FISHING REPORT OVERVIEW
Over the past few weeks we’ve had steady easterly to southeasterly breezes which during the afternoons has produced isolated heavy rains. This is about to change with a tropical low approaching from the west. It’s supposed to arrive late Sunday and is forecasted to bring heavy rains to the central part of the state. This change in weather pattern should bring a great weekend of fishing, that is until the storms arrive. Once the rains end, there will be a surge in water through-out the watershed and streams and lakes will being rising rapidly. A good fishermen will know how to adapt to these sudden changes in conditions and possibly have a shot at a displaced trophy sized bass.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Forecasters are watching a developing system in the Western Caribbean which has the potential to form into a tropical system on Sunday and move into central Florida in the first half of next week. Whether the system remains unorganized or becomes a Tropical Depression or a named storm, it is forecasted to bring from 2 to 7 inches of rain to parts of our region. The leading edge of the front is expected to arrive late Sunday afternoon with most of the rain coming on Monday and Tuesday. Prior to its arrival we remain in our present weather pattern with light to moderate winds out of the east to southeast with late afternoon storms and thunderstorms. Where the Gulf’s sea breeze moves inland, expect to see more intense thunderstorms with plenty of lighting and periods of intense rain. The mornings will start under humid conditions with lows the mid 70’s and reach into the lower 90’s by mid-afternoon. Sunrise for Friday will occur at 6:28am and set at 6:49pm. The moon will rise at 5:20am and set at 6:49pm. The New Moon occurs on Sunday so the moon will have minimal reflectance over the weekend. Friday’s AM:Major occurs at 10:25am while the PM:Major occurs at 10:54pm. With the sun and the moon tracking across the sky during the same period, the activity periods should be strong this weekend.
WATER LEVELS: 06/3/2016
Lake Okeechobee: 14.33 ASL ↓ 0.05-ft
Lake Istokpoga: 38.30 ASL↓ 0.10-ft
Istokpoga Canal S68: Head 38.31 ASL, Tail 31.97 ASL, Flow 599 CFS
Arbuckle Creek @ DeSoto: 3.9-ft ↓ 1.3-ft
Fisheating Creek @ US 27: 3.58-ft ↓ 1.19-ft
Fisheating Creek @ Lakeport: Flow 310 CFS
Peace River @ Zolfo Springs: 7.94-ft ↓ 0.06-ft
Kissimmee River @ S-65E: Head 20.86-ft, Tail 14.25-ft, Flow 4944 CFS
Caloosahatchee River
Moore Haven Locks S-77: Head 13.72-ft, Tail 10.86-ft, Flow 4116 CFS, 7-day avg 4,085 CFS
Ortona Locks S-78: Head 10.67-ft, Tail 2.93-ft, Flow 3761 CFS, 7-day avg. 4,005 CFS
W.P Franklin Lock S-79: Head 2.80-ft, Tail 1.01-ft, Flow 5253 CFS, 7-day avg. 5,549 CFS
Lake Okeechobee Locks
St Lucie Lock S-80: Head 13.28-ft, Tail 2.07-ft, Flow-1802 CFS, 7-day avg. 1,809 CFS
Port Mayaca Lock S-308: Head 14.26-ft, Tail 14.11-ft, Flow 1755 CFS. 7-day avg. 1,753 CFS
Lake Okeechobee South End
Slim’s Fish Camp, Belle Glade; 561-996-3844: Water conditions have been spotty at best and the fishing is the same. Lots of chocolate colored water is being found in the canals and trails and the bass bite is tough in these areas. It seems the bass turn-on for only a short period of time to feed and then hunker down to withstand the poor water quality conditions. The trick is to find when they will bite. Most of the time it’s in the early morning hours but there are times when it’s a late morning or early afternoon bite. If fishing dirty water, stick to dark colored baits and baits that make noise or vibrations. You’re better off spending some time searching for clear water than hitting all you favorite holes that are filled with chocolate water. The panfish bite has also been tough when the water conditions are poor. However when you do find the fish, bluegills remain the primary panfish and their sizes are nice. Reports of green algae on the open water are coming in when conditions are right for the blooms to occur. These blooms will be with us for the remainder of the summer. Green algae is safe to fish in while blue green is not.
Roland Martin Marine Center, Clewiston; 863-983-2128: The bite remains scattered. Some nice sized bass are being caught in the 4-6 lbs range but you have to work for them if you’re using artificial baits. Shiner fishing remains consistent with plenty of 2-4 lbs fish being boated. The bass are in their early summer pattern and moving from deep water into the shallows to feed and then back out into the deeper water or thicker cover.
