As of November 10, 2024, Lake Okeechobee is buzzing with fishing activity, despite the lack of tidal influences due to its inland location. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.
### Weather and Water Conditions
The water level at Lake Okeechobee is currently at 16.16 feet, slightly above its historical average. The weather forecast for today includes light rain with a high temperature and gentle winds, making it a relatively comfortable day for fishing. Sunrise was at around 6:45 AM, and sunset is expected at approximately 5:30 PM.
### Fish Activity
Bass fishing has been on fire lately, with larger females starting to show up in the reeds and under mats. The bass are staging for their winter spawning, concentrating along the outside fringes of inshore spawning grounds. Areas such as the Shoal, North shore, Dyess Ditch, and Tin House have been particularly active. For crappie, the best approach is a slow troll or minimal wind drift in deeper water, targeting ledges and drop-offs.
### Catch Reports
Yesterday saw a flurry of activity, with anglers catching a significant number of bass, some up to 8 pounds. Crappie and bluegill were also plentiful, especially in areas with moving water like John Stretch Park and the Rim Canal near the Moore Haven Lock. Panfish action has been excellent, with worms, crickets, and minnows proving effective.
### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, popping frogs, swim baits, swim jigs, and flipping/pitching with worms have been highly effective. Top water lures worked slowly and methodically around specific types of cover are also producing good results. For crappie, Road Runners in Chartreuse/Black, White, and Electric Chicken colors are recommended. Live bait, particularly shiners, has been best for the larger bass.
### Hot Spots
- **Shoal and North Shore**: These areas have been hot for bass, especially around the outermost points of cattails and bulrush.
- **Dyess Ditch and Tin House**: Concentrations of bass are staging here for their winter spawning.
- **Uncle Joe’s, Blue Hole, and Turners Cove**: These southern areas are good starting points once the crappie start moving into the shallows.
- **Monkey Box/Dupree Bar and Indian Prairie**: These northern areas are also seeing a lot of bass activity.
With the high water levels and favorable weather, today promises to be an excellent day for fishing on Lake Okeechobee. Make sure to respect other boaters and enjoy the abundant fish life this lake has to offer.