Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – February 1, 2025

Well folks, Captain Joe here, back with your daily dose of Lake Okeechobee fishing intel. The lake is sittin’ purty at 14.41 feet above sea level today. That’s a good bit lower than this time last year (16.29 feet) and the year before (16.02 feet). With the water levels down, we’re gonna see some changes in the fishin’ patterns.

Weather Forecast and How it Impacts the Fish

The weatherman’s callin’ for partly cloudy skies today with a high of 71 degrees Fahrenheit and a light breeze out of the west at 5-10 miles per hour. Those partly cloudy skies will make for some good sight fishin’ conditions, especially early in the mornin’. The light wind is gonna make it easy to fish those artificial baits, so keep your favorite topwater plugs and swim jigs handy.

Bass Fishin’

With the lower water levels, those bass are gonna be concentratin’ in the remaining deeper water. Look for ’em around the edges of the grass lines and near any drop-offs or channels. Slow-rollin’ a big ol’ worm or crawdad imitation along the bottom is gonna be a good bet. And don’t forget about flippin’ and pitchin’ those creature baits into any heavy cover you can find.

Crappie (Speck) Fishin’

Crappie are gonna be hangin’ out near structure, just like always. Look for ’em around brush piles, submerged trees, and dock pilings. Small jigs tipped with minnows or those little curly-tailed grubs are gonna be your best bet for temptin’ these tasty fellas.

Bluegill and Shellcracker Fishin’

Bluegill and shellcracker love ’em some shallow water, but with the lake levels down, they’re gonna be movin’ out to deeper areas. Look for ’em on the edges of the grass beds and near any drop-offs. Small crickets, worms, or beetle spins are gonna be the ticket to fillin’ up your cooler.

That’s the latest from Lake Okeechobee, folks. Remember to check back on Monday for my full weekly fishing report. Until then, tight lines and good fishin’!