Photo storyWater temperature · Florida
Postcard from Lake Okeechobee: 74°F water and a quiet November
What Lake Okeechobee looks and fishes like on November 10, with the water at 74°F.
Fall on the water means cool mornings, fewer boats and fish feeding up before winter. Lake Okeechobee spreads over about 467,000 acres and roughly 135 miles of shoreline at full pool. At its deepest the lake reaches around 10 ft. The main targets on Lake Okeechobee are largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Knowing which fish are comfortable at that day's temperature narrows a big lake down to a few good spots.
On the water now
The surface reads 74°F (a few days ago). Expect largemouth bass on Lake Okeechobee to be a solid pick. In the 70s bass feed hard but pick their hours, low light and shade most of all. Crappie are catchable with patience. In the 70s crappie scatter; docks, brush and bridge shade at mid depth hold the most fish.
The level reads 14.4 ft, 0.8 ft higher than a week ago and 2.1 ft up over 30 days. That puts it 0.6 ft below the usual level for this time of year. Rising water floods new cover along the banks, and fish move in with it.
What to pack for
For the calmest weather, Tuesday is the pick of the next few days: partly sunny then slight chance rain showers, wind around 6 mph and a high near 82°F. Bring a rain shell and a warm layer; the wind on open water adds a chill.
Where to go
Our pick to start on Lake Okeechobee is the back of a cove in 8 to 12 ft of water, marked on the map. Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather. It is a good place for largemouth bass and bluegill; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge.
Plan a visit
Launch at Chancy Bay Creek boat launch and Henry Creek. Tuesday is the best-rated day for the bite. Places to stay near the water are listed below if you want to make a weekend of it.
Lake Okeechobee every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
Read the guide
- Water temperature and where bass are, season by seasonHow water temperature tells you where bass and other fish are holding through the year, with a simple temperature-band table you can use on any lake.
- Lake Okeechobee fishing guide: bass in a shallow grass lakeHow to fish Lake Okeechobee, Florida's huge shallow bass lake: grass-edge tactics, season patterns, launch points and safety basics for an open, windy lake.
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