# Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report - June 1, 2025

Howdy anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for the Big O. It's gonna be a scorcher today with temperatures climbing, but that ain't stopping the fish from biting!

Water levels are continuing their seasonal drop, sitting around 12 feet and falling. This receding water is pushing those big ol' bass out of the marsh areas and concentrating them along vegetation edges - making them easier to target!

The largemouth bite has been absolutely on fire! We're seeing consistent catches of 5-8 pounders daily, with many boats reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy bass over 8 pounds have been landed in the past few weeks, so today might be your lucky day to hook that lunker!

For you artificial enthusiasts, swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that mimic the abundant shad are your best bet as the water warms. If you're hunting trophy class fish, switch to creature baits, senkos, flukes, or flipping jigs in heavier cover. Live bait fishermen - golden shiners remain the top producer for big bass.

The crappie (or speck as we call 'em) fishing has been spectacular too, with reports of 100-150 fish days and some beautiful 12-14 inchers weighing up to two pounds.

For hot spots today, I'd recommend:

The Rim Canal - offering consistent fishing with easy access even with the dropping water levels

Harney Pond on the western side - the grass beds and hydrilla are holding some genuine trophy bass

Tin House Cove - clear water and abundant vegetation making it prime for both bass and panfish

With the continuing water drop, pay extra attention to those outside edges of vegetation where fish are pulling out of the marsh. The entire west wall and areas north towards Bird Island should be excellent fishing. Northern spots to key on include the Buckhead Ridge area and Kings Bar.

For you tournament anglers, Monkey Box on the northwest side continues to produce for competitive fishermen with its thick vegetation and hidden pockets of deeper water.

Sunrise was at 6:30 AM, and you've got until about 8:15 PM before sunset. The best bite has been in early morning and late afternoon when the heat isn't so oppressive.

Navigation warning: With these dropping water levels, be mindful of hazards, especially if you're not familiar with the lake. Consider hiring a guide if you're new to these waters - they'll keep you off the sandbars and on the fish.

Thanks for tuning in to your Sunday morning Lake Okeechobee fishing report. Don't forget to subscribe for daily updates on the hottest bite around the Big O. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Saturday, May 31st, 2025.

First things first, let’s talk weather and timing. Today, Okeechobee’s forecast is calling for moderate rain, so bring your rain gear, but don’t let a little wet stuff keep you off the water. Temps should range from the low to mid 70s, making for relatively comfortable fishing conditions. Sunrise was at 6:28 a.m. and sunset will settle in around 8:10 p.m., so there’s plenty of daylight for early and late bites. Keep an eye on those skies though, as rain can come quick this time of year.

Water levels are on the low side for this time of season—the lake is sitting at about 10.94 feet NGVD, which is over two feet below the norm for late May. That’s concentrating the fish around remaining vegetation, cuts, and structure, so plan on targeting those spots. Navigation in shallower backwaters is tricky; Route 1 is at 4.88 feet, Route 2 even shallower at 3.08 feet—be cautious if you’re running a big boat.

Bass are biting strong right now! There’s been an excellent largemouth bite, with recent tournaments seeing bags up to 29 pounds—Greg DiPalma topped a recent Phoenix Bass Fishing League weigh-in with nearly 30 pounds, while several other pros weighed over 20 pounds apiece. The “grind” is real, but if you get on them, you can absolutely stack up some big ones. Meanwhile, hybrid stripers and clown knifefish have also been reported on a solid chew, and with warmer weather rolling through, the peacock bass are expected to start feeding hard any day now.

For lures, you can’t go wrong with classic summertime staples: black and blue jigs pitched to heavy cover, Texas-rigged creature baits, or topwater frogs worked over the mats early and late. With the water dropping, focus on the outside edges of hydrilla, peppergrass, and the Kissimmee grass lines. If you’re after shiners, wild golden shiners are still the best live bait for trophy bass on Okeechobee.

Crappie are slowing down with the warming water, but bluegill and shellcracker are still active in the shallows, especially in and around Fisheating Creek. Beetle spins, crickets, and worms are top picks for those panfish.

For hotspots, the Monkey Box on the northwest corner remains one of the most reliable for big bass, thanks to its thick vegetation and deep pockets. Harney Pond, on the western edge, is producing quality fish as well, with grass beds and hydrilla holding plenty of lunkers. Tin House Cove gets a nod for summer consistency on both bass and panfish, and don’t sleep on Bay Bottom between Belle Glade and Grassy Island for steady bass action.

Remember, Taylor Creek’s S-193 Boat Lock is closed on weekends, so plan your launches accordingly.

That’s your Lake Okeechobee update for May 31st—thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more on-the-water insight. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Friday, May 30th, 2025.

