History of Lake Okeechobee

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.

The lake is approximately 37 miles long by 30 miles wide. over 730 square miles with an average depth of only 10 feet. 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.

In 1926 and 1928, hurricane waters destroyed the dikes on the lake’s southern edge which resulted in thousands of deaths. Canals and levees were built and Lake Okeechobee waterway was developed for use as a reservoir. Today, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District direct the waters via dikes, canals and floodgates in order to protect against flooding, to prevent saltwater intrusion, and to provide water for agricultural irrigation and drinking water supplies to large urban areas in South Florida. These water management activities have greatly encumbered the water flow from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades. Instead of alternating wet and dry seasons, which provided steady sheets of water, the Everglades now receive times of drought or powerful discharges of water.

Okeechobee well known not only throughout the U.S. but the whole world. K&A Charters has clients who come from all over the world, including Japan and Europe, just to fish on lake Okeechobee.

Lake Okeechobee offers all types of waterway structures to fish - from open water to narrow canals surrounded by hundreds of different vegetations and grasses.

We have put together directions, including distance in miles, where you can find your easiest route to Lake Okeechobee Florida, Everglades and Miami Lakes. Click here for directions and ramp locations.