(Left) Duck hunters will find plenty of action in and around Okeechobee, and they may be able to check a few species off their life list. (Right) Large black crappies are another big draw for both local and visiting anglers. (Bottom) A number of outfitters offer hunting for gators, and huge ones can often be seen sunning themselves on the shore. (Photos courtesy of Florida Fish & Wildlife and © Steven Oehlenschlager/Dreamstime)
April 14, 2025
By Steve Wayne
Longing for a visit to a sportsman’s wonderland where fishing, hunting and all things outdoors are ingrained in the local culture? Then I submit for your consideration the town of Okeechobee, Fla., on the north end of the famous lake by the same name.
The small town of just over 5,000 residents is the gateway to numerous exciting opportunities both on the water and on land. Aside from the quantity and the size of the largemouth bass for which the “Big O” is renowned, fishing in and around the lake also yields plenty of bluegills and black crappies. In addition, the area offers superb hunting for a wide range of species, from large, toothy reptiles to waterfowl, turkeys, deer, wild hogs, small game like squirrels and rabbits, and even predators like coyotes and bobcats.
Rooted in farming and ranching, Okeechobee exudes Southern charm. Its people, many of whom come from families that have been a part of the rural community for generations, have a long history of embracing nature and enjoying the adventures it affords. Visitors seeking that rare combination of tranquility and excitement in the great outdoors—without lacking modern conveniences—are certain to find the perfect blend here, along with a taste of “old Florida.”
THE FISHING Lake Okeechobee has long been considered a premier bass destination. And though the overall number of fish has dropped some in recent years due to high water levels and the loss of submerged vegetation, many of those being caught are quite large. In fact, Matt Stevens, a freshwater fisheries biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), says that 8- to 10-pound bass are becoming increasingly common.
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“You usually have to keep moving to find the bite, but once you do, you have a chance of tallying 35 pounds with your best five largemouths,” says Stevens, who recommends concentrating efforts in the Buckhead Ridge, South Bay, Worm Cove and Moonshine Bay/Moore Haven Marsh areas.
Fishing plastic worms, swim jigs, spinnerbaits and topwater frogs, or flipping thick vegetation with craws and creature baits are all effective techniques that consistently yield heavy limits for tournament anglers on the Big O. Recreational anglers have the chance to replicate that feat practically year-round.
Crappie fishing in Lake Okeechobee has been on fire the past few years. At more than two fish caught per hour, the average harvest numbers rank among the highest in the Sunshine State. Crappies, known locally as speckled perch, in the 1- to 2-pound range are quite common, and 3-pound kickers are not all that rare. A live minnow or a 1/16-ounce crappie jig suspended beneath a float is all it takes to garner a mess of the tasty panfish, especially if you target inflow areas around the lake. The mouth of the Kissimmee River, Indian Prairie Canal, Harney Pond Canal and the Rim Canal between Clewiston and Torry Island are prime examples. By the way, night fishing for crappies has become very popular, and getting in on the action is as easy as looking for flotillas of fishing boats and joining the crowd. Most use lights to attract the forage crappies seek, and in turn the fish, so they won’t be hard to spot in the dark.
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Other species of fish can be caught with regularity. Mayan cichlids, among the exotics thriving in South Florida’s freshwaters, have expanded their range to now include the Big O. Mayans will hit just about any type of live or artificial bait and put up an excellent fight. They are also great eating and aren’t subject to any size or bag limits.
Speaking of exotic species, there have been consistent reports of clown knifefish in the Pahokee and Port Mayaca areas on the east side of the lake, as well as in the dynamite holes along the Rim Canal. Clown knifefish can exceed 3 feet in length, are spirited acrobats and prefer bottom-bumping baits such as jigs and small, weighted swimbaits. With all the high water in recent years, the Moore Haven lock has stayed open for long periods. As a result, saltwater gamefish like snook and tarpon have come into the lake and are now caught with some frequency.
“We see snook practically everywhere,” says Stevens. “We’ve even seen 60- to 80-pound tarpon rolling, too.”
