FISHING REPORT OVERVIEW
If you chose to fish for bass last weekend in Lake Okeechobee, Lake Istokpoga, or any of the shallow water lakes you probably had a pretty rough go of it due to the sudden drop in water temperatures. Some lakes were enjoying water temperatures in the high 60’s only to drop into the upper 50’s over the weekend. The bass just hunkered down and were not in a feeding mood. However if you opted to fish a deep water lake like Lake Placid, June, or Lotela in Highlands County you could have had a very memorable weekend. There were reports of anglers catching 50+ fish for the day though mostly in the 4-lb and under class though a few up to 8-lbs were boated Those catching fish were using their electronics to locate schools of bait hoovering near the thermoclines and found plenty of bass just below the schools. Granted this type of fishing is different than the usual shallow water flipin’ and pitchin’ that most bass anglers are accustomed to but when Mother Nature throws a curve ball you need to adapt. Fortunately the air temperature has since warmed up and is expected to remain for a while so shallow water lake temperatures will quickly return to the upper 60’s and even the mid 70’s making conditions rip for a nice weekend of bass fishing in Okeechobee.
OKEECHOBEE WEATHER OUTLOOK
A steady weather pattern will be setting up on Thursday and will continue into next week. A stream of high clouds is coming out of the Gulf and should provide partly sunny skies, mild temperatures, and only a slight chance of a passing shower. Overall this weekend should be a great for fishing or to be outdoors. The barometer will bottom out on Thursday and Friday with the passing of the front and will slowly rise through the weekend and into next week. Daytime highs and lows will be relatively consistent through-out the region with the northern parts cooling off perhaps 5-degrees more during the evening. Friday’s morning low should be about 60 °s in Sebring and 65° around Lake Okeechobee. Daytime highs will approach 80°s in both areas. Saturday’s morning low will be 5°s cooler and then moderate again on Sunday. The daytime highs will be about 75° and 80° for Saturday and Sunday. Winds on Friday will vary with respect to your proximity to the Gulf with an afternoon sea breeze kicking in for areas closer to the Gulf. Further inland expect light to moderate winds from the SW to W at less than 10mph on Friday and then shifting to the NW on Saturday and then to the ENE on Sunday. Sunrise on Friday will be at 6:43am and will set at 6:25pm. The moon will rise at 3:02am and set at 2:09pm and will be at 23% reflectivity as the approaching new moon arrives on Tuesday. The AM:Major occurs on Friday at 7:15am and the PM:Major occurs at 7:42pm. Be sure to add approximately 45 minutes per day for the next major feeding period. Overall it’s going to be a very nice weekend for all outdoor activities.
WATER LEVELS — 03/03/2016
Lake Okeechobee: 15.83 ASL ↓ 0.23-ft, Temp 68°
Lake Istokpoga: 39.27 ASL ↓ 0.15-ft, Temp 67°
Arbuckle Creek @ DeSoto: 4.2-ft ↓ 0.1-ft
Fisheating Creek @ US 27: 5.42-ft ↑ 0.53-ft
Peace River @ Zolfo Springs: 7.54-ft ↓ 2.41-ft
Kissimmee River @ S-65E Head 20.93-ft, Tail 15.48-ft, Flow 3,278 CFS
Caloosahatchee River
Moore Haven Locks S-77: Head 15.02-ft, Tail 11.06-ft, Flow 5706 CFS, 7-day avg 5,542 CFS
Ortona Locks S-78: Head 10.51-ft, Tail 3.33-ft, Flow 4,974 CFS, 7-day avg. 6,305 CFS
W.P Franklin Lock S-79: Head 3.06-ft, Tail 1.51-ft, Flow 6,600 CFS, 7-day avg. 7,181 CFS
Lake Okeechobee Locks
St Lucie Lock S-80: Head 12.62-ft, Tail 0.82-ft, Flow 6,448 CFS, 7-day avg. 6,536 CFS
Port Mayaca Lock S-308: Head 15.81-ft, Tail 15.50-ft, Flow 3,476 CFS. 7-day avg. 3,600CFS
Lake Okeechobee South End
Slim’s Fish Camp, Belle Glade; 561-996-3844: Jim reported that last weekend was tough fishing with lake temperatures dropping into the upper 50’s. This week’s warming trend should reverse that and return the lake to the upper 60’s. Lake levels are continuing to drop though clarity remains a challenge. Search for clear water and your luck will improve dramatically. Wild shiners are still the best chance for landing a trophy fish and they are readily available. The artificial bite should also improve with warming temperatures and clearing water. Speck fishing remains strong through-out the lake. This weekend should be a good ‘make-up’ weekend for those who had a tough bite last weekend.