We're looking at another beautiful day on the Big O with temperatures climbing into the mid-80s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:38 AM, and you'll have plenty of fishing time until sunset at 8:12 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 well below our typical May average. This drop has concentrated the fish into predictable areas, creating some truly exceptional fishing opportunities.

Let me tell y'all, the bass fishing continues to be absolutely on fire! We're consistently seeing 5-8 pounders being caught daily, with many boats reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds have been landed this past week. If you're targeting these big boys, artificial lures like plastic worms and topwater frogs are working wonders in the early morning and late afternoon.

The crappie bite remains downright impressive, with 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. Live minnows and small jigs are your best bet for these specks.

For those wondering where to cast your line today, I've got two hot spots for ya. First, check out Bay Bottom between Belle Glade and Grassy Island. This area's been producing monster bass consistently, and the calm waters make it accessible for shore fishing too. Second, head over to Fisheating Creek on the western side of the lake. It's absolutely perfect for kayaking anglers looking for that tranquil fishing experience with plenty of crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass.

With the water levels down, just remember to be extra cautious when running your boat. Stick to the outside grass lines where there's more water and fewer rock formations. I've seen too many lower units torn up by folks who don't know the proper routes. If you're new to the lake, consider hiring a guide who can show you the proper navigation channels.

That's all for today's report, folks. Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe for more up-to-date fishing reports from the Big O. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Hey there anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.

We're looking at another beautiful day on the Big O with temperatures climbing into the low 80s this afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:42 AM and we'll have good fishing light until sunset at 8:08 PM. Winds are staying light today, making for perfect conditions across the lake.

Water levels have been slowly falling for months now, currently sitting at around 10.9 feet, which is below our typical May average. The lake's been dropping steadily, with levels reported at 10.94 feet as of just a couple days ago. This decline has concentrated the fish into predictable areas, creating some truly exceptional fishing opportunities.

Folks, the bass fishing has been absolutely on fire lately! We're seeing consistent catches of 5-8 pounders daily, with some boats reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds have been landed in recent weeks. If you're targeting bass, focus on the edges of submerged vegetation where they're ambushing prey.

The crappie bite 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.

For bass, swim jigs in black/blue have been producing consistently, especially when paired with a Skinny Dipper in Magic Craw Swirl as a trailer. For the crappie, live minnows are always a safe bet, but small jigs tipped with crappie nibbles have been working just as well.

Hot spots this week include the western shoreline from Harney Pond to Dyess Ditch where the bass have been stacking up along the grass edges. For crappie, try the deeper holes near Bird Island or the brush piles near the Kissimmee River mouth.

Remember, with these lower water levels, be extra cautious about shallow areas and unmarked hazards. Stick to the marked channels when running at speed.

The bite has been best early morning and late afternoon, but with these stable weather conditions, we're seeing good action throughout the day.

Local guides have been limiting out regularly, so if you're new to the lake, booking a trip might be your best bet to get on the fish quickly.

That's it for today's report. Get out there and tight lines to ya! This is Artificial Lure signing off from the Big O.

This is Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Monday, May 26, 2025. Folks, Lake O is absolutely alive right now and the bite has been nothing short of fantastic. We’ve got some hot weather rolling in, with the morning starting in the low 70s, reaching mid-to-upper 80s by mid-afternoon. Sunrise came in just before 6:30 AM and sunset will be a bit after 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get after those fish.

The water level as of late March was around 12.8 feet, and it’s been dropping, so do be careful with navigation—there’s some skinny water out there and shallow marshes getting tougher to reach. Fish are pulling out towards the outer vegetation and working those edges, especially with the warm-up. Rim canal, the west wall from Clewiston toward Ritta Island, Buckhead Ridge, and Kings Bar on the north end are all producing well right now, so mark those as your go-to hotspots if you’re heading out[4].

The crappie (speck) bite has been on fire. Anglers are still pulling in 100 to 150 fish days, with plenty of slabs running 12 to 14 inches and pushing two pounds. Panfish in general are thick right now, and the bass bite is just as hot, with some anglers reporting personal bests and enough fish to fill a freezer[1][3][5]. Largemouth are schooling on the shad, working the rim canal and outside weed lines, and there’s still a bit of late spawn activity as lake temperatures are hovering around 80 degrees[4].

Best lures for the bass bite right now are swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits to mimic those shad the bass are chasing. Creature baits, senkos, flukes, and flipping jigs will get results when you’re working heavier cover. If you’re after a true trophy, you can’t beat a wild golden shiner for live bait—it’s the top choice for Lake O bass[4].

