Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Lake Okeechobee (A Guide)
Lake Okeechobee is one of the most popular lakes for trophy bass fishing. Knowing the best times to fish this premier lake can make a big difference in your catch rates and success.
The best time to fish Lake Okeechobee is November through June for the best combination of great fishing and reduced crowds. Fish this lake early in the morning and from 2 hours before sunset until dusk.
| Fish Species | Best Times to Fish Lake Okeechobee |
| Largemouth Bass | Year-round availability; November through June are the optimal months. |
| Crappie | Year-round availability; Winter & Spring are the best fishing months. |
| Catfish | Year-round availability; Spring & Fall are the best fishing months. |
| Bluegill | Year-round availability; May through October is the best fishing time. |
The season to fish Lake Okeechobee starts in November and lasts until June. The best time to go fishing depends on the angler’s preferences.
If you are interested in catching a trophy fish, then fish the lake between January and April. The chances to catch a big fish are high during the cooler months. Fishing is also very productive from April to June.
The vast majority of anglers choose to target largemouth bass in the waters of Lake Okeechobee. Additionally, fishermen can catch such species as bluegill, catfish, pickerel, sunfish, and others.
It would be better to go fishing in the early morning and later afternoons when largemouth bass are the most active.
Seasonal Guide: Lake Okeechobee
Winter
Florida is known for its warm climate. During the winter months, the air temperatures in the region range from 50°F(10°C) to 77°F (25°C) and water temperature in Lake Okeechobee ranges from 12°C to 24 °C.
Winter fishing on Lake Okeechobee is excellent year-round. Winter is a great time to target largemouth bass.
During the winter months, anglers get excellent results and have a good chance to catch trophy fish. Fishing is the most productive in January and February. So, anglers should plan their trips for these months.
The best hours to fish Lake Okeechobee in winter are 2 p.m. and sunset. The water heats up in the afternoon and fish become more active. The weather is not rainy and storms usually don’t occur in the region in winter.
Largemouth bass goes to the deep waters in the lake during the winter months. Baits like worms and crawfish work very well for bass in winter.
Spring
During the spring months, the average air temperature in Florida is 70°F (21°C). The average temperature of water in Lake Okeechobee in spring is 75.2°F (23°C).
Fishing on Lake Okeechobee is very productive during the spring months. The bass spawning season comes to an end in the early spring. After that, fish start feeding actively.
So, it’s a great time to enjoy fishing on the lake. Anglers, who give a preference to bass fishing, usually get the most successful results in April and May.
Fishing Lake Okeechobee in the spring is best in the early morning and in the evening. Spring is typically less impacted by rain.
A lot of bass can be found in the southwest corner of the lake in the springtime. Baits of brown, red, and white colors work well for bass in Lake Okeechobee during the springtime.
Summer
The air temperatures range from 95 °F (35 °C) to 103 °F (39 °C) in summer. The average temperature of water in Lake Okeechobee in summer is 84°F (29 °C).
Oftentimes, it’s too hot in the region during the summer months. Summer is a great time of the year to fish for largemouth bass as well as bluegill.
However, it’s not always easy to succeed in summer Lake Okeechobee fishing. Anglers need to know where to find fish in the lake and what baits work well for the fish species they are targeting.
Storms often occur in the region in summer. Storms last no longer than 1 – 2 hours. Such storms will not have a huge negative impact on fishing.
However, fishing during storms should be avoided for safety reasons. So, check the weather forecast carefully when planning Lake Okeechobee fishing adventures.
In summer, anglers should aim to search for bass in schools or near structures. Use soft plastic worms and creature baits to catch largemouth bass during the summer. Slow-moving baits get more bites.
Fall
The air temperatures range from 62°F (16 °C) to 90 °F (32 °C) in the fall. The average water temperature in Lake Okeechobee in fall is 80 °F (26 °C).
Fishing on Lake Okeechobee is still good in the fall. It’s getting cooler in the area in November and bass is becoming more active.
Anglers, who prefer to target largemouth bass, get the best results in the late fall. It’s possible to fish for bass throughout the day during the fall months.
Fall fishing on Lake Okeechobee is better from the afternoon until dusk. Heavy rains and strong storms are common in Florida in September. So, you should always check weather forecasts when planning your Lake Okeechobee fishing adventures.
Fall is a great time of the year to target schooling bass. It makes sense to use topwater baits, soft plastics, and jigs to fish for bass on the lake in the fall.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Lake Okeechobee
These charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters & Guides | Location |
| Fish With a Pro – Lake Okeechobee | South Bay, FL |
| Bass Whisper Guide Lake Okeechobee | South Bay, FL |
| Bass Flats & Beyond – Okeechobee | Belle Glade, FL |
| Okeechobee Guide Service | South Bay, FL |
| Mike Morse Fishing – Okeechobee | Okeechobee, FL |
| RLE Big Fish Adventures – Lake Okeechobee | Okeechobee, FL |
| Bass Flats & Beyond – Clewiston | Clewiston, FL |
| Fishing Guide Capt Tom – Bass | Okeechobee, FL |
Monthly Breakdown: Lake Okeechobee
January
Bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee is good in January. Bass is becoming active and getting ready for the spawning season.
Book a full-day charter to explore Lake Okeechobee and get a great fishing experience. The chances to catch bass are high on the west side of the lake.
February
February Lake Okeechobee fishing is excellent. Bass spawning season is getting closer. Males are searching for females to spawn. Oftentimes, anglers catch big bass in February.
Bass can be found in the shallows during this time of the year. Oftentimes, bass bite well in the afternoon.
March
March is one of the best months to fish for bass on Lake Okeechobee. March means the beginning of the bass spawning season. Go fishing for bass during the evening hours.
