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Okeechobee Fishing Report: Trophy Bass, Crappie Bonanza, and Panfish Galore for June 20th, 2025.
Published 10 months, 1 week ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your Lake Okeechobee fishing report for Friday, June 20th, 2025.
Sunrise kicked off around 6:30 a.m. and we’ll see sunset just after 8:10 p.m. We started the morning with clear skies and a gentle southerly breeze. The forecast calls for a high in the upper 80s with scattered clouds, typical early summer weather that heats up fast by mid-morning. Water temperatures are hovering in the low 80s, and lake levels are steady at about 11–12 feet. Most areas are sporting clear water, especially along the outside grass lines and open flats, but watch out for tannic stain in tighter marsh cuts.
Fish activity is strong across the board. Largemouth bass are the main draw right now—Captain Mark Shepard notes that June is prime time for both quantity and true trophy fish, with plenty of 3–5 pounders coming to the boat and the occasional monster pushing 7 pounds or better. The recent shad spawn is drawing bass to the outer edges of vegetation, and they’re actively chasing bait over clean water and alongside reed and grass lines. Key lures are white or shad-pattern swim jigs, lipless crankbaits, and soft jerkbaits like flukes. For flipping into thicker cover, watermelon red and junebug creature baits are top picks. But nothing beats wild golden shiners for live bait—especially if you’re hunting a true lunker.
Crappie fishing has been red-hot according to Captain Experiences, with some anglers landing up to 150 fish a day—most in the 12–14 inch range and some tipping the scales at two pounds. The bite is best at first light and late afternoon, with small jigs and live minnows fished around brush piles and open holes in the grass.
Bluegill are still bedding, offering fast action on crickets and small worms, especially around the shallow flats and the cleaner outside edge pockets. If you want nonstop panfish action, target sandy patches near Grassy Island or the North Shore.
For hot spots, you can’t go wrong with Bay Bottom between Belle Glade and Grassy Island—arguably the best bass water on the Big O right now. The shoals west of Clewiston toward Ritta Island are also producing bass all day, especially where the grass meets deeper water. Up north, Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar reed lines are loaded. For a change, Fisheating Creek’s clear, tranquil water is excellent for kayak anglers chasing panfish and bass.
Tidal movement isn’t a factor on Okeechobee, but fish are most active at dawn and dusk—so beat the heat and get out early or fish the evening bite.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates and expert tips. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Sunrise kicked off around 6:30 a.m. and we’ll see sunset just after 8:10 p.m. We started the morning with clear skies and a gentle southerly breeze. The forecast calls for a high in the upper 80s with scattered clouds, typical early summer weather that heats up fast by mid-morning. Water temperatures are hovering in the low 80s, and lake levels are steady at about 11–12 feet. Most areas are sporting clear water, especially along the outside grass lines and open flats, but watch out for tannic stain in tighter marsh cuts.
Fish activity is strong across the board. Largemouth bass are the main draw right now—Captain Mark Shepard notes that June is prime time for both quantity and true trophy fish, with plenty of 3–5 pounders coming to the boat and the occasional monster pushing 7 pounds or better. The recent shad spawn is drawing bass to the outer edges of vegetation, and they’re actively chasing bait over clean water and alongside reed and grass lines. Key lures are white or shad-pattern swim jigs, lipless crankbaits, and soft jerkbaits like flukes. For flipping into thicker cover, watermelon red and junebug creature baits are top picks. But nothing beats wild golden shiners for live bait—especially if you’re hunting a true lunker.
Crappie fishing has been red-hot according to Captain Experiences, with some anglers landing up to 150 fish a day—most in the 12–14 inch range and some tipping the scales at two pounds. The bite is best at first light and late afternoon, with small jigs and live minnows fished around brush piles and open holes in the grass.
Bluegill are still bedding, offering fast action on crickets and small worms, especially around the shallow flats and the cleaner outside edge pockets. If you want nonstop panfish action, target sandy patches near Grassy Island or the North Shore.
For hot spots, you can’t go wrong with Bay Bottom between Belle Glade and Grassy Island—arguably the best bass water on the Big O right now. The shoals west of Clewiston toward Ritta Island are also producing bass all day, especially where the grass meets deeper water. Up north, Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar reed lines are loaded. For a change, Fisheating Creek’s clear, tranquil water is excellent for kayak anglers chasing panfish and bass.
Tidal movement isn’t a factor on Okeechobee, but fish are most active at dawn and dusk—so beat the heat and get out early or fish the evening bite.
Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates and expert tips. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI