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Lake Okeechobee Map

Current Okeechobee Water levels.

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Special Features

Lake Okeechobee, considered the Mother of the Everglades, is the second largest lake entirely within the United States. The Seminole Indian words oki (water) and chubi (big) correctly describe it. Many anglers call the lake the Big O. This vast expanse of water includes more than 150,000 acres of productive vegetation. A 100-yard wide rim canal circles the lake, and many secondary canals and cuts are linked to it, resulting in hundreds of miles of fishing water. Millions of largemouth bass inhabit the huge lake, and can be caught year-round. Bass seldom exceed 17 pounds but there are plenty in the six- to 12-pound class. Many anglers claim Okeechobee is the black bass and crappie (speckled perch) capital of the world. Data collected by fisheries biologists seem to support the claims. Okeechobee is a shallow lake, however, and can blow up quickly with white caps. If caught by a sudden storm, anglers can escape wind-whipped open water by seeking refuge in the countless boat trails crossing areas of vegetation.

Size and Depth

467,000 acres, with a maximum depth of 16 feet and an average depth of 10 feet. During normal water conditions, 50% of the lake is less than five feet deep. At full pool, the lake encompasses 730 square miles, with a maximum length of 37 miles and a maximum width of 30 miles. Current Okeechobee Water levels.

Shoreline

The lake is encircled by the Hoover Dike, a 38-foot high retaining levee, and outside the dike is the Rim Canal. The 151 miles of shoreline inside the dike are reed-lined with hundreds of acres anglers call hayfields. There are numerous islands around the lake, including Kreamer, Torry, Ritta, Grass, Observation, Bird, Horse, Hog and Eagle Bay. Urban development is minimal along the Okeechobee shoreline, but there are many recreational vehicle parks. Fish camps are also scattered around the lake, and range in size from bait shops to full facility campgrounds and resorts. Dairy farms are adjacent to the northeast edge of the lake. The southern shore has some citrus groves, wetlands and adjacent row crop farming of sugar cane and vegetables.

Bottom

Sand, mixed with muck in vegetation areas. There are four basic bottom types: sand is found mostly along the west and northwest shore; rock and marl extend from the south end northeast to Chancey Bay; peat is present along the south side from Clewiston to Pahokee; and mud extends from the Kissimmee River and Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough south to the east central part of the lake. Elevations (water levels) on Okeechobee are critical to navigation and fishing. Anyone visiting for the first time should check the existing water level at a marina or tackle shop before going on the lake. It is easy to get in trouble because there are many rocks, unmarked spoil islands and other obstacles. Levels below 13 feet are potentially dangerous for boat traffic. Nine feet is the lowest water level ever recorded. Boaters are advised to move cautiously when leaving marked channels during low water conditions.

Water

Very fertile and moderately clear. Dissolved oxygen profiles indicate adequate concentrations at all depths. Lake Okeechobee is classified by the South Florida Water Management District as eutrophic water. Sources of pollution include agricultural run-off from ranch and dairy operations in the north and back-pumping run-off from row crops in the south. The Kissimmee River also carries nutrients from wastewater treatment plants.

History in Brief

In the late 1920s, hurricanes forced walls of wind driven water over the lake's edges, causing catastrophic flooding. Another series of hurricanes in the late 1940s, along with several severe droughts and development pressures led to the construction of a 30 foot earthen wall around much of the lake.

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Home page || Condo / Motel Rentals || Service and Sales  || Boat Dockage || Florida Fishing Guides || Tackle Shop || Lake Okeechobee Boat Rental || Lake Okeechobee Map
|| Florida Fishing Trip Photos & Testimonials || Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report || Tournaments || Scott's Resume ||

Lake Okeechobee Map

Lake Okeechobee Map