FISHING REPORT OVERVIEW
Though this is still spring this weekend will give us a look at the approaching summer pattern. Late afternoon thunderstorms will be developing north of Lake Okeechobee so get on the water early and as the day heats up keep an eye out for building thunderstorms. If you happen to be near an approaching storm get to shore or safe cover to wait out the storm.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
This weekend’s weather is shaping up to be a prelude to our typical summer pattern, warm and humid nights, very warm temperatures during the day, followed by scattered thunderstorms forming in the late afternoon and early evening. In Highlands County expect to have morning temperatures in the upper 60’s to low 70’s with day times highs in the mid to upper 80’s. As daytime heating gets under way, expect to see scattered thundershowers during the late afternoon and into the evening. The pattern will repeat itself throughout the weekend. During the weekend the winds will do a complete 360 starting from the south at less than 10mph and increase to 10-15mph out of the SW. On Saturday the winds will be light and shift from the SW to the NE by evening. On Sunday the winds will complete their 360 by starting from the East in the morning and end up coming from the SW by the end of the day. Farther south near Lake Okeechobee, the chance of thunderstorms will be greatest near the north end of the lake while at the south end by Belle Glade will see less of a chance of thunderstorms but still experience periods of moderate rainfall. The winds will perform a 360 in directionality similar to what will happen in Highlands County. Sunrise on Friday will occur at 7:20am and will set at 7:36pm. The waning moon will be 95% reflective and will rise at 9:39pm and set at 8:40am. Friday’s AM:Major occurs at 1:11am while the PM:Major will occur at 1:32 pm.
WATER LEVELS — 03/18/2016
Lake Okeechobee: 15.11 ASL ↓ 0.21-ft, Temp 75°
Lake Istokpoga: 39.17 ASL↓ 0.12-ft
Istokpoga Canal S68: Head 39.17 ASL, Tail 31:71 ASL, Flow 212 CFS
Arbuckle Creek @ DeSoto: 3.77-ft ↓ 0.13-ft
Fisheating Creek @ US 27: 2.68-ft ↓ 0.87-ft
Fisheating Creek @ Lakeport: 15.22 up ASL 0.02-ft
Peace River @ Zolfo Springs: 6.20-ft up 0.10-ft spiked at 7.45-ft
Kissimmee River @ S-65E: Head 20.93-ft, Tail 14.83-ft, Flow 398 CFS
Caloosahatchee River
Moore Haven Locks S-77: Head 14.94-ft, Tail 11.27-ft, Flow 2342 CFS, 7-day avg 2,429 CFS
Ortona Locks S-78: Head 11.08-ft, Tail 2.68-ft, Flow 2204 CFS, 7-day avg. 2,413 CFS
W.P Franklin Lock S-79: Head 2.72-ft, Tail -0.06-ft, Flow 3601 CFS, 7-day avg. 3.238 CFS
Lake Okeechobee Locks
St Lucie Lock S-80: Head 13.98-ft, Tail 1.70-ft, Flow 1453 CFS, 7-day avg. 1,292 CFS
Port Mayaca Lock S-308: Head 14.99-ft, Tail 14.29-ft, Flow 1401 CFS. 7-day avg. 1,092 CFS
Lake Okeechobee South End
Slim’s Fish Camp, Belle Glade; 561-996-3844: Fishing has been steady and down-right great accept for an occasional bad weather day. When the winds and moon aren’t right the bite shuts down. On the good days the bass have been numerous though in the smaller 2-4-lbs range. Shiner fishermen have been reporting good qualities though smaller sizes. Artificial anglers are picking up a few fish though the local are still producing some nice fished bass. Speck and bluegill anglers report consistent results. Minnow and jigs are the primary baits for crappie and the bluegills are feeding on crickets. With the winds doing a 360° this weekend, you’ll need to watch for changes in wind and current to be the most productive.
