FISHING REPORT OVERVIEW
This weekend is looking to be a great weekend on the water. We’ve had warm and stable weather this past week, water temperatures are on the rise, and Lake Okeechobee’s water level is on the decline. With a full moon arriving on Monday and with the predictions of warm temperatures and light to moderate winds over the weekend, expect the fishing to be hot. Female bass should be on the move into the shallows for the spawn and the Speck bite should be great just about everywhere. Just a word of caution, though the warm sun might feel great, don’t forget to use sunscreen when on the water. It doesn’t have to be hot to get sunburned.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
This weekend should be a tourist postcard weekend with sunny to party sunny skies, mild temperatures, light to moderate winds and only a hint of a passing for the entire region. We’ll start the day on Friday with temperatures in the low 50°s, clear skies and light winds from the NNE a less than 10mph. Approaching midday the temperatures should peak just above 70°s with the winds shifting to the East and remaining below 15 mph. Saturday should be a repeat of Friday though there will be more clouds around and the daytime highs will approach 75°. Winds will remain from the east but stay light and less than 10mph. Sunday should be a repeat of Saturday but with winds even lighter. A rising barometer should peak on Friday and gradually fall off as a low pressure system moves through on Tuesday. Winds will be slightly higher near Lake Okeechobee though not by a substantial amount. Friday’s sunrise will be at 6:56am and will set at 6:17pm. The moon will rise at 3:45pm and set at 4:32am and will be approaching a full moon that will occur on Monday. Friday’s AM:Major will occur at 8:37am while the PM:Major will occur at 8:17pm. Remember to add approximately 45 minutes to each major per consecutive day through the weekend.
WATER LEVELS — 02/17/2016
Lake Okeechobee: 16.19 ASL ↓ 0.17-ft, Temp 65°
Lake Istokpoga: 39.31 ASL ↓ 0.03-ft, Temp 62°
Arbuckle Creek @ DeSoto: 4.5 -ft ↓ 0.3-ft
Fisheating Creek @ US 27: 5.47-ft ↓ 0.52-ft
Peace River @ Zolfo Springs: 9.65-ft ↓ 2.29-ft
Kissimmee River @ S-65E: Head 21.03-ft, Tail 16.06-ft, Flow 3739 CFS
Caloosahatchee River
Moore Haven Locks S-77: Head 15.99-ft, Tail 11.33-ft, Flow 7840 CFS, 7-day avg 7,797 CFS
Ortona Locks S-78: Head 10.82-ft, Tail 3.66-ft, Flow 5722 CFS, 7-day avg. 6,189 CFS
W.P Franklin Lock S-79: Head 3.38-ft, Tail 2.08-ft, Flow 7854 CFS, 7-day avg. 8,253 CFS
Lake Okeechobee Locks
St Lucie Lock S-80: Head 13.22-ft, Tail 1.32-ft, Flow 5388 CFS, 7-day avg. 5,978 CFS
Port Mayaca Lock S-308: Head 16.14-ft, Tail 15.86-ft, Flow 4453 CFS. 7-day avg. 4,172 CFS
Lake Okeechobee South End
Slim’s Fish Camp, Belle Glade; 561-996-3844: Jim reports the fishing has been great for the last few days. Water conditions are improving and the lake level has begun to decline. Those fishing for bass with wild shiners have been doing the best and this week shiners are plentiful. This week a few 10-lb plus females were caught on the south end of the lake. The artificial lure bite has been off though the warming lake temperatures should improve the bite. The Crappie bite has been strong and steady for both day and night fishermen. Those heading out in the early evening are having the best action and are quickly returning with their limits. This should be a great weekend to get a line wet.
Roland Martin Marine Center, Clewiston; 863-983-2128: The bass bite still remains off for artificals though this week’s warm stable weather should get the situation on the mend. Lake levels are slowly going down so the bass will be moving back into a normal seasonal pattern. Should be a good weekend of fishing.
The Bait Shop at Harney Pond, Lakeport; 863-946-0170: The Bait Shop at Harney Pond reports the Speck bite is still going strong though the sizes are a bit off from last week. Last week the winning weight for the weekly ‘Speckathon’ was 1.97-lbs. The Bird Island area still remains strong spot as well as the Horse Island. As for the bass fishing, water conditions have improved quite a bit since Fisheating Creek was dumping all that freshwater into the bay. Unfortunately wild shiners still remain in tight supply and anglers are having to resort to domestics. The artificial bite still hasn’t returned to full strength as of yet. This past week smaller bass sizes has been the norm.
Lake Okeechobee North End
Garrard’s Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-763-3416: Lief reports the Speck fishing has been really good this past week. Most active areas are near Little Grassy and inside Kings Bar. The Specks are taking both minnows and jigs. Both Andy jigs and tube jigs are doing well with the hot colors being white with silver and chartreuse. As for the bass fishing the bite has been a little slower than expected especially on the artificial bite. Wild shiners continue to produce quality bass just not in the numbers we are used to for this time of year. The high water has them scattered deeper in the vegetation
Highlands County
Admiral’s Cove. Laker Placid; 863-465-0982: Lots of anglers on the water this past week. Warmer air temperatures bringing out a lot of fishermen. In the local lakes Speck fishing is doing well with live minnows producing the best. Bass fishing picking up with better action towards the later part of the afternoon. In the shallow lakes bass are still scattered due to the high water and seeking shelter under thick or floating vegetation. Look for floating grass mats and fish their edges.
Performance Marine, Lake Placid, 863-465-2814: The local lakes in the Lake Placid area are showing signs of an improving bass bite. Water temperatures are on the rise and bass having been coming into the shallows later in the day. Plastic worms and swim baits are both producing.
Lorida Bait & Tackle, Lorida; 863-655-2323: Scott reports Lake Istokpoga is starting to heat-up again. Things slowed down after the last cold front but the temperatures are up and so it the bite including bass and specks. For bass, though the real hefty females aren’t being caught there are a lot of 5-7lb fish being caught. Speed-worms seem to be doing the best among the artificial baits and of course wild shiners are producing as well. For Specks, both minnows and jigs are producing. The approaching full moon should kick the Speck bite into overdrive.
Tall Tales Bait & Tackle, Avon Park; 863-452-2248: Rob at Tall Tales is having a Moving Sale. He has special prices on everything in the shop. Now would be a great time to stock up on plastic worms and many other items. Until the move is complete, Rob will not be carrying live bait. Meanwhile the bass fishing has been improving through the week. These warm temperatures have been bringing the bass into the shallows.
Caloosahatchee River
Miller Bait & Tackle, LaBelle; 863-342-8264: The releases from Lake Okeechobee has a lot of water flowing towards the ocean. Those fish attracted to faster moving water are congregating near the spillways while the bass are staying off the river flows. Interesting times on the river.
IN-CLOSING
This weekend follows a week of warm stable weather which should improve both water quality and water temperatures on all the area’s lakes. If you found our weekly Okeechobee fishing report useful, please support us by sharing it on Facebook!
