Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – 07.29.2025

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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: July 28, 2025 – Captain Joe’s Daily Update


Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: July 28, 2025 – Captain Joe’s Daily Update

Howdy folks, Captain Joe here, bringing you your daily dose of what’s happening on Lake Okeechobee. Been fishin’ and huntin’ these parts for longer than I care to admit, and I’m here to share what I’m seeing.

Lake Okeechobee Water Levels & Weather

Let’s get right to it. Here’s the latest lake level data:

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
                       Lake Okeechobee and Vicinity Report
                   ** Preliminary Data - Subject to Revision **
 
 
LOSOM24 Reg ZoneA =  16.78
LOSOM24 Reg ZoneBC =  16.38
LOSOM24 Reg ZoneD =  11.68
 
Data Ending 2400 hours   28 JUL 2025
_____________________________________________________________________________
 
Okeechobee Lake Regulation      Elevation   Last Year  2YRS Ago
                                (ft-NGVD)   (ft-NGVD)  (ft-NGVD)
  *Okeechobee Lake Elevation       12.06       13.52    15.03 (Official Elv)
 
  28JUL (1965-2007) Period of Record Average    13.73
  Difference from POR Average                  -1.67
 
  Today Lake Okeechobee elevation is determined from the 4 Int & 4 Edge stations
 
  ++Navigation Depth (Based on 2007 Channel Condition Survey) Route 1   6.00'
  ++Navigation Depth (Based on 2008 Channel Condition Survey) Route 2   4.20'
  Bridge Clearance = 49.46'
______________________________________________________________________________
 
4 Interior and 4 Edge Okeechobee Lake Average (Avg-Daily values):
 
  L001   L005   L006   LZ40   S4     S352   S308   S133
  12.12  12.11  12.09  12.02   -NR-  12.11   11.96 12.04
 
 
 *Combination Okeechobee  Avg-Daily Lake Average =  12.06
                                                   (*See Note)
______________________________________________________________________________
 
Okeechobee Inflows (cfs):
  S65E           1092      S65EX1            0      Fisheating Cr  1644
  S154              0      S191            137      S135 Pumps        0
  S84             265      S133 Pumps        0      S2 Pumps          0
  S84X            109      S127 Pumps        0      S3 Pumps          0
  S71             149      S129 Pumps        0      S4 Pumps          0
  S72              92      S131 Pumps        0      C5                0
Total Inflows:   3488
 
Okeechobee Outflows (cfs):
  S135 Culverts    46      S354              0      S77               0
  S127 Culverts     0      S351              0      S308             -2
  S129 Culverts     0      S352              2
  S131 Culverts     0      L8 Canal Pt      34
Total Outflows:     80
 
****S77 structure flow is being used to compute Total Outflow.
****S308 structure flow is being used to compute Total Outflow.
 
Okeechobee Pan Evaporation (inches):
  S77            0.37      S308           0.35
  Average Pan Evap x 0.75 Pan Coefficient =  0.27" =  0.02'
 
Lake Average Precipitation using NEXRAD: =  -NR-" =  -NR-'
 
Evaporation - Precipitation:             =  -NR-" =  -NR-'
Evaporation - Precipitation using Lake Area of 730 square miles
  is equal to   -NR-
Lake Okeechobee (Change in Storage) Flow is   3933 cfs or   7800 AC-FT
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
 
             Headwater Tailwater         ----------- Gate Positions ------------
             Elevation Elevation  Disch   #1   #2   #3   #4   #5   #6   #7   #8
             (ft-msl)  (ft-msl)   (cfs)  (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
                               (I) see note at bottom
North East Shore
  S133 Pumps:  13.48     12.20       0      0    0    0    0 -NR-  (cfs)
  S193:       ______
  S191:        18.86     12.17     137    0.0  0.0  0.0
  S135 Pumps:  13.73     12.02       0      0    0    0    0       (cfs)
  S135 Culverts:                    46    0.0  0.0
 
North West Shore
  S65E:        21.06     12.14    1092    0.5  0.4  0.6  0.2  0.5  0.5
  S65EX1:      21.06     12.14       0
  S127 Pumps:  13.41     12.12       0      0    0    0    0    0  (cfs)
  S127 Culvert:                      0    0.0
 
  S129 Pumps:  13.23     12.45       0      0    0    0            (cfs)
  S129 Culvert:                      0    0.0
 
  S131 Pumps:  13.24     13.79       0      0    0    0                 (cfs)
  S131 Culvert:                      0
 
  Fisheating Creek
    nr Palmdale          33.40    1644
    nr Lakeport         ______
  S282         12.07     12.25              0.0  0.0  0.1
 
