Lake Okeechobee Fishing Charters
Guided bass and crappie trips from every town on Florida's largest lake.
Book guided fishing on Lake Okeechobee from Okeechobee City, Lake Port, Clewiston, Belle Glade or Pahokee. Fish grass flats, marsh and open water for largemouth bass all year and for crappie (speckled perch) in the cooler months. Trips book online with live dates.
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Book your Lake Okeechobee fishing trips today.
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1. What sounds fun? Optional
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2. Your options
Where do you launch from? How longPick a trip to see your options and the live calendar.
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm. Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip.
What fishing trips can you book on Lake Okeechobee?
iOutdoors books guided bass trips from Okeechobee City, Lake Port, Clewiston, Belle Glade and Pahokee, crappie trips from Okeechobee City, Lake Port, Clewiston and Belle Glade, and pontoon trips from Okeechobee City. Bass and crappie trips run 4, 6 or 8 hours from $350, with live dates online. The guide provides the 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 and fuel
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Artificial lures
- Life jackets
- Florida freshwater fishing license (required for most anglers 16 and older)
- Live wild shiners (optional; ask your guide about the cost)
- Guide tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to the boat ramp
What to bring
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is one big lake with five launch towns around it: Okeechobee City, Lake Port, Clewiston, Belle Glade and Pahokee. Your guide picks the water based on the season and the wind. Pick a town below to book from it.
Fish you can catch on Lake Okeechobee
Know your fish →
Largemouth bassLearn more
Black crappieLearn more
BluegillLearn more
Redear sunfishLearn more
BowfinLearn moreSize limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC freshwater fishing regulations.
Launch towns around the lake
Each town has its own boat ramps and guides. Book a trip from the town closest to you, or learn more about it.
North shoreOkeechobee City
Grass flats and marsh on the north end, near where the Kissimmee River enters the lake.
Southeast shoreBelle Glade
The southeast corner of the lake and the canals around Belle Glade.
Reviews from Lake Okeechobee trips
4.9615 reviews
Had a great time with Capt. Cody! He was very knowledgeable about the area and went above and beyond for us. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to catch fish and have a great day on the water!
Brittany Ziobro · October 2026 · Google
Captain Paul is great! He made sure we had a really good time. Hope to see you again soon.Nancy, Jon and David
Nancy Pulling · October 2026 · Google
Great day with Captain Justin on his 19’ Nitro / 200 Yamaha. He put us on bigmouth bass, bluegill, and crappie, and he knows the fish, alligators, manatees, and Florida birds as well as he knows the water. Capable boat, knowledgeable captain — we’d go again.
Larry Franz · October 2026 · Google
Cody was our guide. We absolutely loved Captain Coby. He put on some monster fish and we had a blast. Awesome gyude service. Awesome Guide
tommy pomeroy · October 2026 · Google
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
Always enjoy coming out to fish Headwaters with Captain Paul! I’ll be back!
Jim Amsler · October 2026 · Google
Camem was great! Knowledgeable and friendly!
Cindy Miller · October 2026 · Google
Great experience! Amazing view! So many crocodiles. Paul was outstanding with his service! Thank you
Nadezhda Cregg · September 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
Another great day out on the “big O” with Mark. It’s like fishing with a friend he is an outstanding patient teacher and for a beginner like me it’s been the best thing to help me improve. Looking forward to booking a number of trips this winter.
John Tanzilli · September 2026 · Google
Did a group trip with 5 guides and all were exceptional. Great communication and a fun time
Jim Holtmann · September 2026 · Google
My son and I went out with Captain Paul and had a great morning fishing. Will definitely hire him again.
John McDonald · September 2026 · Google
Lake Okeechobee fishing: what you can catch
Lake Okeechobee fishing charters are mostly about largemouth bass, which live in the grass flats, marsh and open water all the way around the lake. Black crappie, called speckled perch or specks, are the cool-season target from about November to March. Bluegill and shellcracker bed in the shallows in spring and summer, and bowfin and catfish are a common bonus. Winter and early spring bring the bass spawn and the best shot at a big fish; in summer, the early-morning bite is best.
What's biting by season on Lake Okeechobee
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
- Every angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. Buy it online before the trip.
- Black bass: 5 per person per day, and only 1 may be 16" or longer.
- Crappie: 25 per person per day, 10" minimum.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your guide has the current rules.
Lake Okeechobee fishing guide
Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest freshwater lake, ringed by the Herbert Hoover Dike, with towns on every side. Its grass flats and marsh hold largemouth bass all year, and in winter it's one of the best-known places in Florida for crappie.
Which town to launch from
Okeechobee City and Lake Port are on the north end of the lake, Pahokee on the east shore, Belle Glade on the southeast corner and Clewiston on the south end. They all fish the same lake, so pick the one closest to where you're staying. Your guide confirms the boat ramp before the trip.
How the trips work
Bass trips run from a bass boat with a trolling motor. Your guide provides rods, reels and artificial lures, and can set you up with live wild shiners, which are often the best way to catch a big bass. Shiners are optional and cost extra; ask your guide when you book. Crappie trips use light tackle with jigs and minnows. Most bass are photographed and released.
Best time to go
Bass fishing is good all year. Winter and early spring bring the spawn and the best shot at a big fish. Crappie are best from about November to March. In summer, go early for topwater action before the heat and afternoon storms.
Tips for planning your trip
- Get your license first. Buy a Florida freshwater fishing license online before the trip and bring it with you.
- Morning trips usually fish best, especially in summer.
- Book crappie in the cooler months. November to March is the season.
Questions about Lake Okeechobee fishing trips
How much does a Lake Okeechobee fishing charter cost?
Bass and crappie trips start from $350 for 4 hours, from any town on the lake. Longer trips cost more. The live calendar shows the price for each trip length and date.
What is included?
Your guide, the bass boat and fuel, rods, reels and tackle, artificial lures and life jackets. The Florida freshwater license, live shiners and the guide's tip are not included.
Which trip should I book?
Pick bass, crappie or a pontoon trip first. 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 and suit kids and anglers who want fish for dinner. Pontoon trips run from Okeechobee City. For bass or crappie, pick the town closest to where you are staying: Okeechobee City and Lake Port on the north end, Pahokee and Belle Glade on the east side, Clewiston on the south end.
How many people can come?
Bass boats usually take 2 to 3 anglers. Choose your number of guests in the calendar. For a bigger group, call (407) 392-4593.
Where do trips meet?
Your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Trips launch from the town you book: Okeechobee City, Lake Port, Clewiston, Belle Glade or Pahokee.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt. You can buy one online before the trip.
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.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. A 4-hour trip is a good fit for families. Crappie trips in the cooler months and live shiners for bass usually mean steady action.
Can you fish in Lake Okeechobee?
Yes. Lake Okeechobee is open to public fishing all year. Each angler 16 or older needs a Florida freshwater fishing license unless exempt, and FWC bag and size limits apply. You can fish from shore or book a guided boat trip.
Can you fish from shore on Lake Okeechobee?
Yes. Many anglers fish from the bank at public access points around the lake, including along the rim canal. A guided boat trip reaches the grass beds and open water where bigger bass and crappie schools hold.
What fish are in Lake Okeechobee?
The main fish are largemouth bass and black crappie, which locals call speckled perch or specks. The lake also holds bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), bowfin and catfish.
Nearby lakes
More lakes with guided bass trips near Lake Okeechobee and Vero Beach.
