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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: Water Levels Down, But Don’t Let That Sink Your Boat! (June 22, 2025)

Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: Water Levels Down, But Don’t Let That Sink Your Boat! (June 22, 2025)

Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, comin’ at ya from the banks of the Big O! Let’s dive right into what’s happenin’ on Lake Okeechobee. We’ve got some data to chew on, and I’ll tell ya how it’s gonna affect your fishin’ trip.

Lake Okeechobee Water Levels: A Little Low, But Still Fishable!

As of June 22, 2025, the official Lake Okeechobee elevation is 10.99 feet NGVD. Now, that’s a bit lower than we’d like to see it, especially when you compare it to previous years. Last year, on the same day, the lake was at 13.37 feet NGVD. And the year before that? A whopping 14.33 feet NGVD! Heck, even the historical average for this time of year (1965-2007) is 13.24 feet. That means we’re sittin’ about 2.25 feet below average.

What does this mean for you, the angler? Well, lower water levels can concentrate the fish, makin’ ’em easier to find… sometimes. It also means you gotta be extra careful navigatin’ those shallower areas. Don’t go tearin’ up your prop out there! The navigation depth for Route 1 is approximately 4.93 feet and Route 2 is approximately 3.13 feet.

Inflows and Outflows: Where’s the Water Goin’?

Let’s take a peek at what’s comin’ in and goin’ out of the lake. Inflows are lookin’ kinda slim, with a total of 215 cfs (cubic feet per second). Most of that’s comin’ from the S65E structure (212 cfs). Outflows, on the other hand, are significantly higher at 609 cfs. The S352 (465 cfs) and S351 (228 cfs) structures are doin’ most of the heavy liftin’ there. Looks like we’re losin’ more water than we’re gainin’, which explains the lower lake level.

Weather Forecast: Prepare for Rain and Warmth!

Alright, let’s talk about the weather, ’cause that’s a big factor in how the fish are gonna bite. Here’s what the forecast looks like for the next week (remember, these are converted from metric, so they’re good ol’ American units now!):

June 23, 2025: Light rain, High of 85°F, Low of 76°F, Wind from the East at 16.6 mph, Gusts up to 18.8 mph.
June 24, 2025: Light rain, High of 92°F, Low of 75°F, Wind from the East at 15.6 mph, Gusts up to 16.1 mph.
June 25, 2025: Broken Clouds, High of 92°F, Low of 75°F, Wind from the East at 14.3 mph, Gusts up to 21.2 mph.
June 26, 2025: Moderate Rain, High of 93°F, Low of 74°F, Wind from the East at 9.0 mph, Gusts up to 15.0 mph.
June 27, 2025: Light Rain, High of 92°F, Low of 73°F, Wind from the South-Southwest at 19.1 mph, Gusts up to 28.9 mph.
June 28, 2025: Light Rain, High of 91°F, Low of 75°F, Wind from the East-Southeast at 9.2 mph, Gusts up to 13.5 mph.
June 29, 2025: Broken Clouds, High of 93°F, Low of 76°F, Wind from the East at 12.3 mph, Gusts up to 18.6 mph.
June 30, 2025: Light Rain, High of 92°F, Low of 76°F, Wind from the East at 14.2 mph, Gusts up to 17.1 mph.

Looks like we’re in for a week of warm temperatures and scattered showers. Keep an eye on those wind gusts, especially on June 27th – that could make for some choppy conditions!

How This Impacts Your Fishing Trip:

Bass Fishing: With the lower water levels, focus on areas with submerged vegetation and structure. The bass will be lookin’ for cover. Topwater baits early and late in the day can be deadly. During the day, try flippin’ jigs or throwin’ a Texas-rigged worm. The light rain could trigger some good feeding activity, so don’t be afraid to get out there even if it’s drizzlin’.
Crappie Fishing: Crappie will likely be holding around deeper structure and brush piles. Use your electronics to locate ’em and drop a minnow or jig down. The broken cloud cover on some days could make for some good sight fishin’ opportunities.
Other Species: Don’t forget about those bluegill and catfish! They’ll be active in the warmer water. Use live bait or crickets for bluegill, and stink bait or cut bait for catfish.

Captain Joe’s Words of Wisdom:

Alright folks, that’s the scoop from Lake Okeechobee. Remember to always practice safe boating, wear your life jacket, and have fun out there! Even with the lower water levels, there’s still plenty of fish to be caught. Just adjust your tactics and be prepared for the conditions. And hey, if you see me out there, give me a wave! Tight lines and happy fishin’!

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