Lake Okeechobee, Florida - Level, Map,
Pictures & Fishing on Famous Big O.
Below are some of the reasons
Lake Okeechobee is so well regarded by bass fisherman everywhere, but you need to experience
the "Big O"
first hand - click here for more information on our Lake
Okeechobee bass fishing guides.
Experience South Florida Bass
fishing at its best, whether your traveling from Sebring, Okeechobee City, Tampa,
Sarasota, Moore Haven, Ft Myers, Naples, Clewiston, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, W Palm
Beach, Ft Pierce and Vero Beach. Fish with our touring Bass Masters Pros and learn pro-techniques to help improve the success of your
own bass fishing tours. Great for beginners, experienced anglers
or just recreation! Women, children, wheel chairs and large/small company groups welcome.
History of Lake Okeechobee
Florida
 The Seminole Indian name Okeechobee
means "Big Water". An appropriate name for the largest
fresh water lake in the United States, occurring entirely in one state. The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission states, "there is no place that can compare with Lake Okeechobee, not only for lunker bass, history and wildlife, but its size."
The lake is approximately 37 miles long by 30 miles
wide, totaling over
730 square miles with an average depth of only 10 feet. To fishermen nationwide,
it's renowned for the number of bass it contains per acre. Lake Okeechobee also produces more bass over
7 pounds than any lake in Florida and the United States.
Lake Okeechobee is
located in central southern Florida, north of the Everglades and south of
Orlando. It links the Atlantic and Gulf sides of Florida via the
Port Mayaca Lock on the east side of the lake and the Moore Haven Lock on the
lake’s western side. Drainage canals lower the lake and drain adjacent lands
for farming. Agricultural activities around the Lake Okeechobee area include
cattle ranching, dairy farming, and crop production of sugarcane, winter vegetables,
citrus, sod, sweet corn and rice.
In 1926 and 1928,
hurricane
waters destroyed the dikes on the lake’s southern edge, which resulted in
thousands of deaths. Canals and levees were built and the Lake Okeechobee waterway
was
developed for use as a reservoir. Today, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the
South Florida Water Management District direct the waters via dikes, canals and
floodgates in order to protect against flooding, to prevent navigation of saltwater intrusion,
and to provide water for agricultural irrigation and drinking water supplies to
large urban areas in South Florida. These water management activities have
greatly encumbered the water flow from the Big O to the Everglades.
Instead of alternating wet and dry seasons, which provided steady sheets of
water, the Everglades now receive times of drought
or powerful discharges of water.
Okeechobee is well known not only throughout the U.S. but the whole world.
Hawghunter's guide service, known as "Big Lake Guide
Service" has clients who come from all over the world, including Japan and Europe, just to
wild shiner fish
on Lake Okeechobee in the great Florida outdoors.
This body of water sports all types of waterway structures to fish - from open water to narrow canals surrounded by hundreds of different vegetations and grasses.
We have put together directions, including distance in miles, where you can find your easiest route to Lake
Okeechobee, Florida, Everglades and Miami Lakes. Click here for
directions and ramp locations.
We also have a full
photo album and testimonials of the fish caught by our customers. If you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, click here to book your
Lake Okeechobee Fl bass fishing guide, or get detailed fishing trip information.
Current Conditions & Water Levels
SFWMD
Current Level - The current average stage level
for Lake Okeechobee
Historic Lake Levels - Graph of levels for Lake Okeechobee from 1932-2005
Stage Hydrograph -
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - A graphic view of the Lake Okeechobee stage
over time.
Lake & Vicinity -
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - A Complete Water Report for Lake Okeechobee
and surrounding areas.
Local Contacts
Okeechobee Service Center
Environmental Management & Restoration
NEW: The South Florida
Environmental Report - Formerly known as the Everglades Consolidated Report,
this newly expanded, two volume report now includes information on LakeOkeechobee, the Kissimmee River and Coastal Ecosystems along with aquatic weeds. It also includes six
annual reports required under various regulatory mandates: the Fiscal Year 2005
Annual Work Plan Report; 2006 Minimum Flows and Levels Priority List and
Schedule; Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan; Water Supply; Florida Forever
Work Plan, 2006 Annual Update; and Mitigation Donation Annual Report.
FLORIDA FOREVER WORK PLAN:
2007 Draft Update - a component of the
2007 SFER.
The SFER
WebBoard is now available for posting comments on this draft.
Okeechobee Watershed Management - Research, planning and implementation
efforts within the Lake Okeechobee watershed.
Okechobee FAQs
In-Lake Projects
Lake Okeechobee Documents
Aquatic Vegetation Status & Trends - Submerged vegetation is the keystone
indicator of the lake's ecological health and is one of 15 ecological
performance measures for the entire south Florida ecosystem.
Water Quality Monitoring - Captures environmental monitoring in south
Florida.
SFWMD
Water Management Plan (DWMP)
Links to other state,
federal &
local govt. & groups
Click here
to request
more information on Trophy Bass Lake Okechobee bass fishing trips!
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