This is Artificial Lure with your November 13, 2025 Lake Okeechobee fishing report.

We kicked off the morning under mostly clear skies, a light southeast breeze rustling the grass, and temps hovering in the mid-60s before warming toward the low 80s by afternoon. According to NOAA, today’s sunrise hit about 6:40 a.m. and sunset’s expected 5:32 p.m. The forecast calls for calm winds shifting up to 10 mph later in the day, with no rain and humidity rising into the afternoon.

Now, Okeechobee doesn’t have tidal swings like coastal waters, so the key factor here is water movement from the wind and seasonal drawdowns. Recent Florida Fish and Wildlife reports say the lake level sits near 13 feet—a bit below full pool—which means some of those classic shallow grass flats and eelgrass beds are extra exposed. Bass are pushing deeper into hydrilla and mats, and the bite’s strongest early and late, with a solid midday lull.

This past week, several tournament anglers report good catches of largemouth bass, with five fish limits regularly topping 16 to 20 pounds. The standout catches came on punched mats around Harney Pond and the Monkey Box. TrophyCatch entries feature some real brutes, with two fish over 8 pounds brought to hand in the last three days. The flip and punch bite dominates—John Cox’s style mat-punching techniques with a compact creature bait like a Chigger Bug or a MaxScent Hawg, rigged on a 3/0 straight-shank hook with a 1 to 1.5 oz tungsten, sliced through that vegetation best.

If you’re chasing numbers instead of hawgs, moving baits like the Berkley Chop Block glide bait and classic lipless crankbaits in shad and red patterns took schooling bass outside Observation Shoal and the south rim canal. Soft swimbaits and Super Flukes in natural colors proved key on wind-blown points and isolated patches of peppergrass. Topwater walking baits and poppers still work at first light, especially along the edge between the grass lines and open water. Spinnerbaits in chartreuse-white are getting bites mid-morning when the wind picks up.

Live bait—particularly wild shiners—remains unbeatable for beginners or anyone looking for a guaranteed bass tug. Local shops near Clewiston and Okeechobee City are reporting steady shiner sales, and folks dragging them near Tin House Cove and the north shore are catching both numbers and big fish.

In the panfish department, speckled perch (crappie) activity is ramping up with some slabs up to 2 pounds coming from deeper water—try jigs tipped with minnows around the Rim Canal and Taylor Creek, especially early or late. Bluegill are still biting on crickets and small worms along shallow weed lines.

Best hot spots today:
- **Harney Pond area:** Heavy grass mats continue to hold bigger bass, especially late morning if wind blows bait in.
- **Monkey Box:** Early morning and evening, punch through the heaviest vegetation with a creature bait.
- **North Shore near Tin House Cove:** For shiner fishing and topwater action.

Recommended lures and baits:
- Heavy weighted creature baits (e.g., MaxScent Hawg)
- Lipless crankbaits and glide baits (Berkley Chop Block)
- Spinnerbaits, Super Flukes, and topwater walking baits
- Wild shiners for the best shot at trophy fish

Fish activity will pick up as water warms and winds shift, especially on days with high pressure and stable conditions. Be sure to move with the bait and match the hatch; smaller profiles are working better as fall progresses. Keep an eye out: local reports from Lake Okeechobee News and Bassmaster have all highlighted strong tournament results with most fish coming from isolated mats and deep hydrilla edges.

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