Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – 09.14.2025

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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – September 13, 2025 – OkeechobeeFishingReport.com


Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – September 13, 2025

Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, bringing you your daily dose of Lake Okeechobee fishing wisdom. Been fishin’ and huntin’ these parts for longer than I care to admit, and I’m here to tell you what’s what on the Big O.

Lake Level and Weather Update

The lake level is currently at 12.94 feet. That’s down from last year’s 14.83 feet and even further from the year before at 15.37 feet. We’re about 1.58 feet below the period of record average. Keep an eye on these levels, folks, as they directly impact where the fish are holdin’ up.

The weather forecast for today is clear skies with a light breeze. We’re looking at winds around 10 mph (4.54 m/s) coming from the east-northeast (28 degrees), with gusts up to 19 mph (8.59 m/s). Temperatures will be warm, with a high around 89°F (31.7°C) and a low around 77°F (25.26°C).

Fishing Outlook

With the lake level a bit lower than usual and clear skies overhead, here’s how I reckon the fishin’ will be:

Bass Fishing

The lower water levels might concentrate the bass around remaining vegetation and structure. Focus on areas with hydrilla, Kissimmee grass, and submerged logs. Topwater baits early in the morning could be productive, especially with those light winds. As the sun gets higher, switch to flipping jigs and worms around heavy cover. Look for bass to be holding in slightly deeper water near the edges of the vegetation.

Key Areas: Look to the North Shore around Harney Pond and Indian Prairie.

Top Baits: Topwater lures, Jigs, Worms

Crappie Fishing (Speckled Perch)

Crappie will likely be holding around deeper structures and submerged brush piles. Minnows and jigs are your best bet. With the clear skies, they might be a little more skittish, so try using lighter line. Focus on areas with submerged trees and deeper channels.

Key Areas: Look to the South end of the lake around Clewiston and Belle Glade.

Top Baits: Minnows, Jigs

Bluegill and Shellcracker

These panfish should be active around lily pads and shallow vegetation. Crickets and worms fished under a bobber are always a good choice. The clear weather should make it easier to spot their beds in the shallows.

Key Areas: Look to the West side of the lake around Okeechobee City.

Top Baits: Crickets, Worms

Official Lake Data

Here’s the official lake data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
                       Lake Okeechobee and Vicinity Report
                   ** Preliminary Data - Subject to Revision **
 
 
LOSOM24 Reg ZoneA =  17.01
LOSOM24 Reg ZoneBC =  16.61
LOSOM24 Reg ZoneD =  12.65
 
Data Ending 2400 hours   13 SEP 2025
_____________________________________________________________________________
 
Okeechobee Lake Regulation      Elevation   Last Year  2YRS Ago
                                (ft-NGVD)   (ft-NGVD)  (ft-NGVD)
  *Okeechobee Lake Elevation       12.94       14.83    15.37 (Official Elv)
 
  13SEP (1965-2007) Period of Record Average    14.52
  Difference from POR Average                  -1.58
 
  Today Lake Okeechobee elevation is determined from the 4 Int & 4 Edge stations
 
  ++Navigation Depth (Based on 2007 Channel Condition Survey) Route 1   6.88'
  ++Navigation Depth (Based on 2008 Channel Condition Survey) Route 2   5.08'
  Bridge Clearance = 49.53'
______________________________________________________________________________
 
4 Interior and 4 Edge Okeechobee Lake Average (Avg-Daily values):
 
  L001   L005   L006   LZ40   S4     S352   S308   S133
  12.95  13.02  13.05  12.96  13.18  13.07   12.85 12.84
 
 
 *Combination Okeechobee  Avg-Daily Lake Average =  12.94
                                                   (*See Note)
______________________________________________________________________________
 
Okeechobee Inflows (cfs):
  S65E           4663      S65EX1            0      Fisheating Cr  1133
  S154             17      S191            344      S135 Pumps        0
  S84             391      S133 Pumps        0      S2 Pumps          0
  S84X            157      S127 Pumps        0      S3 Pumps          0
  S71             217      S129 Pumps        0      S4 Pumps          0
  S72              37      S131 Pumps        0      C5                0
Total Inflows:   6960
 
Okeechobee Outflows (cfs):
  S135 Culverts   197      S354              0      S77               3
  S127 Culverts     0      S351              0      S308             -0
  S129 Culverts     0      S352              0
  S131 Culverts     0      L8 Canal Pt     -96
Total Outflows:    103
 
****S77 structure flow is being used to compute Total Outflow.
****S308 structure flow is being used to compute Total Outflow.
 
