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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – June 24, 2025 – Captain Joe

Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, bringing you your daily dose of what’s happening on Lake Okeechobee. Been fishin’ these waters for longer than I care to admit, and I’m here to tell you what to expect out there today.

Lake Okeechobee Water Levels and Conditions

The latest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data shows the lake level at 10.97 feet NGVD. That’s significantly lower than last year (13.40 feet) and two years ago (14.44 feet) at this time. We’re also sitting about 2.30 feet below the historical average for this time of year. The lake level has dropped slightly over the last few days, down 0.02 feet from yesterday.

Navigation depths are Route 1 at approximately 4.91 feet and Route 2 at 3.11 feet, so be mindful of your boat’s draft, especially in those shallower areas. Always be careful when boating on Lake Okeechobee.

Weather Impact on Fishing Today

The weather forecast for today is clear skies with a light breeze. The wind is coming from the East at around 14.4 miles per hour, with gusts up to 19 miles per hour. Temperatures will be warm, with highs around 88°F during the day and lows around 78°F at night. With it being summer, expect those afternoon thunderstorms to pop up.

How This Affects Your Fishing Trip

Bass Fishing

With the lake levels being lower than usual, bass are likely to be concentrated in areas with remaining vegetation and deeper pockets. Focus on areas around Kissimmee grass, lily pads, and submerged structure. The clear skies and warm temperatures will likely push the bass deeper during the day, so try using heavier weights to get your lures down to them. Topwater baits early in the morning and late in the evening could still produce some strikes. Look for areas with moving water, even slight currents can concentrate the fish.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie will be holding tight to structure as well. With the clear skies, they’ll likely be deeper during the day. Try fishing jigs and minnows around bridge pilings, submerged trees, and deeper brush piles. Early morning and late evening will be your best bet for finding them closer to the surface. With the lake level down, some of the usual crappie spots might be a little harder to reach, so plan accordingly.

Catfish Fishing

Catfish are always a good bet on Okeechobee. With the warm weather, they’ll be active. Try fishing with live bait, cut bait, or stink baits near the bottom in deeper channels and around submerged structure. Night fishing will likely be the most productive. The inflows from S65E and Fisheating Creek could be good spots to target, as they bring in fresh water and attract baitfish.

Inflows and Outflows

Total inflows to the lake are at 263 cfs, with the majority coming from S65E (237 cfs) and Fisheating Creek (26 cfs). Total outflows are at 461 cfs, with S352 (380 cfs) and S351 (127 cfs) being the primary outlets. Keep an eye on these flows, as they can influence where the fish are holding.

That’s all for today’s report. Remember to stay safe out there, wear your life jacket, and tight lines!

– Captain Joe

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