This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for May 7, 2025.

We’re heading into another beautiful South Florida morning on the Big O. Sunrise was at 6:48 AM and you’ll have fishable daylight until sunset at 8:02 PM. Weather is picture-perfect today: clear skies, light winds, and temperatures rising into the low 80s by midday, ideal for a comfortable day on the water[4].

Water levels continue to drop, now just above 11 feet, which is well below the normal May average. This drop has pushed the bass and crappie into tighter cover and predictable ambush spots, especially along the thriving edges of hydrilla, cattails, and pepper grass. Vegetation is looking healthy, setting the table for some excellent action[2][4].

Fishing has been red hot this week. Bass anglers are talking about a true bonanza out here—loads of largemouths in the 4 to 6 pound range and several trophy fish topping 8 pounds landed just in the past few days[4][5]. There have even been daily catches of 5 to 8 pound bass with enough action to keep things interesting; some boats are putting 50 to 100 fish a day in the boat[5]. The FWC TrophyCatch program has already logged well over 400 “Lunker Club” bass (8+ pounds) for this season[4].

Crappie fishing is also on fire. Folks chasing slabs are bragging about 100-150 fish days, with keepers coming in at 12 to 14 inches and some pushing the 2-pound mark[3].

For bait, wild shiners are always the top ticket on Okeechobee for lunker bass, especially fished near the edges of thick grass or isolated reed heads. If you're throwing artificials, the most productive lures right now are black and blue or junebug-colored soft plastics, swimbaits, and classic white spinnerbaits. Topwater bite is picking up at first light, so don’t leave the house without a frog or popper tied on[5][4].

Live minnows and small jigs in chartreuse or white are the best bet for crappie. Work them slowly around submerged grasses or in slight openings at the edges of lily pads[3].

A couple of hot spots worth checking today include the north shore around Eagle Bay and Tin House Cove, which have been consistent for bass, and the Harney Pond area on the west side, especially for crappie action.

With clear conditions and concentrated fish, now’s prime time to get out and hook into something special. Tight lines, stay safe, and happy fishing on Lake Okeechobee.

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025. The Big O is absolutely firing on all cylinders today!

Water levels continue their steady decline, sitting well below 13 feet now - a trend we've been watching since late March. This drawdown has created some incredible fishing opportunities across the lake as fish concentrate in predictable areas.

Weather-wise, we're looking at another beautiful day on the water with clear skies, light winds, and temperatures climbing into the low 80s by midday. Sunrise was at 6:46 AM and we'll have daylight until about 8:03 PM, giving you plenty of time to hook those lunkers.

Folks, I'm telling you straight - the bass fishing remains nothing short of spectacular! This past weekend saw many anglers reporting excellent catches of largemouth bass, with most in the 4-6 pound range and several trophies over 8 pounds. The FWC TrophyCatch program has already logged over 466 Lunker Club bass from Lake Okeechobee this season.

The Crappie bite has also been on fire recently! Many guides are reporting 100-150 fish days with some really nice slabs in the 12-14 inch range weighing up to two pounds. That's some serious panfish action!

For today's hot spots, I'd focus efforts along the west wall and north toward Bird Island - these areas have been consistently productive. The Buckheadridge area and Kings Bar are also worth checking out. With water temps where they are, those rim canals and outside vegetation edges are holding good numbers.

Lure selection is pretty straightforward right now. For bass, swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that mimic shad are getting crushed. If you're targeting those bigger girls, flip creature baits, Senkos, flukes, and jigs into the heavier cover. For crappie, small minnows and jigs around vegetation are your best bet.

Live bait anglers should stick with golden shiners for bass - they remain the top producer. For crappie, live minnows are hard to beat.

Remember, with the falling water levels, fish are being pushed out of the marsh areas and positioning along outside edges of vegetation, creating perfect ambush points for those big girls.

That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing - see y'all on the water!

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025.

The Big O is absolutely showing off today, folks! We're continuing to see those water levels sitting nice and low around 12.5 feet above sea level, which has been fantastic for vegetation growth. That healthy grass means happy fish, and we're seeing it in the catches!