On the panfish side, small jigs and minnows under a float are working wonders for crappie. Target those outside grass lines early or go a bit deeper as the sun rises. As for bait, you can’t go wrong with live minnows for crappie and bluegill.

With water levels lower, the Clewiston west wall, Ritta Island, and Buckhead Ridge are standout areas right now. If you’re new to the lake or want to up your odds, a local guide is always a smart call—they know where the fish are staging and how to work around any navigation challenges.

Get out there and enjoy the best that Lake Okeechobee has to offer this time of year. Tight lines and see you on the water[1][4][5].

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

We're looking at another gorgeous morning out on Lake Okeechobee with temps starting in the low 70s and expected to climb into the mid-80s by afternoon. The sun rose at about 6:45 AM and you'll have good fishing light until sunset around 8:05 PM. Winds are staying nice and light today, making for perfect conditions all across the lake.

Water levels continue their steady decline, now sitting at 10.93 feet, down from 10.95 feet just yesterday. We're well below the typical May average, which has really concentrated the fish and created some exceptional fishing opportunities.

Let me tell you folks, the bass fishing remains absolutely on fire! We're consistently seeing 5-8 pounders daily, with some boats reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds were landed this past week. If you're after bass, focus on the outer edges of reed lines and isolated vegetation patches where they're holding tight with these lower water levels.

The crappie bite has been equally impressive. Many anglers are reporting 100-150 fish days with some beautiful specimens in the 12-14 inch range, weighing up to two pounds. These slabs are really putting up a fight!

For bass, I'm having great success with large plastic worms in junebug and red shad colors, slow-rolled spinnerbaits along drop-offs, and topwater frogs early morning near vegetation. For crappie, small minnows and jigs in chartreuse or white have been producing limits in no time.

Hot spots this week include the Harney Pond Canal area where the lower water has created some excellent channels, and the Kissimmee River mouth where bass are stacking up. The north end of the lake near Indian Prairie Canal has been producing some monster catches as well.

Local guides like Captain Bill and Mike have been putting clients on fish consistently, with many folks limiting out before noon. One fella caught the biggest bass of his life last week – a solid 7-pounder!

Remember, with these dropping water levels, be extra cautious about navigation. Some normally passable areas are getting skinny, so keep an eye on your depth finder.

That's your Lake O update for today, Sunday, May 25th. Get out there and wet a line – the fish are biting! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines, y'all!

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

We've got another gorgeous day ahead on Lake Okeechobee with temperatures starting in the low 70s this morning and climbing to the upper 80s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:41 AM and you'll have plenty of fishing light until sunset at 8:10 PM. Winds are staying nice and light today, making for excellent conditions across the lake.

Water levels continue their steady decline, now sitting just above 11 feet, which is lower than our typical May average. This has been a blessing in disguise, folks! The falling water has concentrated both bass and crappie into predictable areas, creating some absolutely stellar fishing opportunities.

Let me tell you, the bass fishing has been nothing short of spectacular lately! We're consistently seeing 5-8 pounders coming to the boat, with some guides reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds have been landed this past week, including one fella who caught a 7-pounder that was the biggest bass of his life!

The crappie bite has been absolutely on fire too! Many boats have been bringing in 100-150 fish days with some real slabs in the mix - we're talking 12-14 inch beauties weighing up to two pounds each. That's some serious table fare, y'all!

For bass fishing, try working the outside grass lines with large plastic worms, swim jigs, and lipless crankbaits. The fish are holding tight to structure as the water drops, so target isolated patches of vegetation, especially around deeper holes.

For you crappie enthusiasts, minnows under a float are still producing the best numbers, but don't sleep on small jigs in chartreuse, white, or pink if you're looking to avoid constantly rebaiting.

Hot spots this week include Harney Pond Canal, the Kissimmee River mouth, and the northwest side of the lake around Indian Prairie Canal. The areas around Observation Shoal have also been particularly productive as the fish congregate in the remaining deeper pockets.

Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen - it's getting hot out there fast, folks! And if you're hiring a guide, book with Captain Mike or Captain Bill - both have been putting clients on exceptional fish this past month.

That's all for today's report. Until next time, this is Artificial Lure reminding you that a bad day fishing still beats a good day working! Tight lines, y'all!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for May 23, 2025. We are sitting in the thick of prime fishing season and the action has been outstanding all around the Big O.

Today is starting with temperatures in the low 70s and it will warm up to the mid-80s by the afternoon. Winds are mellow and the weather is clear, making for perfect conditions to wet a line. Sunrise hit at 6:45 AM and sunset will be around 8:05 PM, so there is plenty of daylight to chase those trophies[4].