The water warms up and fish begins to feed actively. A lot of bass can be found near the J&S Fish Camp, the Henry Creek area, and the Lock 7 pier. Anglers choose to use artificial baits as well as grass shrimps and worms to fish for bass.
April
Largemouth bass fishing is much better in April. The bass spawning season continues and fishing is getting better. Oftentimes, anglers catch big largemouth during this time of the year.
Fishermen should target bass near fallen trees and docks. Bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee is more productive in the evening.
May
May means the beginning of the warmer months and, therefore, better fishing opportunities. Lake Okeechobee bass fishing in May is amazing. Sun heats up the water and increases the activity of fish. Now, it’s time to search for schools of bass.
Anglers should go bass fishing in the morning and the afternoon. Fishermen use artificial baits as well as topwater baits to catch bass in May.
June
The weather is getting warmer in June in summer. Anglers can catch largemouth bass of big sizes this month. The spawn season is coming to an end and bass starts schooling up in groups. Morning bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee is getting more productive.
The quality of fishing in June depends on water levels. Better conditions for summer bass fishing are created if water goes down. Artificial lures and active baits work well during the month of June.
July
July is the time of the year when fishermen can catch the vast majority of fish species on the lake. Bass groups in larger schools during the summer months.
Anglers, who target bass, get a lot of bites in the early morning. However, rainstorms can make fishing more challenging in July. It’s a great idea to use artificial baits on Lake Okeechobee.
August
August also has a good potential for anglers, who are targeting largemouth bass on the Lake Okeechobee. Bass fishing on the lake is very productive during the early morning hours.
Water levels rise and the bass goes to the backwaters. Bass can be found in the areas with flats around the grass. Such baits as frogs, hard topwater baits, swim baits, and swim jigs work well in August.
September
The chances to land a trophy largemouth bass and experience breathtaking moments are high during September fishing trips on Lake Okeechobee. Anglers can find a school of big fish.
The early morning is the best time of day to fish on the lake in September. When fishing for bass on the lake in the early fall, anglers give a preference to artificial baits.
October
It’s still possible to enjoy bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee in October. The so-called weedy cover areas attract bass in the fall. It makes a lot of sense to fish for bass in such places as Indian Prairie, Horse Island, and Tin House Cove. Bass fishing is more productive during the new moon phase.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy light tackle fishing. Go fishing in the middle of a day. Artificial baits, as well as live baits, work well for bass.
November
November is not the best time to catch bass on Lake Okeechobee. Water cools down, but fishing opportunities are still very good. Fishermen can see the signs of schooling this month.
Bass can be found near the grass areas at this time of year. Bass fishing is productive during the evening hours. It’s recommended to use artificial baits, live baits as well as topwater baits for bass fishing in November.
December
The temperatures are cooler and the bass goes to deeper waters in December. Nevertheless, anglers have great fishing trips this month. It’s time to target schooling bass.
The best time to fish Lake Okeechobee is between 2 p.m. and until sunset. Blade baits, as well as spinnerbaits, are very effective in December.
Lake Okeechobee Species Breakdown
Largemouth Bass
For many anglers Lake Okeechobee is associated with bass fishing. Largemouth bass is the primary target fish in the lake.
Bass fishing is the most productive in such spots as Belle Glade, Grassy Island, and Torry Island. Waters in these areas are calm, so anglers find it comfortable to fish.
Anglers can catch largemouth bass in Lake Okeechobee all year round. If you want to catch a trophy fish, plan your trip for February. Largemouth bass are the most active in the morning. So, anglers get a lot of bites between dawn and sunset.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch Florida bass, please check out this helpful guide.
Crappie
Another fish that you can catch when fishing on Lake Okeechobee is crappie. Crappie is often found in calm waters with no current and plenty of vegetation.
Anglers can target crappie in Lake Okeechobee year-round, but fishing is the most productive during the winter months. Crappie bites well in the early morning and evening.
Bluegill
Catching bluegill on Lake Okeechobee is exciting. The season to fish bluegill starts in the spring and lasts till the early fall. Bluegills bite well between the afternoon and the late evening.
Catfish
Oftentimes, fishermen catch catfish during their trips on Lake Okeechobee. Catfish is the most active between late March and early May. Catfish fishing is the best during the evening hours.
Sunfish
Fishermen can also catch sunfish when fishing on Lake Okeechobee. Fish becomes active during the spring and summer months. Sunfish bite best in the early morning and late evening but can be caught all day long.
Is Night Fishing Any Good at Lake Okeechobee?
Night fishing at Lake Okeechobee is very good. That means that a nighttime fishing trip can be very productive. Largemouth bass is active at night. At night, largemouth bass can be found in shallow waters and in deep waters near shore.
Charters & Fishing Guides: Lake Okeechobee
– Best season to book
Lake Okeechobee fishing season starts in December and lasts until April. A lot of anglers choose to book a fishing trip between January and April.
The demand for fishing is high on weekends. That’s why booking a charter can be hard. Book a fishing trip on weekdays if you have such an opportunity.
– Time of day to book trip
Fish actively feed during the morning hours. So, anglers get good results in the morning. Also, it’s not hot to fish. However, you have to wake up early to enjoy fishing.
You don’t need to wake up early if you choose to go fishing in the middle of a day. However, fishing is less productive. Plus, it’s not comfortable to fish at this time of the day during the hot summer months.
The afternoon is a good time to fish Lake Okeechobee during the cooler months. However, water heats up during the hot summer months and fish may not bite well.
Full-day fishing trips allow anglers to spend on the water and give a better chance to catch a trophy fish. On the other hand, full-day fishing trips are more expensive than half-day ones.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Florida, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for largemouth bass, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for crappie, please check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake Fork, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Clear Lake, please check out this helpful guide.