Weather-wise, we're looking at another beauty of a day with clear skies, light winds, and temperatures climbing into the low 80s by mid-morning. Sunrise was at 6:47 AM and you'll have sunlight until about 8:03 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water.

Let me tell you, this bass bonanza we've been experiencing all week is still going strong! With these dropping water levels, those lunkers are concentrating in predictable areas. Guides have been reporting daily catches of 50-100 fish, with many beauties in the 5-8 pound range. Just yesterday, several anglers brought in trophies over 8 pounds! The FWC TrophyCatch program has already recorded over 466 Lunker Club bass from Lake Okeechobee this season.

But it ain't just about the bass, y'all! The crappie bite has been absolutely on fire lately. We've seen reports of 100-150 fish days with some real slabs in the 12-14 inch range weighing up to two pounds. That's some serious action!

For lures, you can't go wrong with swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that mimic shad right now – they're getting crushed! If you're targeting those bigger girls, flip those creature baits, Senkos, flukes, and jigs into the heavier cover. Live bait anglers, stick with those golden shiners – they remain the top producer.

As for hot spots, I'd focus efforts along the west wall and north toward Bird Island – those areas have been producing consistently. Buckheadridge area and Kings Bar up north are also worth checking out. The fish are starting to pull out from the marsh areas and positioning along the outside edges of vegetation, so target those areas for your best chance at a wall-hanger.

With these water temps climbing, don't overlook those rim canals and outside vegetation edges – they're holding good numbers right now.

That's all I got for you today, folks! Remember to stay hydrated out there and practice catch and release when you can. This is Artificial Lure signing off – tight lines and big catches to ya!

Good morning folks this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Saturday May 3 2025. If you are heading out onto the Big O today you are in for some great action. Let us get into the details.

Lake levels have been dropping consistently and are sitting just below 12.8 feet. This has exposed a lot of fresh grass and made for excellent bass habitat but also means you have to be a bit more careful navigating around stumps and shallows. Take it slow especially if you are heading into some of the marshy backwaters.

Weather today is just about perfect for fishing. Expect clear skies with a light breeze. Sunrise was around 6:40 AM and sunset will be close to 8:00 PM so you have a long day to hit the water. Water temperatures are rising and hovering in the upper 70s to low 80s. These warming conditions have the bite steady through the morning and picking up again late in the afternoon as the sun starts to dip.

Now onto the fishing. The bass bite is absolutely on fire right now. Local guides and regulars are reporting anywhere from 50 to 100 bass a day per boat and there have been plenty of 5 to 8 pounders caught this week. Fish are pulling out of the deeper marshes and stacking along the outside edges of the grass as well as rim canals. Bass are still spawning in some areas thanks to the mild water temperatures so you could still find big females shallow.

For lure selection you cannot go wrong with swim jigs crankbaits and jerkbaits that mimic shad. Chartreuse and white have been highly productive. For flipping into cover creature baits and Senkos are getting hammered. Jigs pitched into thick grass are producing some of the biggest fish of the week. If you prefer live bait the golden shiner bite is unbeatable lately – that is still the top ticket for trophy bass.

Crappie fishing is also going strong with slabs being caught mostly in deeper holes and channels. Bream are starting to show up too as spring progresses. Best baits for panfish are live minnows or simple beetle spins.

For hot spots today you definitely want to try the west wall and north towards Bird Island. Up north the Buckheadridge area and Kings Bar are also on fire and worth a stop. If you are fishing out of Clewiston the deep dynamite holes between Clewiston and Ritta Island are loaded with bass and panfish.

Be sure to wear your sunscreen stay hydrated and keep an eye out for shallow spots as you run the lake at these lower levels. Tight lines and good luck out there from your local angling expert Artificial Lure.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for May 2, 2025.

The Big O is looking mighty fine this morning! Water levels have been slowly falling for months now, sitting around 12.5 feet above sea level. This drawdown is actually great news for us fishermen, as it's given time for the grass to grow, creating perfect habitat for those monster bass we're all chasing.

