Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – May 6, 2025
Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, back with your daily Lake Okeechobee fishing update. The lake’s been seein’ some changes lately, and today’s report’s gonna dive into how those changes are affectin’ our fishin’ out here.
Current Lake Conditions and Weather
As of May 5th, 2025, Lake Okeechobee’s sittin’ at 11.09 feet above sea level. That’s a good bit lower than last year’s 14.06 feet and the 14.19 feet we saw two years back on this date. We’re also below the historical average for this time of year. The Corps is movin’ water out through the S77 and S308 structures, with outflows exceedin’ inflows. We’re seein’ some rain in the forecast for later today, with heavy intensity rain predicted and temperatures expected to reach a high of 86°F (30°C) with a low of 72°F (22°C). The wind will be blowin’ from the east-southeast at around 20 mph (9 m/s).
Fishing Impact
With the lake level lower than usual, fishin’ patterns are shiftin’. Here’s how it’s lookin’ for our favorite targets:
Largemouth Bass
The lower water concentrates the bass in remaining vegetation and along the edges of the drop-offs. Focus your efforts on areas with thicker cover, using topwater frogs, swim jigs, and flipping/pitching creature baits. The wind’s gonna make things a bit tricky, so adjust your weight accordingly to stay in contact with the bottom.
Crappie
Crappie are bunchin’ up around deeper brush piles and submerged structure. Use live minnows or small jigs tipped with minnows to target these areas. The wind might push you around a bit, so use a drift sock or anchor to maintain your position.
Speckled Perch (Black Crappie)
Similar to crappie, speckled perch are seekin’ deeper water and cover. Target them with the same techniques as crappie, focusing on areas with submerged vegetation or brush piles. The wind’s gonna be a factor, so be prepared to adjust your tactics.
Overall Outlook
While the lower water levels present some challenges, there’s still plenty of fishin’ to be had on Lake Okeechobee. Adapt your techniques to the conditions, and you’ll be sure to find some success. Remember to check back on Monday for my full weekly fishing report, where I’ll dive deeper into the latest patterns and hotspots.
Tight lines, y’all!
Captain Joe
