Clewiston fishing charters
Bass and crappie on the south end of Lake Okeechobee.
Book a local guide for largemouth bass or crappie from Clewiston, on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake. Trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours, and the guide brings the boat, fuel, rods, reels and lures.
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Trip details: Clewiston bass fishing · Lake Okeechobee
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip.
What Clewiston fishing charters can you book?
iOutdoors books guided largemouth bass and crappie trips with local Clewiston fishing guides, from Clewiston, on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee, in 4, 6 or 8 hours, with live online booking. The guide provides the bass boat, fuel, rods, reels and lures. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license.
What's included and what's not
- Professional local fishing guide
- Boat, fuel and life jackets
- Rods, reels, tackle and artificial lures
- Florida freshwater fishing license (most anglers 16 and older)
- Live bait, such as wild shiners for bass (optional, extra cost)
- Guide tip (10–20% is customary)
Bass or crappie?
| Bass | Crappie | |
|---|---|---|
| How you fish | Artificial lures, or live wild shiners (optional, extra cost) | Light tackle with jigs and minnows |
| Main fish | Largemouth bass | Black crappie (specks), plus bluegill |
| Best season | All year; winter and early spring for big fish | The cooler months, about November to March |
| Trip lengths | 4, 6, 8 hours | 4, 6, 8 hours |
| Keep fish? | Most bass are released after photos | Popular to keep, within FWC limits |
| Best for | A trophy fish, serious anglers, families with shiners | Kids, steady action, fish for dinner |
Freshwater trips don't include a fishing license: each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
Reviews from Clewiston trips
5.0350 reviews
We had a great 2 days fishing on Lake Okeechobee with Captain DJ Timms. He was excellent with the kids. We will be back!!
Nadra Woods · October 2026 · Google
As an avid bass fisherwoman in TN, Okeechobee has always been on my bass lake bucket list and then add Mark Shephard as my guide and it couldn’t get much better! Fairly slow in the beginning but we ended up getting on a top water bite and it was game on! I will definitely be back!
Lindsey S · September 2026 · Google
Had a great time this morning catching bass on topwater. Captain Mark was an excellent guide with a lot of knowledge and experience. Don’t hesitate to book a trip with him and this company.
chad thrush · September 2026 · Google
The lake was at a record low when i went and pretty much the hardest time of year to fish. Let me tell you it didn't matter. DJ was very knowledgeable and kept me on fish pretty much the whole time. Highly recommend going anytime. It's a beautiful lake and the fish are so beautiful in color.
Matthew Humlick · September 2026 · Google
Captain DJ was an amazing fishing guide! Super knowledgeable of the local waters and overall fishing and wildlife in South Florida. I will certainly be booking with him again and I highly recommend booking with Captain DJ if your looking for a native Florida fishing expert!
David Dillon · August 2026 · Google
We enjoyed the company of Captain DJTimms as he guided us on the lake for summer bass fishing. I had my first fish on my 2nd cast. Definitely recommend and will return in winter for some lunkers.
Bob Phillips · August 2026 · Google
My dad's birthday Fishing Trip
Wanted to get a fishing trip booked for my dad's 70th birthday. I know Lake Trafford pretty well for adventure, but I didn't know the best way to go about finding the best charter. Googled and came upon Bass Online Charters; saw they were also on TripAdvisor, so came to look here too. So many…
risks D · August 2026 · TripAdvisor
I had a really good time. I highly recommend.Captain Mark Sheppard was a great guide .
Michael Hatton · August 2026 · Google
DJ was awesome. He is very knowledgeable about the lake but also know his stuff about fishing. He's also a good dude so it was easy to spend 4hrs with him.
Michael Daly · August 2026 · Google
My first Largemouth bass fishing Trip
Saw Bass Online Fishing Guides online and gave them a call, and they confirmed there was a trip we could go on a short time later. we booked a 4 hr trip with college friends. We had a wonderful time with capt. DJ, and the views were lovely and calm. My friend loved his time fishing, and we found…
Edward G · July 2026 · TripAdvisor
My son and I went out with Capt. DJ Timms on a recent trip and he was fantastic! Due to our schedule we had to book him for an afternoon trip which was not an ideal time. He quickly got us on a spot where we started catching quality bass right away - right from our first cast! In just a few hours…
Pete Liptrot · July 2026 · Google
Captain Mark Shepard provided an outstanding fishing trip on Lake Okeechobee! Even with the challenging conditions, the intense heat and relentless bugs, Mark knew exactly where to find the fish. Thanks to his experience, we landed several nice bass, including an incredible 7-pound largemouth that…
Golf man Vail · June 2026 · Google
What's biting by season in Clewiston
Florida bass fishingWinter Dec–Feb
- Bass: Spawn season and the best shot at a big fish
- Crappie: Peak season; specks school in open water and along grass
Spring Mar–May
- Bass: Late spawn and post-spawn bass
- Panfish: Bluegill and shellcracker on beds; crappie early in the season
Summer Jun–Aug
- Bass: Early-morning topwater, then deeper grass edges as it heats up
- Panfish: Bluegill are a better bet than crappie
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bass: Bass feed up as the water cools
- Crappie: Start to school as the water cools, usually by November
What fish can you catch in Clewiston?