Okeechobee Pan Evaporation (inches):
  S77            0.22      S308           0.29
  Average Pan Evap x 0.75 Pan Coefficient =  0.19" =  0.02'
 
Lake Average Precipitation using NEXRAD: =  -NR-" =  -NR-'
 
Evaporation - Precipitation:             =  -NR-" =  -NR-'
Evaporation - Precipitation using Lake Area of 730 square miles
  is equal to   -NR-
Lake Okeechobee (Change in Storage) Flow is   7865 cfs or  15600 AC-FT
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
 
             Headwater Tailwater         ----------- Gate Positions ------------
             Elevation Elevation  Disch   #1   #2   #3   #4   #5   #6   #7   #8
             (ft-msl)  (ft-msl)   (cfs)  (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
                               (I) see note at bottom
North East Shore
  S133 Pumps:  13.42     12.65       0      0    0    0    0 -NR-  (cfs)
  S193:       ______
  S191:        18.70     12.66     344    0.5  0.0  0.5
  S135 Pumps:  13.57     12.68       0      0    0    0    0       (cfs)
  S135 Culverts:                   197    3.6  3.6
 
North West Shore
  S65E:        20.88     12.46    4663    1.7  2.4  1.7  1.7  1.7  1.7
  S65EX1:      20.88     12.46       0
  S127 Pumps:  13.36     12.67       0      0    0    0    0    0  (cfs)
  S127 Culvert:                      0    0.0
 
  S129 Pumps:  12.94     13.06       0      0    0    0            (cfs)
  S129 Culvert:                      0    0.0
 
  S131 Pumps:  13.10     13.23       0      0    0                 (cfs)
  S131 Culvert:                      0
 
  Fisheating Creek
    nr Palmdale          33.09    1133
    nr Lakeport         ______
  S282         13.23     13.27              0.0  0.0  0.1
 
South Shore
  S4 Pumps:    10.95     13.35       0      0    0    0            (cfs)
  S169:       ______      -NR-    -NR-   -NR- -NR- -NR-
  S310:       ______              -NR-
  S3 Pumps:    11.36     13.45       0      0    0    0            (cfs)
  S354:        13.45     11.36       0    0.0  0.0
  S2 Pumps:    11.25     13.49       0      0    0    0    0       (cfs)
  S351:        13.49     11.25       0    0.0  0.0  0.0
  S352:        13.19     10.01       0    0.0  0.0
  S271:        13.46     13.46            9.2   9.4   9.8   8.5
  L8 Canal PT            13.13     -96
 
  _________________________________________________________________________
                   S351 and S352 Temporary Pumps/S354 Spillway
 
  S351:        11.25     13.49       0  -NR--NR--NR--NR--NR--NR-
  S352:        10.01     13.19       0  -NR--NR--NR--NR-
  S354:        11.36     13.45       0  -NR--NR--NR--NR-
  _________________________________________________________________________
 
Caloosahatchee River (S77, S78, S79)
  S47B:        13.17     11.98            0.0  0.0
  S47D:        12.11     10.64       0    0.0
  S77:
    Spillway and Sector Preferred Flow:
               12.97     10.53       0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           3
 
  S78:
    Spillway and Sector Flow:
               10.55      2.86    1197    0.0  0.0  3.0  0.5
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           5
 
  S79:
    Spillway and Sector Flow:
                2.94      2.13    8513    0.0  4.0  5.0  5.0  5.0  5.0  5.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           2
    Percent of flow from S77         0%
    Chloride            (ppm)      0
 
 
St. Lucie Canal (S308, S80)
  S308:
    Spillway and Sector Preferred Flow:
               12.96     13.97       0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:          -0
 
  S153:        18.87     13.83     176    0.4  0.0
  S80:
    Spillway and Sector Flow:
               14.09      1.74       0    0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           5
    Percent of flow from S308   NA  %
 
  Steele Point Top Salinity    (mg/ml) ****
  Steele Point Bottom Salinity (mg/ml) ****
 
  Speedy Point Top Salinity    (mg/ml) ****
  Speedy Point Bottom Salinity (mg/ml) ****
 