The bass fishing has been absolutely on fire lately! Guides are reporting daily catches of 50-100 fish, with many in the 5-8 pound range. That's some serious action, folks! The lower water levels have fish starting to pull out from the marsh areas and positioning along the outside edges of vegetation.

For today, I'd focus my efforts along the west wall and north toward Bird Island - those areas have been producing consistently. The Buckheadridge area and Kings Bar up north are also hot spots worth checking out. With water temps climbing, those rim canals and outside vegetation edges are holding good numbers.

Lure selection is pretty straightforward right now. Swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that mimic shad are getting crushed. If you're targeting the bigger girls, flip those creature baits, Senkos, flukes, and jigs into the heavier cover. And if you're a live bait angler, golden shiners remain the top producer.

One thing to be careful about - navigation can be tricky with the lower water. Stick to the outside grass lines where there's more water and fewer rock formations. I've seen plenty of lower units destroyed by folks who don't know where to run. If you're unfamiliar with the lake, consider hiring a guide to show you the safe routes.

The FWC TrophyCatch program shows Lake Okeechobee has produced 466 Lunker Club bass (8-9.9 pounds) and 68 Trophy Club bass (10-12.9 pounds). Pretty impressive numbers that prove the quality of this fishery!

Two hot spots to try today: the deep dynamite holes near Clewiston to Ritta Island have been producing consistently, and the Clewiston area has been showing great results in recent tournaments.

Remember, even though it's May, bass are still spawning until water temps exceed about 80°F, so keep an eye out for those bedding fish.

That's all from Lake O today, folks! This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for this beautiful Wednesday morning, April 30th, 2025.

Folks, I gotta tell ya, the water levels have been droppin' steadily for months now, sittin' at about 11.39 feet NGVD as of yesterday. That's way down from last year's 14.28 feet, so please use extreme caution when y'all are out on the water[5].

The good news? These lower water levels are concentratin' the fish in certain areas, makin' for some mighty fine catchin' if you know where to look. The early mornin' has been the prime time to be on the water lately[1].

What's bitin'? Well, the bass, bluegill, and shellcracker action has been pretty darn good[1]. But I'll tell ya what's really been on fire - the Crappie bite! We've been seein' some incredible days with anglers pullin' in 100-150 fish, with some real nice ones in the 12-14 inch range weighin' up to two pounds. Folks have been catchin' multiple limits in just a few hours[3][4].

For you bass enthusiasts, they're still out there too. Just ask Nancy D. who had "sooo much fun" with Captain Mike recently. According to her, Mike had to "hunt hard, but found the Bass" and they had a "marvelous time"[3].

For the best spots, I'd recommend checkin' out the areas where fish are concentratin' due to the lower water levels. The canals and deeper holes are holdin' good numbers. Also, those fish attractors can be productive, but watch out for 'em! One local captain had a bit of a "boo boo" with his boat recently, strikin' an underwater obstruction[2].

As for baits and lures, live shiners are always a good bet for the big bass. For artificial, try flippin' soft plastics around vegetation edges. For those crappies, small jigs and minnows have been doin' the trick.

The recent rainfall might have stirred things up a bit, so be prepared to adjust your tactics. Yesterday saw some significant rainfall around the lake, which could affect water clarity in some areas[5].

Hot spots to try? The Kissimmee River mouth has been producin' well, and the area around Horse Island has been good for those crappie. Just remember to be careful with those water levels!

That's your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for today, April 30th, 2025. Y'all be safe out there, and tight lines to everyone! This is Artificial Lure signin' off until next time!

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The fishing out here keeps rolling right along as we slide deeper into spring, and the bite is as lively as you could hope for.

First off, our day kicks off with sunrise at 6:53 AM and sunset stretching out until 7:46 PM, so you’ve got plenty of daylight to chase your catch. Weather is sitting pretty with highs reaching around 81 degrees. Skies are partly cloudy and we have a gentle breeze out of the west-northwest at about 10 miles an hour—that puts a light chop on the open main lake, so I’d recommend tucking into those sheltered reed lines and grass pockets if you want calmer water to fish[3].