Sought-after Osceola turkeys are readily available to visiting gobbler chasers. (Shutterstock photo) THE HUNTING Okeechobee’s hunting opportunities are vast and varied. You could try an alligator hunt for a Jurassic experience. Gator hunters here kill some giants; however, hunting these modern-day dinosaurs requires knowhow and comes with some risks. In addition, quota hunt permits are becoming harder to get due to the increased popularity. So, consider hiring a guide who offers gator hunts on a nearby private wetland. While waterfowl hunting in the area remains excellent, many birds have been favoring surrounding agricultural lands over the lake in recent years due to the loss of aquatic vegetation. To ensure a successful duck hunt, you could track down the owners of private properties and ask for permission to hunt, or simply go with an outfitter that already has access.
Whitetail deer, wild hogs and Osceola turkeys are all popular targets in the region, and can be hunted on both private tracts and public lands, including several nearby wildlife management areas managed by FWC.
Fisheating Creek WMA’s 18,274 acres stretch along Lake Okeechobee’s western end . This popular public land requires a quota hunting permit (visit myfwc.com to apply) to limit the total number of hunters and game harvested in this area. Located along the Kissimmee River north of Okeechobee, 30,864-acre Kissimmee River WMA does not require quota hunt permits. It offers several popular walk-in areas, as well as boat access to a larger portion of the WMA.
About 35 miles southeast of town, J.W. Corbett WMA’s pine flatwoods, cypress swamps and hardwood hammocks also offer excellent hunting opportunities without requiring a quota permit. There’s bass fishing in the marshes, too, and catfish, bluegills, sunfish and more in various ponds near the campsites.
A number of ranches and outfitters around Okeechobee offer hunting for exotic big-game species like axis deer, blackbuck antelope, fallow deer, red stag, water buck and bison on private lands. Many also offer upland bird and waterfowl hunts, targeting quail and pheasants, as well as various types of puddle and diving ducks.
Deer can be found on several nearby WMAs. (Shutterstock photo) THE BOWFISHING Large tilapia and plecostomus (aka “plecos”) are found throughout Lake Okeechobee and surrounding waters, and a great way to harvest these invasive species is by bowfishing.
Bowfishing can be done both during the day and at night; many sportsmen prefer the cooler and quieter evening hours when the targeted fish can be pinpointed with a spotlight. If you are new to the sport, there’s no shortage of guides available who are happy to provide all the necessary equipment.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS Okeechobee is also host to a number of family-friendly events, including arts-and-crafts and music festivals and rodeos, where you’ll see skilled riders attempt to best bucking broncos and some of the meanest bulls around. The big Cow Town Rodeo (okeechobee
cattlemens.com) is an annual tradition held the second weekend in March.
For a little cardio and great views, hop on a bike or lace up your hiking shoes and do part (or all) of the 110-mile scenic trail atop the Herbert Hoover dike encircling the big lake. You’ll be glad to know that more than half is paved.
THE FLAVORS OF OKEECHOBEE There’s no shortage of good grub to enjoy during your visit. Lake Okeechobee map With the great beef, dairy and vegetables in the area, you should certainly plan on sampling some of Okeechobee’s eateries. Start with breakfast at Pogey’s Restaurant (pogeysrestaurant.com ) on South Parrot Avenue, a favorite of anglers and hunters that opens at 5:00 a.m.
If a little spice is nice for lunch, consider Los Cocos (eatloscocos.com ), a family-owned establishment that first opened in 1982 and has since been treating patrons to delicious, authentic Mexican dishes and spin-offs like their Big Lake Burritos. Just keep in mind that it’s closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For dinner, you can’t go wrong with The Speckled Perch, a steakhouse right on U.S. Highway 98 North. It has been serving prime cuts of beef since 1958. Be sure to leave room for dessert and order a piece of the Orange Sunshine cake.
Should you wish to try alligator, are in the mood for seafood or desire a place that will cook your catch, head to Lightsey’s Seafood Restaurant and Fish Co. (lightseysrestaurant.toast.site ). They claim that if it swims, crawls or hops, they probably serve it. Need we say more?
As for lodging, the Hampton Inn and the Days Inn and Suites (formerly Motel Pier II) are both boater-friendly hotels in town. For additional travel and lodging details, as well as a schedule of events and a list of outfitters and guides, go to visitokeechobeecounty.com . For hunting and fishing info and regulations visit myfwc.com .
This article was featured in the March 2025 issue of Game & Fit magazine. Click to subscribe .