 + Flow Due to lockages is computed utilizing average daily headwater and
   tailwater along with total number of lockages for the day to calculate
   a volume which is then converted to an average discharge in cfs.
++ Preferred flow is determined from either the spillway discharge or the below flow meter daily
______________________________________________________________________________
                                                               ----- Wind ----
Daily Precipitation Totals    1-Day       3-Day       7-Day    Direction Speed
                             (inches)    (inches)    (inches)   (Deg)   (mph)
  S133 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S193:                        -NR-        0.00        0.00     -NR-    -NR-
  Okeechobee Field Station:    -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S135 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S127 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S129 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S131 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S77:                        23.67       23.89       25.91       75    -NR-
  S78:                         -NR-        0.00        0.00        3    -NR-
  S79:                         -NR-        0.00        0.00       51       4
  S4 Pump Station:             -NR-        0.00        0.00
  Clewiston Field Station:     -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S3 Pump Station:             -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S2 Pump Station:             -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S308:                        -NR-        0.00        0.00      359       8
  S80:                         -NR-        0.00        0.00     -NR-    -NR-
        Okeechobee Average    23.67        1.84        1.99
        (Sites S78, S79 and S80 not included)
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  Oke Nexrad Basin Avg         -NR-        0.00        0.00
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
Okeechobee Lake Elevations  13 SEP 2025           12.94 Difference from 13SEP25
   13SEP25  -1 Day  =       12 SEP 2025           12.90            -0.04
   13SEP25  -2 Days =       11 SEP 2025           12.85            -0.09
   13SEP25  -3 Days =       10 SEP 2025           12.85            -0.09
   13SEP25  -4 Days =       09 SEP 2025           12.80            -0.14
   13SEP25  -5 Days =       08 SEP 2025           12.74            -0.20
   13SEP25  -6 Days =       07 SEP 2025           12.72            -0.22
   13SEP25  -7 Days =       06 SEP 2025           12.67            -0.27
   13SEP25 -30 Days =       14 AUG 2025           12.21            -0.73
   13SEP25  -1 Year =       13 SEP 2024           14.83             1.89
   13SEP25  -2 Year =       13 SEP 2023           15.37             2.43
______________________________________________________________________________
 
______________________________________________________________________________
                         Lake Okeechobee Net Inflow (LONIN)
                   Average Flow over the previous 14 days  |  Avg-Daily Flow
   13SEP25    Today =       13 SEP 2025      6160  SUN     |      7865
   13SEP25  -1 Day  =       12 SEP 2025      6873  SAT     |      9579
   13SEP25  -2 Days =       11 SEP 2025      6611  FRI     |        94
   13SEP25  -3 Days =       10 SEP 2025      7159  THU     |      9579
   13SEP25  -4 Days =       09 SEP 2025      6755  WED     |     11832
   13SEP25  -5 Days =       08 SEP 2025      6191  TUE     |      3933
   13SEP25  -6 Days =       07 SEP 2025      5780  MON     |      9680
   13SEP25  -7 Days =       06 SEP 2025      5653  SUN     |      9579
   13SEP25  -8 Days =       05 SEP 2025      5539  SAT     |      3832
   13SEP25  -9 Days =       04 SEP 2025      5446  FRI     |      9854
   13SEP25 -10 Days =       03 SEP 2025      5208  THU     |      8009
   13SEP25 -11 Days =       02 SEP 2025      4933  WED     |     -1813
   13SEP25 -12 Days =       01 SEP 2025      4678  TUE     |     -1822
   13SEP25 -13 Days =       31 AUG 2025      4685  MON     |      6035
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
                                 S65E
                       Average Flow over previous 14 days  |  Avg-Daily Flow
   13SEP25     Today=       13 SEP 2025      4213  SUN     |      5025
   13SEP25  -1 Day  =       12 SEP 2025      4056  SAT     |      5087
   13SEP25  -2 Days =       11 SEP 2025      3900  FRI     |      5282
   13SEP25  -3 Days =       10 SEP 2025      3728  THU     |      5031
   13SEP25  -4 Days =       09 SEP 2025      3588  WED     |      4994
   13SEP25  -5 Days =       08 SEP 2025      3435  TUE     |      4784
   13SEP25  -6 Days =       07 SEP 2025      3295  MON     |      4621
   13SEP25  -7 Days =       06 SEP 2025      3163  SUN     |      4253
   13SEP25  -8 Days =       05 SEP 2025      3054  SAT     |      4104
   13SEP25  -9 Days =       04 SEP 2025      2949  FRI     |      3761
   13SEP25 -10 Days =       03 SEP 2025      2852  THU     |      3229
   13SEP25 -11 Days =       02 SEP 2025      2781  WED     |      3006
   13SEP25 -12 Days =       01 SEP 2025      2719  TUE     |      2929
   13SEP25 -13 Days =       31 AUG 2025      2643  MON     |      2873
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
                                 S65EX1
                       Average Flow over previous 14 days  |  Avg-Daily Flow
   13SEP25     Today=       13 SEP 2025         0   SUN     |         0
   13SEP25  -1 Day  =       12 SEP 2025         0   SAT     |         0
   13SEP25  -2 Days =       11 SEP 2025         0   FRI     |         0
   13SEP25  -3 Days =       10 SEP 2025         0   THU     |         0
   13SEP25  -4 Days =       09 SEP 2025         0   WED     |         0
   13SEP25  -5 Days =       08 SEP 2025         0   TUE     |         0
   13SEP25  -6 Days =       07 SEP 2025         0   MON     |         0
   13SEP25  -7 Days =       06 SEP 2025         0   SUN     |         0
   13SEP25  -8 Days =       05 SEP 2025         0   SAT     |         0
   13SEP25  -9 Days =       04 SEP 2025         0   FRI     |         0
   13SEP25 -10 Days =       03 SEP 2025         0   THU     |         0
   13SEP25 -11 Days =       02 SEP 2025         0   WED     |         0
   13SEP25 -12 Days =       01 SEP 2025         0   TUE     |         0
   13SEP25 -13 Days =       31 AUG 2025         0   MON     |         0
______________________________________________________________________________
Lake Okeechobee Outlets Last 14 Days
 