The Bait Shop at Harney Pond, Lakeport; 863-946-0170: Water conditions have been tough after the recent rains brought plenty of sediment into the bay. If the water doesn’t look good then keep moving. If you locate good water you’re likely to find lots of fish so stay off the school and fish from the outside edges into the school. To locate good water you’ll need to follow the winds and stay on the lee side of the outside edges. When you do find bass they are generally in the 2-4 lb range with a few larger bass hanging around the bluegill beds waiting for an opportunity to ambush one. The Bluegill and catfish bite has being good though the Shellcracker situation remains a mystery. Occasionally a Shellcracker school has been found but they get overfished right away and the school gets skittish and disappears.
Lake Okeechobee North End
Garrard’s Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-763-3416: The fishing has been good along the North Shore up into the Kings Bar area. The Kissimmee River has been flowing heavily and it’s bringing a lot of dirty water into the lake. Try to steer clear of this dirty water and look for clear water. Bluegills are bedding so if you can find the beds through the dirty water there are probably bass nearby. Use baits consistent with bluegill colors and work them around the edges of the nests. Depending on the conditions, crank baits, chatter baits, and rattle traps are producing well. There are some really nice fish feeding on the Bluegills but you have to find the Bluegill beds first. Like elsewhere on the lake, consistently locating Shellcrackers has been a challenge.
No Bad Daze Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-484-8126: Tyler reports fishing in the Kissimmee River has been good for smaller sized bass. Lots of 2-4 lbs can be caught drifting a bait with a Carolina or drop-shot rig. Staying just off the fast moving current seems to be the most productive. Inflows such as feeder streams, culverts, and drainage ditches are also great places to find bass waiting to ambush their next meal. On the northeast side of the lake, the water condition seems to be much better than around the mouth of the Kissimmee River. Bass continue to be along the grass edges in the morning and moving into the grass during the day.
J&S Fish Camp, Okeechobee; 772-597-4455: Terri reports good water conditions outside the locks and in the trails. Consistent easterly winds also helps to keep water conditions clear. This translates into quality fishing. Some nice size bass are being boated daily. Start along the grass lines during the morning and work your way into the grass as the day gets long. The back trails have also proved productive.
Highlands County
Admiral’s Cove. Laker Placid; 863-465-0982: Isolated late afternoon thunderstorms have brought changing conditions to many of the lakes. Since most of the smaller lakes have micro watersheds, some lakes see rapid increases in water levels while neighboring lakes see little change. If you find a lake with a recent rise in water, fish the newly flooded areas and the channels leading into them. The bass will be moving into these areas in search of new feeding grounds. Topwater frogs and soft plastic swimbaits are great for these newly flooded areas.
Performance Marine, Lake Placid, 863-465-2814: The deeper lakes are becoming primarily open water fishing lakes now. Bass are hanging around ledges, brush piles and other underwater structures. Though bass are still being caught in the shallows and vegetation areas, the bigger bass are down deep where the schools of baitfish are and where the water is cooler. These lakes favor those fishermen who know how to use their electronics to find the underwater structures.
Lorida Bait & Tackle, Lorida; 863-655-2323: Scott reports Lake Istokpoga has been spotty but good. Some guys go out one day and can catch some quality bass and the next day they come up with nothing. Water temperatures are high so fishing cloudy days or just after a cool night or thunderstorm might produce more favorable conditions for a quality bite. Topwater frogs and spinners in the mornings work well while slow moving jigs and creature baits perform better in the heat of the day.
Caloosahatchee River
Mickey’s Bait & Tackle, Moore Haven, 863-946-3100: Water, water, everywhere. Recent rains and high discharge rates has water everywhere. Though the catfish are loving it, bass fishermen are having to work for their catch. In the river, the increased discharge has fish seeking shelter in the eddies and slower moving waters. The water is dark so vibrating lures and lures that produce more flash will have a better chance of being hit. Spillways, culverts, and flowing drainage ditches still attract fish.
IN-CLOSING
With isolated storms producing localized flooding, fishing has become an exercise in adaptation. In smaller lakes and streams, when waters rise fish will be on the move into these newly flooded areas. As waters recede they will retreat back into the lake. So you’ll need to recognize the present state of the water you’re fishing and adapt according. On the bigger lakes like Lake Okeechobee, it’s all about water quality. If fishing near an inflow like the Kissimmee River or Fisheating Creek, high water flows could mean a bad day on the lake unless you’re willing to move about to find better water conditions. Also keep an eye on the weather. Though you don’t want to be caught out on the water during a bad thunderstorm, a cloudy or light rainy day could be just the change the fish are waiting for and become very aggressive feeders.
Finally, throughout the weekend keep an ear on the weather for the storm that is brewing should not be dismissed lightly. Expect rivers like the Peace River, the Kissimmee River, Fisheating Creek and all the local streams to have a sudden increase in flow and volume. Don’t get caught in the sudden surge.
