Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Sept, 2026 submitted by Capt. Angie Douthit

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Lake O’s water level is slowly rising mainly due to the typical afternoon summer rain showers. I’m seeing areas out on the lake that the vegetation has really come back, lowering the water level has helped for it to take hold and really blossom. The water quality looks great ! I’m anticipating a great start to the upcoming season which typically kicks off first of November for the pre spawn bass and crappie bite. What’s working now for the bass bite are: frogs; swim baits/swim jigs; worms; flipping isolated grass clumps; top water early in the morning; crank baits and c-rigs in the Kissimmee River. Color patterns to have handy are: white; shad; black/blue; june bug; red bug; plum; watermelon red flake or purple flake. The bream bite is still going on with most Anglers sticking to the Canals such as Harney Pond and Indian Praire and the Kissimmee River fishing with live worms and/or crickets on Ultra light spinning gear. Anglers are fishing the Shoal area (west side of the lake) accessible travelling up from Clewiston and launching from Harney Pond running the pole markers or making the run from Scott Driver in Okeechobee. Other areas are Kings Bar; Tin House and parts of Indian Praire. Some boats are making the trip across to the East side of the lake fishing around J & S. I’m taking bookings for the upcoming season and can accommodate groups and offer Veteran and one-person trip discounts. If you need a great place to stay that’s clean and friendly, try the Hampton Inn located on Highway 70 East in Okeechobee. When you call to book your fun day on the water, I’ll extend the discount code that you’ll apply when you make your hotel reservations. You gain local inside knowledge as to the best places to eat and other activities that you may want to check out while you’re in Okeechobee. Call me at 863-228-7263, send an email to adouthit49@gmail.com and be sure to check out my website www.southfloridabassfishing.com for all the latest customer pics; trip info; past fishing reports and etc.

 

 

Lake Okeechobee fishing report, July/August, 2026 by Capt. Angie Douthit, Okeechobee, Fl

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Lake Okeechobee’s current water level still remains lower than normal hovering around the 11.30 ft mark. The low water level allows for new native grass(s) to root, take hold and flourish. I’m super excited for this upcoming guide season kicking off this October and anticipate a great opportunity in catching lots of bass and an awesome spawn season for both bass and crappie. Right now “what’s biting” is bass and bream. The bream bite will continue through the summer months and bass can be caught fishing both the lake and Kissimmee River around the bream beds. Local bass tournaments are catching some big sacks on the River and the Lake. If you choose to fish the lake be aware of long idle times to reach fishable areas, take no short cuts when running the lake and stay way out from the grass line due to rock bottom in most areas of the lake. Harney pond canal located in Lakeport is a good place to launch if you’re wanting to fish the lake which you’re able to run the pvc white pole markers that will safely guide you around the Monkey box and on down to the Shoal area towards Clewiston. That is the only safe way to travel for the current low water conditions of the Lake. If you’re launching from the Kissimmee River, running out into the lake, be sure to stay way out from Kings bar (big grass edge on your right) when running west towards Buckhead Ridge/Tin house/Indian Praire area, sit down way out then idle in, it’s the safest way you’ll be able to reach/fish these areas until the water level rises this Fall/early Winter timeframe. Lures for bass that are catching are: Moibba; senkos; 12-13 inch worms; flipping/pitching lures; swim jigs/ swim baits; top water; frogs; deep diving cranks and C-Rigs in the River. Lure choices are: Junebug; White; Watermelon/Red; shad/crawdad colors; Red bug; Plum and Tequila Sunrise. For bream fishing: live crickets/red wiggler worms fished just off the bottom with a small split shot hook when fishing ledges in the River/deeper water areas and if you’re fishing the lake add a small bobber pegged for the shallow depth that you’re fishing with light spinning gear such as a 7 ft spinning rig with 4 lb Stren in clear-blue. To book you’re next fun-filled day on the water call me direct at 863-228-7263, I am do return calls very efficiently and if you have questions please reach out, I’m always happy to discuss any questions regarding booking a trip. I can accommodate group trips and do offer Veteran discounts. I also work with the top hotel in Okeechobee offering my customers deep discounts and will recommend top places to eat and enjoy “on land activities” for those staying on land. My website is kept current and will provide the information you’ll need to book your trip www.southfloridabassfishing.com