             S-77    Below S-77    S-78        S-79
           Discharge  Discharge  Discharge  Discharge
           (ALL DAY)  (ALL-DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)
   DATE     (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)
13 SEP 2025      5        315        2380      16794
12 SEP 2025      3        408        3108      15817
11 SEP 2025      0        510        4700      16226
10 SEP 2025      1        212        1824       8340
09 SEP 2025      1        423        1742       4824
08 SEP 2025      3         81        1022       3608
07 SEP 2025      1        136        1196       5798
06 SEP 2025      2        205        1218       4114
05 SEP 2025      2         50        1008       3112
04 SEP 2025      1        188         996       3637
03 SEP 2025      3         49         991       3866
02 SEP 2025      0         81        1206       3823
01 SEP 2025      3        154        1704       6269
31 AUG 2025      3        646        2135       7279
 
             S-310      S-351      S-352      S-354    L8 Canal Pt
           Discharge  Discharge  Discharge  Discharge  Discharge
           (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)
   DATE     (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)
13 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
12 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
11 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
10 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
09 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
08 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
07 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
06 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
05 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
04 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
03 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
02 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
01 SEP 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
31 AUG 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
 
             S-308    Below S-308    S-80
           Discharge   Discharge   Discharge
           (ALL DAY)   (ALL-DAY)   (ALL-DAY)
   DATE     (AC-FT)     (AC-FT)     (AC-FT)
13 SEP 2025     -1          71          10
12 SEP 2025     -2         133          10
11 SEP 2025   -NR-         174          24
10 SEP 2025   -NR-         -60          25
09 SEP 2025   -NR-      -25165          22
08 SEP 2025     -6          97          11
07 SEP 2025     -2          17          26
06 SEP 2025     -2           3           7
05 SEP 2025     -3         114          25
04 SEP 2025     -2         117          17
03 SEP 2025     -3         119          11
02 SEP 2025     -1          59          11
01 SEP 2025     -5         -89          48
31 AUG 2025     -3         -40          23
 
***  NOTE:     Discharge (ALL DAY) is computed using Spillway, Sector Gate and
               Lockages Discharges from 0015 hrs to 2400 hrs.
______________________________________________________________________________
 
(I) - Flows preceeded by "I" signify an instantaneous
      flow computed from the single value reported for the day
______________________________________________________________________________
   * On 11 May 1999, Lake Okeechobee Elevation was switched from
     Instantaneous 2400 value to an average-daily lake average.
     On 14 Mar 2001, due to the isolation of various gages within the standard
     10 stations, the average of the interior 4 station gages was used
     as the Lake Okeechobee Elevation.
     On 05 November 2010,  Lake Okeechobee Elevation was switched to a 9 gage
     mix of interior and edge gages to obtain a more reliable representation
     of the lake level.
     On 09 May 2011,  Lake Okeechobee Elevation was switched to a 8 gage
     mix of interior and edge gages to obtain a more reliable representation
     of the lake level due to isolation of S135 from low lake levels.
     Today Lake Okechobee elevation is determined from the 4 Int & 4 Edge stations
  ++ For more information see the Jacksonville District Navigation website
     at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/
   $ For information regarding Lake Okeechobee Service Area water restrictions
     please refer to www.sfwmd.gov
______________________________________________________________________________
Report Generated 14SEP2025 @ 08:38  ** Preliminary Data - Subject to Revision **

That’s all for today, folks. Remember to check back on Monday for the full weekly fishing report. Tight lines and happy fishin’!

– Captain Joe



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