Fishing Lake Okeechobee: Bass, Crappie, and Mayan Cichlids in January 2025

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm excited to share with you the latest fishing report for Lake Okeechobee as of January 31, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather. Today, we're looking at a partly cloudy sky with a high of around 75 degrees and a gentle breeze out of the southeast at about 10 mph. Sunrise was at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 6:04 PM, giving us a good long day to get out on the water.

The fish activity has been quite lively, especially with the bass and crappie spawn in full swing since last month. For bass fishing, some of the hottest spots right now include the Shoal from the Blue Hole up to just past the 2nd pole area, and into the opening that leads into Moonshine Bay. Moonshine Bay itself can be a bit hit-or-miss, but it's definitely fishable on windy days. Other areas worth checking out are the Monkey Box, Whidden’s Pass, Dyess Ditch, Indian Prairie, and Tin House. Both sides of King’s Bar and the riverside of Grassy and Eagle Bay close to the hard wall are also producing some nice catches. If you're willing to make the run on a low-wind day, the east side around J&S is another spot to consider[1][3].

For crappie, the areas are somewhat similar but do include Dupree Bar on the north side, around Sportsman’s, Indian Prairie, and the Kissimmee River. The Kissimmee River has been particularly productive from Christmas to mid-March, especially when the river is flowing after cold fronts. The Harney Pond Canal and Indian Prairie Canal have also been incredibly productive for speck and are worth a visit when the crowd at the river gets too thick[2].

In terms of lures and bait, for largemouth bass, Texas rigs with pitch or flip techniques are working well, especially around reeds and lily pads. Bladed jigs, frogs, and swim jigs are also popular choices. Soft swimbaits and hard topwater lures like walking baits are also catching some nice fish[5].

For crappie, jigging near the edges of vegetation stands is a good strategy. Early and late in the day are the best times, and night fishing is becoming phenomenal this time of year. If you prefer live bait, threadfin shad are what the specks are feeding on, but if you're like me and prefer artificial lures, small jigs and minnow imitations can be very effective[2].

One of the hot spots I recommend is the Monkey Box area, which is notorious for largemouth bass. Fishing from shore or by boat in Clewiston, particularly around the southwest shore of Okeechobee, is also highly recommended. This area is well-positioned and offers calm waters, making it perfect for shoreline fishing[3].

Lastly, keep an eye out for Mayan Cichlids, which are becoming more prolific in the lake. These non-native fish have no bag or size limit and can be targeted easily with live worms, crickets, or small artificial baits. They're a tasty delicacy and can be caught from the bank in the Indian Prairie canal and Harney Pond canal[2].

So, gear up and get out there With the right lures and a bit of local knowledge, you're set for a fantastic day of fishing on Lake Okeechobee. Tight lines