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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – July 19, 2025 – Captain Joe

Howdy folks, Captain Joe here with your daily fishing update for Lake Okeechobee. Let’s dive right into what’s happening on the Big O today.

Lake Level and Water Conditions

As of today, July 19, 2025, Lake Okeechobee’s elevation is at 11.91 feet NGVD. That’s down a bit from yesterday (11.88 feet) and significantly lower than last year (13.56 feet) and two years ago (14.95 feet). We’re also sitting about 1.73 feet below the historical average for this time of year. The lower water level is concentrating the fish in certain areas, which can be a good thing if you know where to look.

Navigation depths are Route 1 at 5.85′ and Route 2 at 4.05′. Be mindful of these depths when navigating the lake.

Weather Impact on Fishing

The weather forecast for today is calling for light rain. The wind is blowing from the east-southeast (around 102 degrees) at about 11 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph. Temperatures will be warm, with a high around 92°F and a low around 77°F.

This weather pattern can influence fishing in the following ways:

* **Bass:** The light rain and wind can create some surface disturbance, which can help camouflage your presentation. Focus on areas with submerged vegetation and near any inflows. The bass will be looking for ambush points.
* **Crappie:** Crappie tend to move deeper during the day, especially with the warmer temperatures. Try fishing around submerged structures and deeper channels.
* **Bluegill:** Bluegill will be active in the shallower areas, especially around lily pads and reeds. Use crickets or worms under a bobber for best results.
* **Catfish:** Catfish will be scavenging the bottom. Use stink baits or cut bait in deeper holes and channels.

Fishing Tips for Today

* **Bass:** With the lake level down, target areas where the Kissimmee River channel enters the lake. Also, try flipping jigs around thick vegetation.
* **Crappie:** Minnows and jigs are your best bet. Focus on deeper water near structure.
* **Bluegill:** Early morning and late afternoon are prime times. Look for them in the shallows near vegetation.
* **Catfish:** Fish the deeper channels with cut bait or stink bait. Night fishing can be particularly productive.

Water Flow Information

Total Inflows: 4520 cfs

Total Outflows: -134 cfs

Tight lines and happy fishing!

Captain Joe

OkeechobeeFishingReport.com

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