Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – January 5, 2025

Well folks, the lake level is a-changin’ and that means the fishin’ is gonna be different this week. The Army Corps of Engineers says Lake Okeechobee is at 14.99 feet above sea level. That’s down a bit from last year when it was 15.95 feet and way down from two years ago when she was sittin’ pretty at 16.35 feet.

With the lake level lower than last year and the year before, the bass are gonna be movin’ on up shallow lookin’ for those comfy, weedy spots. That means you’ll want to be usin’ those topwater lures and shallow-running crankbaits.

Now, the weatherman is sayin’ we’re gonna have some scattered clouds today with a high of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s about 25 degrees Celsius for you youngsters). A bit of a breeze too, around 8 miles per hour (that’s about 4 meters per second). Those scattered clouds will make it a might bit harder for the bass to see your lures, so you might want to use something with a little flash or vibration to get their attention.

Don’t forget about the crappie! They love hangin’ out around structure, so look for brush piles and submerged trees. A jig or a minnow under a bobber will do the trick.

So there you have it, folks. Get out there on the lake and enjoy some fine Florida fishin’! And remember, always be respectful of the lake and the creatures that call it home. Tight lines!

– Captain Joe