South Shore
  S4 Pumps:    10.84     12.11       0      0    0    0            (cfs)
  S169:       ______      -NR-    -NR-   -NR- -NR- -NR-
  S310:       ______              -NR-
  S3 Pumps:    10.58     11.94       0      0    0    0            (cfs)
  S354:        11.94     10.58       0    0.0  0.0
  S2 Pumps:    10.32     12.02       0      0    0    0    0       (cfs)
  S351:        12.02     10.32       0    0.0  0.0  0.0
  S352:        12.04     10.02       2    0.0  0.1
  S271:        12.80     12.28            9.3   9.5   9.8   8.5
  L8 Canal PT            12.02      34
 
  _________________________________________________________________________
                   S351 and S352 Temporary Pumps/S354 Spillway
 
  S351:        10.32     12.02       0  -NR--NR--NR--NR--NR--NR-
  S352:        10.02     12.04       2  -NR--NR--NR--NR-
  S354:        10.58     11.94       0  -NR--NR--NR--NR-
  _________________________________________________________________________
 
Caloosahatchee River (S77, S78, S79)
  S47B:        11.97     11.41            1.2  0.0
  S47D:        11.46     11.44      84    6.0
  S77:
    Spillway and Sector Preferred Flow:
               11.97     11.35       0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           0
 
  S78:
    Spillway and Sector Flow:
               11.39      3.06     151    0.5  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           1
 
  S79:
    Spillway and Sector Flow:
                3.25      1.40    1594    0.0  0.0  1.0  1.5  2.0  1.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:           1
    Percent of flow from S77         0%
    Chloride            (ppm)      0
 
 
St. Lucie Canal (S308, S80)
  S308:
    Spillway and Sector Preferred Flow:
               11.96     14.04       0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:          -2
 
  S153:        18.93     13.83      18    0.0  0.5
  S80:
    Spillway and Sector Flow:
               14.10      0.98       0    0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0  0.0
    Flow Due to Lockages+:          15
    Percent of flow from S308   NA  %
 
  Steele Point Top Salinity    (mg/ml) ****
  Steele Point Bottom Salinity (mg/ml) ****
 
  Speedy Point Top Salinity    (mg/ml) ****
  Speedy Point Bottom Salinity (mg/ml) ****
 
 + Flow Due to lockages is computed utilizing average daily headwater and
   tailwater along with total number of lockages for the day to calculate
   a volume which is then converted to an average discharge in cfs.
++ Preferred flow is determined from either the spillway discharge or the below flow meter daily
______________________________________________________________________________
                                                               ----- Wind ----
Daily Precipitation Totals    1-Day       3-Day       7-Day    Direction Speed
                             (inches)    (inches)    (inches)   (Deg)   (mph)
  S133 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S193:                        -NR-        0.00        0.00     -NR-    -NR-
  Okeechobee Field Station:    -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S135 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S127 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S129 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S131 Pump Station:           -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S77:                        10.28       10.28       10.86      199    -NR-
  S78:                         -NR-        0.00        0.00        3    -NR-
  S79:                         -NR-        0.00        0.00      124       1
  S4 Pump Station:             -NR-        0.00        0.00
  Clewiston Field Station:     -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S3 Pump Station:             -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S2 Pump Station:             -NR-        0.00        0.00
  S308:                        -NR-        0.00        0.00      142       4
  S80:                         -NR-        0.00        0.00     -NR-    -NR-
        Okeechobee Average    10.28        0.79        0.84
        (Sites S78, S79 and S80 not included)
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
  Oke Nexrad Basin Avg         -NR-        0.00        0.00
  -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
Okeechobee Lake Elevations  28 JUL 2025           12.06 Difference from 28JUL25
   28JUL25  -1 Day  =       27 JUL 2025           12.04            -0.02
   28JUL25  -2 Days =       26 JUL 2025           12.03            -0.03
   28JUL25  -3 Days =       25 JUL 2025           12.04            -0.02
   28JUL25  -4 Days =       24 JUL 2025           12.01            -0.05
   28JUL25  -5 Days =       23 JUL 2025           11.99            -0.07
   28JUL25  -6 Days =       22 JUL 2025           11.96            -0.10
   28JUL25  -7 Days =       21 JUL 2025           11.93            -0.13
   28JUL25 -30 Days =       28 JUN 2025           10.98            -1.08
   28JUL25  -1 Year =       28 JUL 2024           13.52             1.46
   28JUL25  -2 Year =       28 JUL 2023           15.03             2.97
______________________________________________________________________________
 
