bass fishing has been absolutely on fire! We're seeing consistent catches of 5-8 pounders daily, with some boats reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds were landed this past week, and the FWC TrophyCatch program has already recorded more than 400 "Lunker Club" bass this season.

The crappie bite has been equally impressive, with numerous reports of 100-150 fish days featuring some beautiful 12-14 inch slabs weighing up to two pounds. This is prime time to fill your cooler if you're targeting these tasty panfish.

For bass, your best bet is targeting the edges of hydrilla, cattails, and pepper grass where the vegetation is thriving despite lower water levels. These areas are creating perfect ambush points for hungry largemouths. Topwater action has been excellent in the early mornings – try walking baits or poppers before switching to soft plastics as the day heats up. Flipping creature baits or worms into thick cover is producing the bigger bites.

For crappie, minnows remain the top producer, but small jigs in white, chartreuse, or pink are also doing the job, especially when tipped with a minnow.

Hot spots this week include the western edges of Observation Shoal, the outside grass lines around Harney Pond Canal, and the north shore near Indian Prairie. Be careful running around out there – stick to the outside grass lines where there's more water and fewer rock formations. I've seen too many lower units destroyed by folks who don't know the lake.

That's your Sunday report for May 11th. Remember, the fish are concentrated due to the lower water, so find that vegetation and you'll find the fish. Good luck out there, and I'll catch y'all next time with another Lake Okeechobee fishing update.

This is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Folks, we're looking at another picture-perfect day on the Big O. Sunrise came in at 6:47 AM and you've got until about 8:03 PM before sunset, giving you plenty of daylight to haul in those lunkers. Weather-wise, we're seeing clear skies, light breezes around 5-7 mph, and temperatures climbing into the low 80s by midday. Just perfect May conditions for being out on the water.

Water levels continue their slow fall, now sitting just above 11 feet, which is below our normal May average. This drop has concentrated both bass and crappie into predictable spots, making for some explosive action this past week.

Let me tell you, the bass fishing has been nothing short of spectacular! We're seeing a real bonanza bite with countless 4-6 pounders being landed daily, and plenty of trophy fish over 8 pounds making appearances. Some boats are reporting 50-100 bass days, which is just unheard of for this time of year. The FWC TrophyCatch program has already logged over 400 "Lunker Club" bass this season from our lake.

As for crappie, they're showing up in big numbers too, with anglers bringing in slabs up to 2 pounds. Many guides are reporting 100-150 crappie days with quality fish in the 12-14 inch range.

For baits and lures, wild shiners are still the go-to for trophy bass hunters, but artificial lovers are cleaning up with 10-inch plastic worms in june bug or black/blue, swim jigs in white or green pumpkin, and chatterbaits around the edges of vegetation. For crappie, live minnows under a float or small jigs in chartreuse and white are filling livewells.

Hot spots right now include the east and south shorelines where healthy grass is thriving. The edges of hydrilla, cattails, and pepper grass are holding both bass and crappie. Specifically, I'd recommend hitting Observation Shoal early for that topwater bite, then moving to King's Bar as the sun gets up. Grassy Island and the Kissimmee River mouth are also producing consistently.

With these falling water levels, the fish are stacking up in predictable spots, so once you find them, you can catch them all day long. Just remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen because it's heating up out there.

This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines, bent rods, and I'll see you on the water!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Friday, May 9, 2025.

Sunrise hit this morning at 6:48 AM and you can fish all the way until sunset at 8:02 PM. Weather is looking perfect for a May day in South Florida—clear skies, light breeze, and temps rising into the low 80s by midday. No storms or hard winds in the forecast, so it’s an ideal time to get out on the water[3][5].

Water levels are still dropping, now sitting just above 11 feet, which is well below our normal for May. These low levels have pulled both bass and crappie into tighter vegetation, especially around the edges of hydrilla, cattails, and pepper grass. The lake vegetation is in great shape and the water clarity is solid in most spots[1][2][4].

The fishing bite has been on fire all week. For largemouth bass, it’s nothing short of a bonanza right now. Plenty of bass in the 4 to 6 pound range are coming in each day, and there’s been a good share of trophy fish over 8 pounds caught recently. Some boats are boating up to 100 bass in a day, especially on those stretches of healthy grass near the east and south shorelines. The FWC TrophyCatch program is reporting over 400 “Lunker Club” bass of 8 pounds or more tagged out of the lake this season alone[3][4].

Crappie fishing is also turning heads, with lots of anglers boating 100 to 150 fish a day. Most crappie are running between 12 and 14 inches, with some pushing two pounds. These slabs are being found in the outside grass lines, especially in water around 4 to 6 feet deep[4].

Best baits for bass right now are soft plastics like Senkos and Speed Worms, along with white or chartreuse spinnerbaits and topwater frogs early in the morning. For crappie, minnows and small jigs in white or pink are producing steady limits, especially with a slow retrieve through the grass edges[2][4][5].

If you’re heading out, a couple of hot spots worth trying are the Tin House Cove area on the north end, and the Monkey Box on the west side—both are stacked with fish and have healthy grass beds holding big bass and lots of slab crappie.

That’s the word from Lake Okeechobee today—tight lines, respect the fishery, and enjoy the big catches while the action is hot.