Big O Fishing Report - Stellar Bass, Crappie & Bluegill Action on Lake Okeechobee

Hey there, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Saturday morning fishing report for the Big O on May 17th, 2025.

We're looking at another beautiful day on Lake Okeechobee with temperatures expected to hit the low 80s by afternoon. The sun rose at 6:45 AM, and you'll have good fishing light until sunset at 8:07 PM. Winds are staying light today at around 5-7 mph, creating near-perfect conditions across the lake.

Water levels have been steadily falling for months now, currently sitting just above 11 feet, which is below our typical May average. This drop has concentrated the fish into predictable areas, and let me tell you, the fishing has been absolutely phenomenal!

The bass bite remains red hot! We're consistently seeing 5-8 pounders coming to the boat, with many anglers reporting 50-100 fish days. Several trophy largemouths over 8 pounds were landed this past week. Your best bet for these chunky bass has been flipping heavy cover with creature baits or working topwater frogs early morning along the edges of hydrilla and peppergrass. The Rim Canal and Grassy Island have been particularly productive for bass.

The crappie fishing has been on fire too! We've had reports of 100-150 fish days with some beautiful slabs in the 12-14 inch range weighing up to two pounds. Small minnows and jigs in chartreuse or white have been the ticket. Focus on the deeper holes in the Kissimmee River or around the submerged brush piles near Harney Pond for your best shot at filling the cooler.

For you bluegill enthusiasts, the action is heating up too, with crickets and red wigglers producing limits of hand-sized fish along the north shore vegetation lines.

Hot spots this week include Observation Shoal for those monster bass, especially during the first few hours after sunrise. Eagle Bay has been producing consistent numbers as well. For crappie, head to King's Bar or the mouth of the Kissimmee River where the deeper channels are holding schools of these tasty panfish.

Remember, with water levels down, be extra cautious navigating the lake, especially in the western and southern sections where some underwater hazards might be lurking closer to the surface than usual.

That's the report for today, May 17th. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines, wet nets, and I'll see you on the water!