Water levels remain just above 11 feet, which is a bit below the usual for late May. These falling levels have pulled both bass and crappie into tighter, more predictable spots along the lake's outer grass lines and near structure[1][3][4]. Be careful navigating—stick to the outside grass lines where it's deeper, since rocks can tear up your lower unit if you aren't careful[5].

Bass fishing has been phenomenal. Boats are regularly reporting 50 to 100 fish days with lots of quality largemouth in the 5 to 8 pound range, and several trophy-sized bass—some over 8 pounds—caught just this week[4][5]. Most of the action is coming on soft plastics like Zoom Speed Worms, Senkos, and creature baits in watermelon red and junebug. For those who like to throw artificial, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits along the grass edges are also producing well, especially early and late in the day[4].

The crappie bite is still hot, too. Anglers are pulling in limits with some slabs reaching 12 to 14 inches and up to 2 pounds. Jigs tipped with minnows are the ticket, fished around the thicker vegetation and in the shallower pockets as the water continues to recede[2][4].

Live wild shiners are always a top choice for bigger bass, especially if you're after that trophy bite. But don’t overlook the action you’ll get working soft plastics through the holes in the grass mats or along the outside edges.

A couple current hot spots I recommend: try the outside grass lines near Harney Pond and the Monkey Box area, which have both been consistent for good numbers and bigger fish. The north shore around Tin House Cove is another steady producer, especially if you’re targeting crappie or working for bass early in the morning before the sun gets high[4][5].

All in all, today’s conditions are just about perfect for anglers looking to get in on the action. Stay safe, watch those shallows, and enjoy some of the best fishing Florida has to offer. Tight lines, and I’ll see you out on the water.

Hey folks! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for this fine Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025.

The big news on the Big O is that water levels are continuing to fall, which has been happening for several months now. We're sitting at about 12.5 feet above sea level, and this dropping water has created some incredible fishing opportunities as the bass and crappie are concentrating in specific areas.

The weather today is shaping up to be a typical late May day in South Florida - warm and a bit humid, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen if you're heading out. With the lower water levels, be extra careful navigating - stick to the outside grass lines where there's more water and fewer rock formations. I've seen too many lower units torn up by folks who don't know where they're running.

Bass fishing has been absolutely dynamite! Captains around the lake are reporting daily catches in the 50-100 fish range, with quality bass in the 5-8 pound class being common. The dropping water has really concentrated these fish, making them easier to target.

The crappie (or speck) fishing has been on fire too! Recent reports mention 100-150 fish days with some real slabs in the 12-14 inch range weighing up to two pounds. That's some serious filling for the freezer!

For baits, I'm hearing that wild shiners are still the go-to for trophy bass, but artificial lures (my namesake!) like swim jigs, speed worms, and flukes in white, chart, and junebug colors are working great too. For the crappie, small minnows or jigs tipped with minnows around the deeper vegetation edges are the ticket.

Hot spots this week include the outer edges of Observation Shoal, the Kissimmee River mouth, and the areas around Bird Island. The western side of the lake has been particularly productive as fish move to deeper water with the falling levels.

If you're new to the lake, remember that navigation can be tricky with the lower water. Consider hiring a guide like Captain Joe, Captain Angie Douthit, or Captain Mark Shepard to show you the ropes and put you on fish.

Remember folks, the declining water is actually good for the lake's health - it allows vegetation to grow, which improves water clarity and creates better habitat for our beloved gamefish.

Tight lines and good fishing to all of you heading out this week! This is Artificial Lure signing off from the Big O, where the bass are hungry and the living is easy.

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 19, 2025.

We're looking at another beautiful day on the Big O with temperatures expected to climb into the low 80s by afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:42 AM, and you'll have good fishing light until sunset at 8:07 PM. Winds are staying light today, making for perfect conditions across the lake.

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

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. If you're chasing that wall-hanger, now's the time to get out there!

The crappie bite 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.

For bass, I'm finding success working the outside grass lines with large plastic worms and topwater frogs early in the morning. As the day heats up, switch to deeper structure with crankbaits and jigs. For crappie, minnows and small jigs in the lily pad fields are producing limits.

Hot spots this week include the Kissimmee River mouth, where the water flow is concentrating baitfish, and the western shoreline from Clewiston up toward Observation Shoal. The rim canal has also been producing steady action for those looking to stay in protected water.

Word of caution - be careful running around if you don't know the lake. With water levels down, navigation can be tricky. Stay in the marked channels and watch for those rock formations that can tear up a lower unit quicker than you can say "fish on!"

That's all for today, folks. Remember, if you need a guide to show you the ropes, plenty of us locals are ready to put you on the fish. Tight lines and see you on the water!