Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: July 24, 2025 - Captain Joe

Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, bringing you your daily Lake Okeechobee fishing report. Been fishin' these waters for longer than I care to admit, and I'm here to tell you what's bitin' and what ain't.

Lake Okeechobee Water Levels and Conditions

As of today, July 24, 2025, Lake Okeechobee's water level is at 12.01 feet NGVD. That's down a bit from yesterday (11.99 feet), and significantly lower than last year (13.56 feet) and two years ago (14.98 feet). We're also sitting a good 1.68 feet below the historical average for this time of year.  Navigation depths are Route 1: 5.95' and Route 2: 4.15'.

Here's a quick look at the lake levels at various points:

    
L001: 12.08 ft
    
L005: 12.09 ft
    
L006: 12.05 ft
    
LZ40: 11.96 ft
    
S352: 12.04 ft
    
S308: 11.86 ft
    
S133: 12.01 ft


Weather Impact on Fishing

The forecast for today is calling for light rain (0.37 inches) and winds around 12 mph (gusts up to 20 mph) from the East-Southeast. The high for today is expected to be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a low around 79 degrees.  

How This Impacts Your Fishing Trip

Bass Fishing
With the lake level being lower than usual, bass are likely to be concentrated in areas with remaining vegetation and deeper pockets. The light rain and wind could make for a decent topwater bite early in the morning. Focus on areas with hydrilla, reeds, and Kissimmee grass. Use weedless lures and slow-rolling spinnerbaits to entice those bigger bass out of the cover. The inflows from S65E (1229 cfs) and Fisheating Creek (1537 cfs) may bring in some active fish.

Crappie Fishing
Crappie will be holding tight to structure in the deeper parts of the lake. With the wind, drifting with jigs and minnows around submerged brush piles and bridge pilings could be productive. Look for areas where the water is slightly clearer. 

Catfish Fishing
Catfish will be active with the rain and inflows. Focus on areas near the mouths of canals and creeks, using stink baits, cut bait, or live bait on the bottom. The wind might make it a bit challenging to hold your position, so consider using a heavier weight.

Inflows and Outflows

Here's a quick look at the inflows and outflows:

    
Total Inflows: 5686 cfs
    
Total Outflows: -58 cfs


Key inflows include S65E (1229 cfs) and Fisheating Creek (1537 cfs). Outflows are minimal, with S308 at -33 cfs and L8 Canal Pt at -26 cfs.

Captain Joe's Tip of the Day

Don't be afraid to experiment with your presentation. The fish can be finicky, so try different retrieves and lure colors until you find what they're biting on. And always, always practice catch and release to help preserve our fishery for future generations.

Tight lines and safe fishin', y'all!

- Captain Joe