Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake
entirely within one state and is considered the 'Mother of the Everglades.'
Millions of largemouth bass inhabit this huge lake and are caught year-round.
Featured Species: Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie (Speckled Perch), Bluegill,
Redear (Shellcracker) and Catfish
The Seminole Indian name Okeechobee, actually means "Big Water". An appropriate
name for the largest fresh water lake in the United States occurring entirely
in one state. The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission states,
"there is no place that can compare with Lake Okeechobee, not only for
lunker bass, history and wildlife, but its size. It is 730 square mile,
relatively shallow lake with an average depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters).
It is the second-largest freshwater lake in the continental United States,
second only to Lake Michigan.
To fishermen nationwide, it's renowned for the number of bass it contains
per acre and that it also produces more bass over 7 pounds than any lake
in Florida and the United States. Lake Okeechobee is located in central
southern Florida, north of the Everglades and south of Orlando. Lake Okeechobee
links the
Atlantic
and Gulf sides of Florida via the Port Mayaca Lock on the east side of
the lake and the Moore Haven Lock on the lake's western side. Drainage
canals lower the lake and drain adjacent lands for farming. Agricultural
activities around the Lake Okeechobee area include cattle ranching, dairy
farming, and crop production of sugarcane, winter vegetables, citrus,
sod, sweet corn and rice.
Some Valuable Florida Fishing and Fishing Map Links
---- NCFishandGame.com links and info ----