Water levels have been gradually falling, now right around 12 feet. That’s pushed bass and panfish tighter to the vegetation, canal cuts, and drop-offs. Use your electronics to pick out isolated cover and don’t overlook newly exposed structure—those are hot spots right now[1][3].

Bass are still firing, hanging out shallow with the tail end of the spawn. The magic lures lately have been Texas-rigged plastics in watermelon and junebug, white swim jigs, and of course, topwater frogs for those early and late bites. Fish slow around hydrilla, dollar pads, and cattail edges. Plenty of anglers are reporting daily hauls of chunky 3 to 5 pound largemouths, and it’s not unusual to see a true trophy or two every week[3].

If you’re after crappie, get ready for some rod-bending action. The bite’s been as hot as we’ve seen all year, with multiple recent outings boating between 100 and 150 fish. Most are a solid 12 to 14 inches and pushing up to two pounds. Minnows and small jigs are doing the trick, especially around canal mouths and the clearer water out from the Kissimmee River and Harney Pond Canal. Look for them to be stacking up a little deeper on brush and around submerged vegetation[2][4].

For bait, wild shiners are still the gold standard for big bass. If you’re working artificials, stick with natural colors to match the forage. For crappie, live minnows on a slip bobber or tiny hair jigs in white, pink, or chartreuse will keep you busy.

A couple of the hottest spots right now include the Tin House Cove area and along the west wall from Harney Pond down toward Observation Shoal. Fish have been bunching up there with water on the drop and plenty of good cover.

That’s it for today’s Lake Okeechobee update. The bite is strong, the weather is fair, and with the lake low, now’s your chance to find those honey holes before the crowds do. Tight lines, y’all, and I’ll see you out on the water[1][3].

This is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Monday, April 21, 2025 Lake Okeechobee fishing report. The sun peeked up over the horizon at 6:51 AM this morning and will be setting around 7:47 PM, giving us nearly 13 hours of prime fishing time on the Big O.

Weather's looking mighty fine today with temperatures climbing to about 82 degrees under partly cloudy skies. We've got west-northwest winds around 10 mph, which ain't too bad, but you might encounter some chop out on open water. My advice is to stick to protected areas, especially early in the day.

Lake levels are sitting at about 12 feet, which is considerably lower than we've seen in recent years. The water's been falling slowly for months now, and that means you need to be extra careful navigating, especially if you're not familiar with the lake. Watch for those submerged hazards and shallow spots that weren't a problem last year.

The fishing has been absolutely fantastic lately! The bass bite remains strong as we're catching the tail end of the spawn. Anglers have been hauling in plenty of 3-5 pounders, with some lucky folks connecting with larger fish. Just this past weekend, I heard about a fella who caught himself a beautiful 7-pounder - might be the fish of a lifetime for some!

For bass, you'll want to throw Texas-rigged plastics in watermelon or junebug colors. White swim jigs have been producing well, and don't forget those topwater frogs for early morning and evening action. Fish slow around hydrilla edges and reed patches for your best chance at a walloper.

The crappie fishing has been on fire! Reports coming in of 100-150 fish days with some beauties measuring 12-14 inches and weighing up to two pounds. That's some serious slab action, folks!

As for hot spots, with the lower water levels, I'd recommend focusing on Harney Pond Canal and the Kissimmee River mouth. The fish are stacking up around remaining vegetation, canal entrances, and drop-offs. Another productive area has been the west wall near Clewiston, where the deeper water is holding good numbers of fish.

For panfish, crickets and worms are still your best bet, while minnows are working wonders for the crappie. Don't forget your ultralight tackle if you're going after these tasty fighters.

Remember, with these lower water levels, your electronics are your best friend. Use them to locate those submerged honey holes where the big ones are hiding.

This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines, y'all, and I'll see you on the water!

Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report for April 20, 2025

Good morning from Lake Okeechobee, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh fishing report. As we roll deeper into April, conditions around the Big O are a real mixed bag – but the bite is still strong if you know where to look.

First up, water levels are noticeably down, sitting around 12 feet. That’s almost two feet below the April average, so it’s shifting fish patterns a bit from what you may be used to in spring. Focus your efforts on areas with remaining vegetation, especially near drop-offs and at the mouths of canals. Lower water concentrates fish, but also makes them a bit spookier, so stealth and patience are key out there[5].

Weather today is prime for a day on the water: expect partly cloudy skies, a high around 81 degrees, and gentle west-northwest winds at 10 miles per hour. These mild conditions are comfortable, though the breeze may kick up a little chop, especially in open areas. Sunrise came up at 6:51 AM, with sunset set for 7:51 PM, so you’ve got a solid window for both morning and evening bites[4][5].

Fish activity lately has been dominated by a red-hot crappie bite. Folks are pulling up 100-plus fish a day, with slabs in the 12 to 14-inch range and some topping two pounds. If you’re chasing panfish, jigs and minnows are hard to beat. For bass, the story is about persistence: numbers aren’t huge with these lower water levels, but the quality is still there. Stick with soft plastics like Senkos and flukes, and don’t be afraid to downsize your presentation. Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits have also been getting attention around the edges of grass mats, especially in early morning or late afternoon[1][2][3][5].

Best bait for crappie is live minnows or small tube jigs in white, chartreuse, or pink. For bass, go with watermelon or junebug worms, white spinnerbaits, and black-blue jigs. Shiners always catch fish if you want to go live[3][5].

A couple of hot spots worth your time: check the Kissimmee River mouth, especially along the edges, and the Tin House Cove area, which is still holding good numbers of both bass and crappie. Also, the rim canals are worth a look, especially where you find clear water and some shaded cover[5].

Overall, it’s a classic spring transition. Adjust for lower water, be patient, and you’ll find fish. Good luck and tight lines out there on the Big O!

This is Artificial Lure coming to you with your Saturday, April 19, 2025 Lake Okeechobee fishing report.

The sun came up this morning at 6:53 AM and it will set around 7:46 PM, giving us a long, bright day out on the water. Weather is looking mighty good for spring angling, with partly cloudy skies and a high near 81 degrees. Winds are west-northwest around 10 miles per hour, which keeps things comfortable, though you might see a bit of chop on open water so hug those sheltered shorelines and vegetation pockets.

Lake levels are lower than usual at about 12 feet, so you will want to keep an eye out for exposed structure and shallow flats. The water has been falling for months now, and that means the fish are stacking up around remaining vegetation, canal mouths, and drop-offs. Use your electronics to find those submerged spots where bass and crappie are holding tight[1][4].

Bass fishing is still excellent. The tail end of the spawn is keeping the bigger fish shallow, and plenty of 3 to 5 pound largemouths are coming over the rail every day. Texas-rigged plastics in watermelon or junebug, white swim jigs, and topwater frogs are all getting hit hard early and late. If you fish slow around hydrilla edges or reed patches, you are likely to hook up[5].

The crappie bite is nothing short of fire right now, with anglers reporting 100-plus fish days. Most crappie are running 12 to 14 inches and some pushing two pounds. Live minnows on a slip bobber and small jigs in chartreuse or pink are the way to go. Look for them around the Kissimmee River mouth and Tin House Cove[2][3].

Bluegill and shellcracker are also showing up in good numbers. Use red worms or crickets under a cork along the grass lines and you should fill a bucket in no time[5].

Best hot spots are the Monkey Box and Harney Pond Canal for bass, and the Kissimmee River entrance and Tin House Cove for crappie and panfish. With the low water, stick to the deeper cuts and edges, and avoid running flats you don’t know well.

Remember, downsize your baits, be patient, and stay persistent out there. The fish are biting, the air feels great, and springtime on Okeechobee is hard to beat.

This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and good luck!