Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for March 31, 2025. Let me tell ya, the fishing's been hotter than a Florida summer lately!
First off, we don't worry about tides here on the Big O, but water levels are sitting pretty at about 12.83 feet. The weather's been a bit unpredictable, with winds gusting up to 30 mph some days, but today we're looking at partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid-70s. Sunrise was at 7:12 AM, and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:38 PM.
Now, let's talk fish! The bass bite has been on fire, folks. We've been seeing lots of 4-8 pounders, with some lucky anglers even landing a few over 10 pounds. The crappie fishing has been equally impressive, with reports of 100-150 fish days and some slabs up to 2 pounds.
For you bass hunters, the fish are in all stages of the spawn right now. We're finding some still on beds, others guarding fry, and some moving to post-spawn areas. The outside grass lines have been producing, but don't overlook those backwater areas either.
As for lures, swimjigs and bladed jigs have been absolutely crushing it. Throw 'em in bluegill or shad patterns for best results. Soft plastic worms like the Zoom Trick Worm in junebug or red bug have been money too. And don't forget about those good ol' wild shiners if you're looking to land a real whopper.
For you crappie enthusiasts, minnows suspended at various depths have been the ticket, but don't shy away from throwing some jigs to cover more water.
Now, if you're looking for some hot spots, the Monkey Box on the west side has been producing some nice bags. The Harney Pond area's also been on fire, especially if you're after those specks. And don't overlook the Kissimmee River - that's where the big boys have been hiding lately.
Remember, the lake's fishing big right now with the lower water levels, so be careful out there and watch for those navigational hazards. But don't let that scare ya off - the fishing's too good to miss!
That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and see y'all on the water!