Roland Martin Marine Center, Clewiston; 863-983-2128: The folks at the Marine Center report that conditions are improving as water temperatures continue to rise. There should be a return of the females to the beds through-out the weekend and into next week. Live bait fishing remains to be the favored bait for those seeking the larger fish. Water temperature, clarity, and current remain the keys to successful fishing this weekend.
The Bait Shop at Harney Pond, Lakeport; 863-946-0170: The Bait Shop at Harney Pond like others on the Big O suffered through a tough weekend. The good thing is the water flow from Fisheating Creek is slowing so water clarity is beginning to improve. Warming temperatures will bring the spawners back and fishing is improving each day. Wild shiners remain in tight supply though domestics are available. The artificial bite is also improving as water clarity returns. Quality Speck fishing can still be found between Horse Island and Bird Island and north to Indian Prairie.
Lake Okeechobee North End
Garrard’s Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-763-3416: Lief reports the lake is rebounding from its cold spell and the shiner bite is returning quickly while the artificial bite lags behind. Little Grassy Island and King’s Bar to Indian Prairie remain the hot beds of activity for both bass and Specks. Specks are taking minnows and jigs with chartreuse and white w-silver remaining the best producers.
No Bad Daze Bait & Tackle, Okeechobee; 863-484-8126: Tyler reports it was a tough weekend for bass anglers but a great weekend for Speck fisherman. Nubbin Slough and Henry Creek east toward J&S Fish Camp remain active areas for speck. Live minnows and jigs are both producing well.
Highlands County
Admiral’s Cove. Laker Placid; 863-465-0982: Bass fishing in the deeper lakes remained consistent through the cold weekend while the shallow water lakes suffered with the dropping temperatures. Specks seemed to be less affected by the cold water than the bass. Live minnows are the best bait for the panfish. A warm sunny weekend should be just what the doctor ordered.
Performance Marine, Lake Placid, 863-465-2814: Those fishing the deeper lakes had to depend on their electronics to locate the schools of bait and the bass lying underneath them. The spawners moved out of the shallows and relocated along the thermoclines. As shoreline temperatures rise, they should return to the shallows and continue their spawn and post-spawn feed. It should be a good weekend for both shallow and deeper water lakes.
Lorida Bait & Tackle, Lorida; 863-655-2323: Scott reports water temperatures rebounding well from last weekend. Light winds and warming temperatures should bring the spawners back into the shallows. Though live bait is still the preferred bait for the larger bass, just prior to the cold snap angler were using large profile baits like mega daddy worms, 8-10 inch worms, big creature trailers, and Big Ez’s to entice the bigger females to the hook. Specks, bluegils, catfish and some shellcrackers are also in the mix and trending upward. This weekend should be a good weekend for all anglers.
Caloosahatchee River
Miller Bait & Tackle, LaBelle; 863-342-8264: The Corps continue to push large volumes of Lake Okeechobee water to the coast. The water flow is very dark and sedimented so fishing is mostly reactionary. Best to search for clear water in the oxbows, deep into Lake Hicpochee, and upstream into the feeder creeks.
IN-CLOSING
If you’re a shallow water bass fishermen last weekend was probably a lost weekend. Well this weekend should make up for it. Warming temperatures, high overcast skies, and slight to moderate winds should make for great fishing conditions this weekend. So take advantage of it while you can.