______________________________________________________________________________
                         Lake Okeechobee Net Inflow (LONIN)
                   Average Flow over the previous 14 days  |  Avg-Daily Flow
   28JUL25    Today =       28 JUL 2025      5098  TUE     |      3968
   28JUL25  -1 Day  =       27 JUL 2025      6604  MON     |      2000
   28JUL25  -2 Days =       26 JUL 2025      6724  SUN     |     -1933
   28JUL25  -3 Days =       25 JUL 2025      7390  SAT     |      5913
   28JUL25  -4 Days =       24 JUL 2025      7513  FRI     |      3781
   28JUL25  -5 Days =       23 JUL 2025      7350  THU     |      5468
   28JUL25  -6 Days =       22 JUL 2025      7348  WED     |      5498
   28JUL25  -7 Days =       21 JUL 2025      6742  TUE     |      1886
   28JUL25  -8 Days =       20 JUL 2025      6435  MON     |      1861
   28JUL25  -9 Days =       19 JUL 2025      6582  SUN     |      5359
   28JUL25 -10 Days =       18 JUL 2025      6888  SAT     |      5305
   28JUL25 -11 Days =       17 JUL 2025      7034  FRI     |      7058
   28JUL25 -12 Days =       16 JUL 2025      7635  THU     |      9025
   28JUL25 -13 Days =       15 JUL 2025      7639  WED     |     16184
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
                                 S65E
                       Average Flow over previous 14 days  |  Avg-Daily Flow
   28JUL25     Today=       28 JUL 2025      1323  TUE     |      1266
   28JUL25  -1 Day  =       27 JUL 2025      1318  MON     |      1321
   28JUL25  -2 Days =       26 JUL 2025      1309  SUN     |      1318
   28JUL25  -3 Days =       25 JUL 2025      1289  SAT     |      1375
   28JUL25  -4 Days =       24 JUL 2025      1272  FRI     |      1413
   28JUL25  -5 Days =       23 JUL 2025      1238  THU     |      1536
   28JUL25  -6 Days =       22 JUL 2025      1192  WED     |      1373
   28JUL25  -7 Days =       21 JUL 2025      1153  TUE     |      1380
   28JUL25  -8 Days =       20 JUL 2025      1110  MON     |      1235
   28JUL25  -9 Days =       19 JUL 2025      1071  SUN     |      1252
   28JUL25 -10 Days =       18 JUL 2025      1024  SAT     |      1262
   28JUL25 -11 Days =       17 JUL 2025       978  FRI     |      1250
   28JUL25 -12 Days =       16 JUL 2025       920  THU     |      1221
   28JUL25 -13 Days =       15 JUL 2025       868  WED     |      1316
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
                                 S65EX1
                       Average Flow over previous 14 days  |  Avg-Daily Flow
   28JUL25     Today=       28 JUL 2025         0   TUE     |         0
   28JUL25  -1 Day  =       27 JUL 2025         0   MON     |         0
   28JUL25  -2 Days =       26 JUL 2025         0   SUN     |         0
   28JUL25  -3 Days =       25 JUL 2025         0   SAT     |         0
   28JUL25  -4 Days =       24 JUL 2025         0   FRI     |         0
   28JUL25  -5 Days =       23 JUL 2025         0   THU     |         0
   28JUL25  -6 Days =       22 JUL 2025         0   WED     |         0
   28JUL25  -7 Days =       21 JUL 2025         0   TUE     |         0
   28JUL25  -8 Days =       20 JUL 2025         0   MON     |         0
   28JUL25  -9 Days =       19 JUL 2025         0   SUN     |         0
   28JUL25 -10 Days =       18 JUL 2025         0   SAT     |         0
   28JUL25 -11 Days =       17 JUL 2025         0   FRI     |         0
   28JUL25 -12 Days =       16 JUL 2025         0   THU     |         0
   28JUL25 -13 Days =       15 JUL 2025         0   WED     |         0
______________________________________________________________________________
Lake Okeechobee Outlets Last 14 Days
 
             S-77    Below S-77    S-78        S-79
           Discharge  Discharge  Discharge  Discharge
           (ALL DAY)  (ALL-DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)
   DATE     (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)
28 JUL 2025      0         35         301       3146
27 JUL 2025      1        286         192       3376
26 JUL 2025      2        409         200       2739
25 JUL 2025      2        305         667       3104
24 JUL 2025      1        644         642       4670
23 JUL 2025      1        606         809       2915
22 JUL 2025      1        500        1279       2944
21 JUL 2025      0        456        1294       4298
20 JUL 2025      1        518        1558       4872
19 JUL 2025      1        526        1554       4251
18 JUL 2025      2         74        2368       6532
17 JUL 2025      0        319        2123       5906
16 JUL 2025      1        230        2818       6881
15 JUL 2025      0        145        2942       8110
 
             S-310      S-351      S-352      S-354    L8 Canal Pt
           Discharge  Discharge  Discharge  Discharge  Discharge
           (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)  (ALL DAY)
   DATE     (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)    (AC-FT)
28 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         3           0       -NR-
27 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
26 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
25 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
24 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
23 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
22 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
21 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
20 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
19 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
18 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
17 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
16 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
15 JUL 2025   -NR-          0         0           0       -NR-
 
