Okeechobee City fishing charters
Okeechobee fishing charters for bass and crappie on the north end of Lake Okeechobee.
Book a local guide for largemouth bass or crappie from Okeechobee City, on the north 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: Okeechobee City bass fishing · Okeechobee City crappie 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 Okeechobee fishing charters can you book?
iOutdoors books guided largemouth bass, crappie and pontoon boat trips from Okeechobee City, on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee, in 4, 6 or 8 hours, with live online booking. Bass and crappie trips start at $350 and pontoon trips at $500. 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, 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)
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593.
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 Okeechobee City trips
5.0939 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
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
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
What's biting by season in Okeechobee City
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 are in Lake Okeechobee?
Lake Okeechobee is Florida's largest freshwater lake and one of the best-known bass lakes in the country. These are the fish you can catch on a Lake Okeechobee fishing charter from Okeechobee City:
- 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.
Lake Okeechobee is also one of the most popular places for crappie fishing in Florida, and the north shore around Okeechobee City is a favorite in winter.
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: Okeechobee City · Lake Okeechobee
Meeting point: your guide confirms the boat ramp and start time with you before the trip. Okeechobee City trips launch on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee.
The water: the north end of the lake, with grass flats, marsh and the mouth of the Kissimmee River.
Getting here: Okeechobee City is inland, between Florida's Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast.
Planning a fishing trip in Okeechobee City
Okeechobee City is the largest town on Lake Okeechobee, a shallow lake of about 730 square miles. The lake's grass, reeds and marsh hold largemouth bass all year, and crappie school up in the cooler months. A guided trip is the easiest way to fish a lake this big.
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 north end of the lake has grass flats, marsh and the mouth of the Kissimmee River. Guides also use the rim canal and deeper grass edges when the wind blows or the shallows get hot.
Where to stay and what’s nearby
Trips launch on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee, a few minutes from town. Your captain or guide confirms the exact meeting spot before the trip.
- Bass and crappie trips: Hampton Inn Okeechobee - Lake Okeechobee and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Okeechobee are in town; Lakeshore Resort & Marina sits on US-441 near the lake.
Getting here: Palm Beach International (PBI) and Orlando International (MCO) are the closest major airports.
Off the water: Walk or bike the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail on top of the dike for views across the lake.
Hotels are listed for convenience; iOutdoors isn’t affiliated with them.
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.
Okeechobee City fishing questions
How much does a fishing charter in Okeechobee City cost?
Bass and crappie trips start at $350 and pontoon boat trips at $500. The price for each trip length (4, 6 or 8 hours) is 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. Okeechobee City trips launch on the north 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 Okeechobee City?
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.
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 at public access points or book a guided trip.
What kind of fish are in Lake Okeechobee?
The main fish are largemouth bass and black crappie (specks). The lake also holds bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), bowfin and catfish.
Nearby Lake Okeechobee destinations
Lake Okeechobee has launch towns all around its shore. Each one has its own guides and trips.
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
Southwest shoreClewiston
Wide grass flats, marsh and the rim canal on the south end.
Bass & crappie trips · 4, 6 or 8 hr
More Florida fishing nearby: Fort Pierce · Jupiter · Orlando · Central Florida · Sarasota