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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: Water Levels, Weather, and What’s Biting!
Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, your guide to all things fishy on Lake Okeechobee! Let’s dive right into what’s happening on the Big O today.
Lake Okeechobee Water Levels – May 12, 2025
Alright, let’s talk water. As of May 11, 2025, Lake Okeechobee’s official elevation is 11.01 feet NGVD. Now, that’s a number, but what does it MEAN? Well, compared to last year (May 11, 2024), we’re down a good bit. Last year we were sitting pretty at 13.82 feet. That’s a difference of 2.81 feet! Two years ago, May 11, 2023, the lake was at 14.02 feet, which is 3.01 feet higher than today.
What does this mean for fishing? Lower water levels can concentrate the fish in certain areas, making them easier to target. But it can also make navigation a bit trickier, so keep an eye on your depth finder, especially in those shallower areas. The navigation depth on Route 1 is approximately 4.95 feet and Route 2 is approximately 3.15 feet.
Okeechobee Inflows and Outflows
Currently, the total inflows into the lake are 85 cfs (cubic feet per second). The S65E is contributing 84 cfs of that total. Total outflows are currently not reported due to missing S77 or S308 discharge data.
Weather Forecast for Lake Okeechobee
Now, let’s peek at what Mother Nature has in store for us this week. Remember folks, weather can change on a dime, so always be prepared!
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025: Expect moderate rain with a minimum temperature of 70°F (21.13°C) and a high of 90°F (32.3°C). Wind will be coming from the west (259 degrees) at 12.5 mph (5.58 m/s), with gusts up to 21 mph (9.34 m/s).
- Wednesday, May 14, 2025: The skies will clear up, with a low of 67°F (19.45°C) and a high of 87°F (30.4°C). Wind will be from the south-southeast (172 degrees) at 8.5 mph (3.8 m/s), gusting to 14.5 mph (6.47 m/s).
- Thursday, May 15, 2025: More clear skies! Temperatures ranging from 71°F (21.6°C) to 89°F (31.92°C). Wind from the south-southeast (160 degrees) at 7.9 mph (3.52 m/s), with gusts up to 17.2 mph (7.69 m/s).
- Friday, May 16, 2025: Another beautiful day with clear skies. Expect a low of 73°F (22.92°C) and a high of 92°F (33.15°C). Wind will be from the northwest (301 degrees) at a gentle 5.9 mph (2.62 m/s), gusting to 8.1 mph (3.63 m/s).
- Saturday, May 17, 2025: Still clear! Temperatures between 76°F (24.46°C) and 92°F (33.42°C). Wind from the south (181 degrees) at 10.1 mph (4.51 m/s), with gusts up to 21.7 mph (9.72 m/s).
- Sunday, May 18, 2025: Scattered clouds are expected with a low of 76°F (24.34°C) and a high of 93°F (33.8°C). Wind from the southeast (151 degrees) at 9.4 mph (4.2 m/s), gusting to 20.6 mph (9.22 m/s).
- Monday, May 19, 2025: Clear skies and warming up! Expect a low of 75°F (24.1°C) and a high of 97°F (36.43°C). Wind will be from the east-northeast (82 degrees) at 11.7 mph (5.25 m/s), with gusts up to 19.3 mph (8.65 m/s).
Fishing Forecast: What’s Biting on Okeechobee?
With the lower water levels and the weather we’re seeing, here’s what I reckon you can expect on the fishing front:
- Bass: The bass fishing should be pretty good. Focus on areas with submerged vegetation and structure. With the water levels down, they’ll be congregating in those spots. Topwater lures early in the morning and late in the evening could be dynamite. As the day heats up, switch to flipping jigs and worms around the thick stuff.
- Crappie (Speck): The speck fishing is still holding on. Look for them around bridge pilings and deeper channels. Minnows and jigs are your best bet.
- Bluegill/Shellcracker: With the warmer weather, the bream should be bedding up in the shallows. Crickets and worms under a cork are the ticket for some tasty panfish.
Captain Joe’s Pro Tip
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your presentation. Sometimes a subtle change in your retrieve or lure color can make all the difference. And always, ALWAYS, practice catch and release to help preserve our fishery for future generations.
Tight lines and happy fishing, y’all!
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