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Natural Freshwater•Florida Lakes•Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee County

Lake Okeechobee, Florida: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake Okeechobee featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
467,200 acres
1890.7 km²
Max Depth
12 feet
3.7 m
Elevation
15 feet
5 m ASL
Shoreline
135 miles
217 km
Coordinates
26.967°, -80.833°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-11
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake Okeechobee Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
14.65 ft
Normal Full Pool: 15.00 ft
Normal Conservation Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-0.35 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity94.9% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 15.00 ft
24h Change: +0.10 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 3,990,355 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
12,697 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
8,503 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
84°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
8.8 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +4,194 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is rising at 0.1 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Optimal
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
ENE 60°
8 mph
Gusts: 20 mph
Blowing from ENE (60°) at 8 mph
Surface Wave Conditions0.8 ft wave height
Calm (< 0.5 ft)
Moderate Surface Ripple
Barometer
29.98 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Slow Bite
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 8 mph ENE
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake Okeechobee.
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Interactive Map of Lake Okeechobee

26.9667° N, 80.8333° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 26.9667° N, -80.8333° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake Okeechobee?

Lake Okeechobee is located in Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee County in the state of Florida, at geographical coordinates 26.9667° North latitude and 80.8333° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 15 feet (5 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Okeechobee
2 miles away
Clewiston
3 miles away
Belle Glade
4 miles away
West Palm Beach
40 miles away

About Lake Okeechobee

Sun setting over the vast reed marshes and open water of Lake Okeechobee Florida
Natural Freshwater • Shallow Limestone Basin LakeVerified 2026-03-11

Lake Okeechobee, locally nicknamed "The Big O," is the second-largest natural freshwater lake contained entirely within the contiguous 48 states, spanning roughly 730 square miles. Encircled by the 143-mile Herbert Hoover Dike built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Okeechobee forms the liquid heart of South Florida's ecosystem and is renowned for trophy largemouth bass fishing in vast marsh reed beds.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake Okeechobee is categorized as a Shallow Limestone Basin Lake. Its designated primary authorized uses include Everglades Watershed, Flood Protection (Herbert Hoover Dike), Agricultural Irrigation, Sport Fishing.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake Okeechobee is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Largemouth BassBlack Crappie (Speckled Perch)BluegillRedear SunfishFlorida Gar
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Trophy Bass FishingAirboatingBirdwatchingCycling the Lake Okeechobee Scenic TrailDuck Hunting

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (3)

  • •Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina
  • •Clewiston Marina
  • •Okeechobee Fishing Resort

Public Boat Launches (4)

  • •C. Scott Driver Recreation Area Ramp
  • •Okee-Tantie Boat Ramp
  • •Clewiston Boat Ramp
  • •Belle Glade Marina Ramp

Parks & Recreation (3)

  • •Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)
  • •Pahokee State Park
  • •Fisheating Creek Outpost

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake Okeechobee

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake Okeechobee Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area467,200 acres1890.7 km²
Maximum Depth12 feet3.7 meters
Average Depth9 feet2.7 meters
Water Surface Elevation15 feet above sea level5 meters
Shoreline Length135 miles217 km
Lake ClassificationNatural Freshwater (Shallow Limestone Basin Lake)
GPS Coordinates26.9667° N, 80.8333° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Okeechobee

8 verified answers
How large is Lake Okeechobee?+
Lake Okeechobee covers approximately 467,200 surface acres (730 square miles) with an average depth of only 9 feet.
What is the Herbert Hoover Dike?+
The Herbert Hoover Dike is a massive 143-mile earthen levee surrounding Lake Okeechobee, engineered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect surrounding communities from catastrophic hurricane storm surges.
How deep is Lake Okeechobee in Florida?+
Lake Okeechobee reaches a verified maximum depth of 12 feet (4 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 9 feet (3 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical natural freshwater bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake Okeechobee?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake Okeechobee covers approximately 467,200 surface acres (about 730.0 square miles or 1890.7 km²) at an elevation of 15 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 135 miles (217 km) throughout Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Lake Okeechobee?+
Anglers on Lake Okeechobee target Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie (Speckled Perch), Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Florida Gar. Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Lake Okeechobee and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake Okeechobee. Public boat launch facilities include C. Scott Driver Recreation Area Ramp, Okee-Tantie Boat Ramp, Clewiston Boat Ramp. Full-service marinas including Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina and Clewiston Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake Okeechobee and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake Okeechobee is managed and monitored in coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jacksonville District) & South Florida Water Management District. Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST), Pahokee State Park, Fisheating Creek Outpost. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake Okeechobee come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake Okeechobee are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jacksonville District) & South Florida Water Management District and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-11. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jacksonville District) & South Florida Water Management District
Last verified: 2026-03-11 • Record ID: lake-okeechobee-fl
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