Roland Martin Marine Center, Clewiston; 863-983-2128: The Marine Center is holding its first tournament of Season 2 this weekend so there has been a lot of pre-fishing activity these past few days. But being pre-tournament fishing there is a lot of activity but few reports since the anglers generally keep this information to themselves. However the guides are reporting great action on the south end especially with live bait. Those anglers punching mats are finding bites are scattered but producing nice size fish when they do get them to bite. Wild shiners remain the sure and steady means of having a great day on the water. Best of luck to this weekend’s tournament anglers and there is still time to register and get in on the action.
The Bait Shop at Harney Pond, Lakeport; 863-946-0170: The bass bite has been strong throughout Fisheating Creek Bay. The water continues to clear and the bass have been actively feeding on live shiners as well as artificals such as crank baits and plastic swim baits. The size of the bass isn’t representative of those 10-lb females but there are plenty of nice fish in the area. Speck fishing also picked up with the full moon this past week. The area outside Bird Island remains a good starting point for speck fishermen.
Lake Okeechobee North End
Garrard’s Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-763-3416: Lief reports the bass and speck fishing has been steady though the recent cool front has shut down the Bluegill activity. All along the north shore to Harney Pond bass have been biting. Those fishing with artificials have been doing ok with Senko style baits as well as spinners and chatter baits. The mornings have been the most productive time and as always, look for clean water. The speck fishing has been consistent though you have to work at getting a daily limit. The area around Little Grassy Island remains good. Live minnows and jigs are still your best baits.
No Bad Daze, Okeechobee; 863-484-8126: Tyler reports speck fishing has been strong with the passing of the full moon. Anglers are getting their limit and the sizes are decent. Most of the guys are using minnows and chartreuse colored jigs. Both drifting the lake and fishing the weeds lines have been productive. The bass bite has also improved. Fishing the bulrush edges on the NE side of the lake has been consistent. In addition to fishing with shiners, dark green plastic are having good success. In the Rim Canal Oscars are biting well on red worms and near Taylor Creek the catfish bite remains strong. Night crawlers are the best bet for these whiskered fish.
Highlands County
Admiral’s Cove. Lake Placid; 863-465-0982: Ed reports the speck and bass bite has slowed down somewhat in south Highlands County. This could be just a result of the decline in fishing pressure with many of the snowbirds packing up and returning up north. Less pressure means better fishing for the locals. Expect speck fishing to slow down some after the recent full moon while most of the bass should be in post spawn staging area. In addition to using live bait for the post spawn fish, try crank baits and other swim baits whether they be soft or hard plastics.
Performance Marine, Lake Placid, 863-465-2814: The bass moved back into the shallows this past weekend in the deep water lakes. Though fish are being found on the mid water brush piles they haven’t been feeding actively. A few tournaments where held at Istokopoga this past weekend and produced some nice weights. In the Lake Placid Marine Series it took over 24-lbs to come out on top of the field. On Lake Placid in a tournament with a 3-fish limit required over 15-lbs to win. So all-n-all the bass fishing has been good.
Lorida Bait & Tackle, Lorida; 863-655-2323: The bass were biting this past weekend. A few 10-lbers where caught over the weekend and the tournaments held on the lake did well. Conditions were windy and stormy at times but this sometimes turn the fish on. Specks are still being caught though in fewer numbers. The S68 spillway has a light flow but still providing good catfishing and panfishing.
Caloosahatchee River
Miller Bait & Tackle, LaBelle; 863-342-8264: Though the Corps continue to reduce the water discharges from Lake Okeechobee, the river still has a sustained flow and murky conditions. In spite of that the fishing has improved. Snook fishing remains steady at the spillways and along current eddies. There is a stripe bass bite going on and anglers have been using frozen shrimp for bait and live shrimp from those coming up from the west coast. Bluegills have also been active taking primarily crickets.
IN CLOSING
With warm weather and a falling barometer it should be a good weekend of fishing. Just keep an eye out for the storms and if you don’t have a weather app on your cellphone, now would be a good time to get one for you’ll need it for the summer season. Also, if you enjoyed this week’s Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report, please support us by liking and sharing on Facebook. Thank you!
