This is Artificial Lure bringing you the latest fishing report for Lake Okeechobee and her winding creeks, Saturday, August 23, 2025. Out here, the sun’s about to peek up at 6:57 a.m., and you can expect it to set around 7:51 p.m. The weather’s classic August—hot and sticky, with early patches of sun, a light southeast wind, and a good chance of some afternoon thunderstorms rolling through. Mornings are calmest, so best take advantage before the humidity climbs. AccuWeather warns to keep an eye on pop-up storms spilling off the lake edges, but early hours are safest for getting your line wet.

Tides don’t affect the Big O like saltwater does, but know the lake’s levels are stable—thanks to an active rainy season, the water’s sitting right up in the grass lines and inside reed heads. Fish move shallow when it’s calm, so get on the water at first light or chase the dusk bite before sundown.

The bass bite is still blazing hot—no surprise there this August. According to Captain Justin Jones, the largemouth action "is about as hot as the weather!" and he’s not the only one saying limits have been coming easy in the early hours, with several chunky fish in the 3-to-5-pound range and a couple local sticks reporting a six-plus landed over in the Shoal earlier this week. There’s been steady action from Belle Glade up through Grassy Island, and the Shoal's grass mats are still giving up nice numbers every morning—those west shorelines are holding heat, but also fish.

Crappie are picking up, too, especially back in Fisheating Creek and along shaded, slow-moving cuts. You’ll see plenty of bluegill mixed in, perfect for folks bringing the kids or just wanting to fill a stringer in the shallows.

Bait and lure selection is prime this time of year. Top baits for Okeechobee bass: soft plastics in watermelon and junebug, Senko worms, and especially swimbaits rigged weedless if you’re tossing into thick hydrilla. Frogs—especially in white or black—for that classic topwater action through pads at sunrise. Jerkbaits like the Megabass Vision Oneten, as featured by Bassmaster Pros on the tour, are a solid choice for more open water and edge fishing. Don’t forget classic wild shiners—local guides swear big bass still can’t resist a lively live bait fished close to cover.

Recent reports say panfish are hammering live crickets and red worms. For bluegill and crappie, add a small spinner or a beetle spin. Keep things moving just above the grass for best results.

Now, a quick health note: WQCS reminds everyone there’s been an advisory for blue-green algae in patches around the lake recently. They report fish fillets from Okeechobee are safe to eat if you rinse, gut, and cook ‘em proper—just don’t mess with the shellfish or eat raw fish for now.

As for hot spots:
- Grassy Island to Bay Bottom is still the ticket for steady largemouth and good crappie.
- The Shoal—right where the Kissimmee River meets thick grass—has been holding steady quality fish, especially at dawn.
- Fisheating Creek is perfect for kayak anglers or anyone craving a mess of tasty panfish and some peace and quiet.

The fish are snapping and the only thing left is to get out there and enjoy this Florida classic. That’s today’s report from Artificial Lure—thanks as always for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe for your next report and the best local angling tips straight from the dock.

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