Clewiston sits on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest freshwater lake. On a guided trip you'll mostly fish for largemouth bass and crappie, but the lake holds more than that:
- Largemouth bass: the main target, all year. The biggest fish move shallow to spawn in winter and early spring.
- Black crappie (speckled perch, or "specks"): best in the cooler months, about November to March.
- Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker): spring and summer around shallow beds and grass.
- Bowfin and catfish: often a bonus catch while fishing for bass or crappie.
Largemouth bass
Florida bassYear-round in the grass and marsh. Big fish move shallow to spawn from about December to March.
Black crappie
Speckled perchThe cool-season favorite. Specks school in the open lake and marsh from about November to March.
Bluegill
BreamSpring and summer on shallow beds. Steady action for kids.
Redear sunfish
ShellcrackerSpring around the full moons, when they bed in the shallows.
Bowfin
MudfishHard-fighting fish of the marsh and grass. Usually released.
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Where you'll fish
Open in Google Maps: Clewiston · Lake Okeechobee
Meeting point: your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Clewiston trips launch on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee.
The water: the south end of the lake, with wide grass flats, marsh and the rim canal.
Getting here: An easy drive from Fort Myers, Naples and the Palm Beach area.
Planning a fishing trip in Clewiston
Clewiston sits on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee, a shallow lake of about 730 square miles. The south end has wide grass flats and marsh that hold largemouth bass all year, and crappie school up in the cooler months.
Bass or crappie: how to choose
Choose bass for the chance at a big largemouth. Your guide fishes artificial lures or live wild shiners (optional, extra cost); shiners are often the best way to catch a big fish and give kids steady action. Choose crappie in the cooler months for steady bites on light tackle and fish to take home.
The best time of year
Lake Okeechobee fishes well all year. Winter and early spring bring the bass spawn and the best shot at a trophy, and the cooler months are crappie season. Spring is good for bluegill and shellcracker on beds. In summer, go early for topwater action before the heat and afternoon storms. Fall brings cooler water and active bass.
Where the trips go
The south-end grass flats are the main water, with eelgrass, hydrilla, reeds and lily pads. The rim canal gives protected water when the wind blows, and guides work deeper grass edges in summer.
Good to know before you book
- Bring a license. Freshwater trips don't include one. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
- Group size: bass boats are small, so ask about the guest limit when you book.
- Weather: if the guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
- Wind matters. Lake Okeechobee is big and shallow, so your guide may adjust the plan on windy days.
Clewiston fishing questions
How much does a fishing charter in Clewiston cost?
Prices depend on the trip and its length (4, 6 or 8 hours) and are shown in the booking calendar when you pick a trip.
What's included in a Lake Okeechobee fishing charter?
Your local guide provides the bass boat and fuel, rods, reels and tackle, artificial lures and life jackets. Not included: your Florida freshwater fishing license, live wild shiners (optional, extra cost), the guide tip, and food and drinks.
Bass or crappie: which trip should I book?
Bass trips target largemouth bass all year, with the best shot at a trophy in winter and spring. Crappie trips are best from about November to March; they use light tackle with jigs and minnows and are a good fit for kids and anglers who want fish for dinner.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Freshwater guides don't carry a license that covers guests, so each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. You can buy one online before the trip.
Where do trips meet?
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Clewiston trips launch on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee.
Should I use live shiners?
Live wild shiners are often the best way to catch a big bass and give kids steady action. They're optional and cost extra; ask your guide when you book.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. A 4-hour trip with live shiners, or a crappie trip, is a good fit for families.
Can I keep my fish?
Most guides release bass after photos. You may keep fish within FWC limits (black bass: 5 per day, only 1 may be 16 inches or longer; crappie: 25 per day, 10-inch minimum), and crappie are popular to keep.
What if the weather is bad?
If the guide cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.
When is the best time to fish Clewiston?
Bass fish well all year, with the best shot at a big fish in winter and early spring. Crappie are best from about November to March.
Nearby Lake Okeechobee destinations
Lake Okeechobee has launch towns all around its shore. Each one has its own guides and trips.
North shoreOkeechobee City
Grass flats, marsh and the Kissimmee River area on the north end.
Bass & crappie trips · 4, 6 or 8 hr
Northwest shoreLake Port
Grass flats, reeds and marsh on the northwest side of the lake.
Bass & crappie trips · 4, 6 or 8 hr
East shorePahokee
Grass, reeds and the rim canal on the east side of the lake.
Bass trips · 4, 6 or 8 hr
Southeast shoreBelle Glade
Marsh, grass flats and the rim canal on the southeast corner.
Bass & crappie trips · 4, 6 or 8 hr
More Florida fishing nearby: Fort Myers · Naples · Palm Beach · Fort Lauderdale