             S-308    Below S-308    S-80
           Discharge   Discharge   Discharge
           (ALL DAY)   (ALL-DAY)   (ALL-DAY)
   DATE     (AC-FT)     (AC-FT)     (AC-FT)
28 JUL 2025     -4          61          31
27 JUL 2025     -5          68          27
26 JUL 2025  -1562        -269          27
25 JUL 2025     -7         234          27
24 JUL 2025   -894         -72          19
23 JUL 2025  -1338        -522          31
22 JUL 2025     -4         -66          52
21 JUL 2025  -1035        -332          16
20 JUL 2025   -855        -206        -NR-
19 JUL 2025  -1106        -295          12
18 JUL 2025  -2991        -549          16
17 JUL 2025  -1083        -227          34
16 JUL 2025  -4006       -1213          34
15 JUL 2025  -4355       -1305          23
 
***  NOTE:     Discharge (ALL DAY) is computed using Spillway, Sector Gate and
               Lockages Discharges from 0015 hrs to 2400 hrs.
______________________________________________________________________________
 
(I) - Flows preceeded by "I" signify an instantaneous
      flow computed from the single value reported for the day
______________________________________________________________________________
   * On 11 May 1999, Lake Okeechobee Elevation was switched from
     Instantaneous 2400 value to an average-daily lake average.
     On 14 Mar 2001, due to the isolation of various gages within the standard
     10 stations, the average of the interior 4 station gages was used
     as the Lake Okeechobee Elevation.
     On 05 November 2010,  Lake Okeechobee Elevation was switched to a 9 gage
     mix of interior and edge gages to obtain a more reliable representation
     of the lake level.
     On 09 May 2011,  Lake Okeechobee Elevation was switched to a 8 gage
     mix of interior and edge gages to obtain a more reliable representation
     of the lake level due to isolation of S135 from low lake levels.
     Today Lake Okechobee elevation is determined from the 4 Int & 4 Edge stations
  ++ For more information see the Jacksonville District Navigation website
     at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/
   $ For information regarding Lake Okeechobee Service Area water restrictions
     please refer to www.sfwmd.gov
______________________________________________________________________________
Report Generated 29JUL2025 @ 09:07  ** Preliminary Data - Subject to Revision **

As of today, July 28, 2025, Lake Okeechobee’s elevation is at 12.06 feet. That’s down from last year’s 13.52 feet and significantly lower than two years ago at 15.03 feet. We’re also sitting about 1.67 feet below the historical average for this time of year. The lake level has dropped slightly over the past week.

The weather forecast calls for clear skies with a light breeze from the southeast (around 9 mph, gusting to 16.6 mph). Temperatures will be hot, with daytime highs around 94°F and nighttime lows around 81°F.

Fishing Forecast: How It’s Shaping Up

With the lake levels continuing to drop and the summer heat in full swing, here’s how I see the fishing shaping up for the next few days:

Bass Fishing on Lake Okeechobee

The lower water levels are concentrating the bass in the deeper grass lines and around any available structure. Focus your efforts on areas with hydrilla, Kissimmee grass, and lily pads. Topwater lures early in the morning and late in the evening could produce some strikes. As the day heats up, switch to flipping jigs and worms in the thickest cover. Live shiners are always a good bet, especially when the bite gets tough. Remember to fish deeper during the day to find those Okeechobee giants!

  • Top Lures: Topwater frogs, swimbaits, flipping jigs, Texas-rigged worms, live shiners.
  • Key Areas: Harney Pond, South Bay, and the Kissimmee River.

Crappie Fishing on Lake Okeechobee

Crappie fishing will be best early and late in the day. Look for them around submerged brush piles and bridge pilings. Minnows and small jigs are your best bet. With the clear skies, the crappie will likely be holding a bit deeper to avoid the sunlight. Try trolling slowly through these areas to locate schools of crappie.

  • Top Baits: Live minnows, small jigs (white, chartreuse).
  • Hotspots: Okeechobee’s bridges, deeper channels, and submerged structure.

Catfish Fishing on Lake Okeechobee

Catfishing should be good, especially at night. Use live or cut bait near the bottom in the deeper parts of the lake. The inflows from Fisheating Creek are always a good place to start. The hotter weather usually gets the catfish moving at night, so be prepared for some action after dark.

  • Best Baits: Cut shad, nightcrawlers, stink baits.
  • Prime Locations: Deeper holes, channels, and areas near creek mouths.

Final Cast

Overall, the fishing on Lake Okeechobee is still holding steady, but you’ll need to adjust your tactics to account for the lower water levels and hot weather. Get out there early, stay hydrated, and be prepared to work for your catch. Tight lines, y’all!

– Captain Joe

P.S. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for another update. And remember to always practice catch and release to help keep our lake healthy for generations to come!



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