Lake Okeechobee
SHALLOW WATER WARNING
Please be mindful of navigational hazards and use caution in shallow areas of the lake. FWC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have created a map displaying rock hazards in the southwestern region of the lake. You can find the map linked here. As lake levels continue to recede, shallow water marsh areas will become more difficult to access.
Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Okeechobee, and Hendry counties
Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest lake and the second largest body of fresh water in the contiguous United States. The word Okeechobee comes from the Seminole Indian language "Oki" (water) and "Chubi" (big) and means "big water." These early Floridians chose the name well. Vast surface area (730 square miles), shallowness (averaging only nine feet deep) and enormous habitat diversity makes the ecosystem unique on the North American continent. The lake is a multiple-use resource, which supports valuable commercial and sport fisheries, provides flood control, and acts as a reservoir for potable and irrigation water for much of south Florida.
Lake Okeechobee is located on the south-central portion of the Florida peninsula at latitudes 27o 12'N to 26o 40'N and longitudes 81o 07'W to 80o 37'W. Major natural tributaries to the lake are Fisheating Creek, Taylor Creek and the Kissimmee River. Sheet outflow occurred historically across the entire southern rim into the Everglades. Prior to the 1900's, water quality was characterized as clear and alkaline, and bottom sediments were described as "clean sand." Levee and canal construction during the first half of the century confined the lake to a smaller area, eliminated overflow along the south shore, and facilitated back-pumping of excess water from the Everglades agricultural area into the lake. During the past 30 years, rising nutrient levels and periodic increases in the lake stage regulatory schedules have decreased habitat quality and pushed the system nearer a hyper-eutrophic and ecologically undesirable state.
Primary sources of lake water include rainfall (30%) and major tributaries, canals and runoff (70%). Evaporation accounts for 70% of water loss, with the remainder exiting through engineered outflows. High water levels are maintained from October through March (dry season), while low water levels are maintained from June through August. Shallow depth, long fetch and moderate winds combine to preclude thermal stratification. Regular mixing by wind and wave action ensures dissolved oxygen levels adequate for biological processes throughout the water column. Water temperatures average between 59o F (14o C) in January to 86o F (30o C) in August.
Lake Okeechobee is nationally recognized as supporting high quality largemouth bass and black crappie fisheries. The lake also supports a commercial fishery dominated by catfish species. However, the commercial fishery is also nationally unique in that a limited entry fishery (ten nets) exists for haul seine gear which is permitted to legally harvest and sell bluegill and redear sunfish. Freshwater fishing retail sales in the five counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee were estimated at more than $117 million during 2000. Biologically, Lake Okeechobee can successively support recreational and commercial fishery interests. Fishery management concerns on Lake Okeechobee not only require allocating available fishery resources between recreational and commercial interests, but must also be concerned with resolution of socio-political issues that result from user conflicts.
Aquatic plant communities benefit fish by providing spawning habitat, serving as refuge areas from the environment and predators, and support an intricate food web by providing nutrients for invertebrates and herbivorous fishes, which serve as forage. Despite ecological advantages provided by aquatic plants to fishes and wildlife on Lake Okeechobee, controversy over management of vegetation continues among federal and state agencies with regulatory authority for aquatic plant management, water quality and supply, flood control, and fish and wildlife management.
Changes in water level and differences in plant community structural complexity and water quality within vegetation communities exert the greatest effect on fish distribution in the littoral zone of Lake Okeechobee. Historically, bulrush has yielded the highest average numbers for total fish and game fish in block net sampling conducted on Lake Okeechobee. Importance of bulrush as habitat for adult game fishes has long been recognized by fisheries biologists, and bulrush is frequently planted during lake restoration and habitat enhancement projects.
Submersed vegetation types provide important habitat for forage fish, such as minnows shiners, and small bream. A positive relationship between hydrilla and production of juvenile game fish and forage fish has been documented by fisheries biologists. Dominant fish species abundance estimates for hydrilla, eelgrass, and Illinois pondweed (peppergrass) were similar, which indicates equivalent habitat value for these vegetation types.
The hurricanes on Lake Okeechobee during 2004 (particularly Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne) caused brief high water level surges to over 18 feet and, together with high winds, had a devastating effect on many plant communities. From the constant beating of high wind and waves, thousands of acres of plants such as bulrush, peppergrass, eelgrass and hydrilla were uprooted or broken off. Plants near the bottom or in protected areas were subjected to die-off from little or no sunlight reaching them as a result of highly turbid water over a long period of time.
The drought starting in 2006 that struck much of the state of Florida, lowered the lake level to an all-time record of 8.82 ft. msl (July 2007). Periods of drought have occurred on Lake Okeechobee about every ten years. The drought actually helped by allowing most of the emergent vegetation that was lost to be replaced by new plants. After Tropical Storm Fay (August 2008), when water levels rose quickly (luckily not too fast to damage new vegetation), thousands of acres of new bulrush, spikerush and other desirable emergent plants covered old established areas as well as many new areas where vegetation had not been in recent memory. Submerged vegetation such as peppergrass, eelgrass and hydrilla also returned. With the return of vegetation, many aquatic insect populations also increased, providing a food source for bait fish (such as minnows and shad). With this renewed food source and resurgence in vegetative habitat, many fish have had large spawns since Tropical Storm Fay, causing fisherman to see an increase of many game species. Future years should continue to see an increase in size and numbers of fish populations provided the habitat and food base also continues to improve.
