Outdoor Okeechobee

Okeechobee Highlights

With its deep southern location, this enormous, lake (over 730-plus square miles) enjoys a long bass spawning that runs from early fall through the winter. During these seasons, you'll find bass in the lake's shallows. Head to the sheltered northwest shore and fish spots where the water is roughly four feet deep and thick with bulrush and other grasses.
Due to a disquieting dip in Okeechobee's small largemouth bass and black crappie populations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revised the lake's fishing rules, effective July of 2008. Per these new regulations, you'll need to throw back any largemouth bass under 18 inches in length, as well as any black crappie under 10 inches. On the other end of the spectrum, to help maintain the lake's population of adult fish, you're allowed to keep only one 22-inch-or-longer largemouth bass each day.
Angler's Villas are a good choice if you'd like to stay on the north side of the lake. It's nothing fancy, but it's clean and relatively spacious; the moderate prices make longer stays possible, and the fully equipped kitchens make them comfortable.
Harney Pond is a favorite spot to catch bluegill, crappie, and other pan fish.

By Travel Expert: Mike Sigalas

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