The special bass regulation on lake Okeechobee has been replaced by the new streamlined statewide bass regulation: For largemouth bass only one may be 16 inches or longer in total length per angler per day, with no minimum length limit. The bag limit remains the same, at five. For more information check our Largemouth Bass Regulation Rack Card.
Black crappie (Speck) under 10 inches must be released. The bag limit is 25.
Local fishing contacts include:
Fast Break Bait & Tackle 863-763-0973, 1-866-213-2474, 863-824-3474
Garrard's Bait and Tackle 800-600-3474 (FISH), 863-763-3416
For Crappie, Bluegill, and Shellcracker fishing contact: Marshall Shockley at 863-763-0466
Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters 863-763-2248
Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina 1-800-473-6766
A Lake Okeechobee brochure and website are available courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District. Real-time water level data from the USGS gauge at Buckhead Lock and from the SFWMD are also available.
As of March 11th, 2026, the water level in Lake Okeechobee stands at 12.22 feet NGVD. The dry season is persisting, and water levels are expected to continue declining over the coming months. Please be mindful of navigational hazards and use caution in shallow areas of the lake. FWC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have created a map displaying rock hazards in the southwestern region of the lake. You can find the map linked here. As lake levels continue to recede, shallow water marsh areas will become more difficult to access. Check the outer edges of vegetation for fish as they begin to leave the marsh.
Several passing cold fronts in February caused a noticeable decline in bass fishing effort. As the water warms up to spring temperatures, fishing should be fantastic during April and May. Bass will continue to spawn until the water temperatures reach around 80 degrees, so take advantage of the weather while you can. While lake levels are low, search the shoreline for active bedding bass. Although the lake is often too murky for sight fishing, low water conditions have made it possible in the shallow marsh, where the water is often clear to the bottom. Take hold of this rare opportunity to see where the lunkers are hiding. Fishing at Observation Shoal and Cochran’s Pass has been excellent this year. When fishing along the edges of shoreline vegetation, try targeting bass with swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits. Stick to colors and movement that mimic shad. Several anglers are also doing well with frog baits, senkos, and flipping jigs in areas of heavier vegetation cover. If you’re looking to use live bait, golden shiners are the top choice for catching bass. If it’s your first time fishing on Lake Okeechobee, hiring a guide is highly recommended.
If you catch a bass weighing eight pounds or more, don’t forget to register with TrophyCatch! Register your Okeechobee trophy bass so you can say “My trophy swims in Florida,” and earn gift cards and other prizes.
While fishing, you may come across bass with a yellow tag near the dorsal fin. If you catch a tagged bass, please cut off the tag and call the phone number listed on the tag (863-261-3870) to document your catch and claim the $100 reward. These tagging studies provide data to monitor the bass population in Lake Okeechobee.
Black Crappie (speck) fishing has been excellent for anglers this winter and should remain productive into spring. Most anglers have been able to fulfill their bag limit without issue. The inflow of the Kissimmee River is always a productive crappie fishing spot if you’re looking for reliability. Some anglers are also catching limits in Indian Prairie Canal and Harney Pond Canal. The best times to catch speck are in the early morning and late at night. Jigging is going to be the best option when it comes to catching crappie because it allows you to cover a large area. The key is to keep moving until you locate a school. Sonar can also be a helpful tool for pinpointing target areas. Focus efforts near the in-lake vegetation stands, which provide fish with good coverage for spawning and foraging. This will make for the perfect fishing spot. If you haven’t crappie fished on Lake Okeechobee before, plenty of local guides are available to help you catch your limit!
Bluegill and Redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing was slow in the winter, but conditions are expected to improve in spring. Redear typically begin spawning in late March to early April, with Bluegill following shortly behind in mid-April. With the low water conditions, bream fishing should be fantastic this summer. Live worms are going to be your best option for catching shellcrackers. Beetle-spins, red worms, crickets, and grass shrimp are the preferred baits for catching Bluegill.
Following the February cold fronts, several species of non-native fishes died due to the extreme cold weather. Tilapia, Clownknife, Plecos, and Mayan Cichlids were the most common fishes spotted during fish kills observed around Lake Okeechobee. Native species such as bass and crappie were largely unaffected by the freeze, as they are more tolerant of colder water.
Mayan Cichlids (Red Devils) are found throughout the lake, especially in canals and shallow water. As a non-native species, they have no bag or size limit. Anglers can keep as many as they can catch. They are strong fighters, making them a fun catch. These fish can be easily targeted with live worms, crickets, or even small artificial baits. Bank fishing for Mayans in Indian Prairie and Harney Pond Canal has proven most successful.
Popular Species
Fish graphics by Duane Raver, Jr.
More species information is available for:
Florida/Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Black crappie
TrophyCatch Tracker
TrophyCatch is FWC's citizen-science program that rewards anglers for documenting and releasing trophy bass 8 pounds or larger. The following TrophyCatch bass have been submitted from Lake Okeechobee:
Lunker Club (8 – 9.9 pounds): 494
Trophy Club (10 - 12.9 pounds): 70