The second largest body of freshwater in the United States is Lake Okeechobee Florida. Okeechobee is a Seminole Indian name and is derived from the Seminole word "Oki" meaning water.9ft is the average shallow depth of Lake Okeechobee. The lake is part of the Florida everglade region which is a vast region of fantastic freshwater fishing for multiple species of fish. The lake supports commercial and sport fishing and is worldly renowned as a excellent fishing lake.

Lake Okeechobee is nationally recognized for its large mouth bass and black crappie fishing. If your looking to catfishing this lake is also the place to go.If you are fishing for large mouth bass try flipping jigs and plastic worms in heavy cover, and spoons and spinner baits in the grass flats.use Use Golden shiners for live bait for bass. The best areas will around the rim canals.

If you are fishing for specs, or crappie fish the pilings under the highway 78 bridge, and fish the near the edges of the canal shoreline in deeper water. Only fish the Kissimmee river when the river is flowing steady. Use Jigs ,or fish live shiners near vegetation stands. Fishing late in the day or early in the morning are the best times to fish. To locate the schools of black crappie suspend minnows at various depths,then once you find the crappie use standard jigging techniques.Lake Okeechobee crappie or specs are constantly on the move feeding so you will have to move often to find the schools.

The best place to fish for Okeechobee bluegill or bream is the rim of the canals leading into the Kissimmee river. The best baits to use for lake Okeechobee Bluegill or Bream are Beetle spins, and crickets for live bait.

The following 12 areas around Lake Okeechobee are know to hold good populations of largemouth Bass, black crappie, or specs, and other panfish and catfish.If you want to get another perspective of the 12 areas we have listed you can visit the Florida Fish and wildlife conservation commission web page and click on Interactive maps.

Area #1 South Henry Creek Flats The flats from the boat lock at Henry Creek south to Chancey Bay holds an excellent bass population located in the plentiful vegetation. Bulrush, grass and hydrilla grow on a shoal surrounded by sand, about 3/4 mile southwest of the levee.The largemouth bass spawn where the shoal tapers to a small reef. Fish the outside edges of vegetation with live shiners, topwater plugs and plastic worms. Toss weedless spoons behind the weedline. During summer, cast vibrating plugs and shallow-running crankbaits over the reef for schooling bass.

Area #2 Nubbin SloughBass are caught year-round at Nubblin Slough. Look for the small rock piles and islands surrounded by maidencane at the mouth of the slough,this is where the bass will be. Toss a spinnerbait, Jerkin' Sam or Rat-L-Trap around these structures during fall. In spring, position the boat on the inside of the vegetation along the boat run that has a sand/shell bottom. Cast a plastic worm, Lunker Lure or spinnerbait. During summer, fish plastic worms in the bulrushes and pencil reeds.

Behind Eagle Bay Island Area #3This area behind Eagle Bay Island near the Government Cut provides great action for all species of panfish. Tannic stained water makes it difficult to see bluegill beds, so drift until fish are located.

Eagle Bay Area #4 The best time to catch large mouth bass at Eagle Bay is when the lake is at it's fullest point, which would be January through April. It's good year-round because the water is about two feet deeper than the surrounding area. Summer bass hold here because of the depth and vast hydrilla growth. Try plastic worms and lizards in spring, and switch to topwater plugs, buzzbaits and spoons in summer. Bass move to the outside edge in fall, and topwater lures, vibrating plugs and spinnerbaits are effective.

Area #5 Cast topwater plugs early and late in the day during summer.For spring large mouth bass holding on the peppergrass in this shallow areas, cast plastic worms and spinnerbaits.

North Of North Lake Shoal (Kings Bar)Area #6In the Bulrushes, and cattails of lake Okeechobee's Kings Bar area you can catch some good size bluegill. The panfish bed on scattered rocky patches within the vegetation and are easily caught on worms and crickets. Move east about one mile and drift the open water for winter crappie.

Lake Shoal (Kings Bar) Area #7 North Lake Shoal (Kings Bar) is a large weedy island with a variety of vegetation, including lily pads, hydrilla, eel grass, maidencane and bulrush. Bass are caught year-round on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. This is a great area for flippin'. Trophy bass often lurk in the maidencane growing inside scattered bulrushes.

Area #8 Tin House Cove For Lake Okeechobee Take spring spawning bass on lizards and plastic worms in Tin House Cove. In summer, the largemouth move out to deeper water. The peppergrass holds bass year-round, and schooling largemouth also chase threadfin shad on the outside weed edge. Cast vibrating plugs, spinnerbaits and topwater lures for these active fish.

Area #9 From Indian Prairie Canal North To The South End Of Tin House Co. For Lake Okeechobee The wide area on the backside of the emergent vegetation, from Indian Prairie Canal north to the south end of Tin House Cove, yields numerous bass. During spawning season, if water is high, a secondary area behind the cattails in the grassy flats offers good fishing all the way to the levee.

Area #10 Indian Prairie Canal South To Horse IslandA mixture of peppergrass and reeds extends from Indian Prairie Canal south to Horse Island. Live shiners fished on the points of dense vegetation are recommended for bass. Toss surface plugs and weedless spoons in the sparser cover. The bottom is about three feet deep, and consists of sand and scattered flat-top rock. Behind this area, throw spoons and top water lures for spring bass in the mixture of maidencane and bulrushes. A boat trail behind it can be worked in windy conditions. Horse Island and Worm Cove are also good places to fish plastic worms.

Area #11 From Dyess Ditch To The Southern Point Of Horse Island For Lake Okeechobee This sandy area from Dyess Ditch to the southern point of Horse Island is one of the top spring bass spots on the lake.This area, known as North Shore, has a peppergrass flat more than 1/2 mile wide. Trophy bass hold along the outside edge of grass on the west side of the bay. Live bait, plastic worms, surface lures, vibrating plugs and spoons produce year-round. Sparse hydrilla patches mixed with maidencane, reeds and pads are used by spawning bass between December and March. This protected area is particularly good when the lake is rough. In summer, bass stay near open water and will move into the shallows as the water cools.

Dyess Ditch to the Harney Pond Canal For Lake Okeechobee Area #12 The area between the 2 beacon lights along the sandy bottom from Dyess Ditch To Harney Pond Canal holds large mouth bass year round. The stained water from Fisheating Creek is filtered by dense vegetation, resulting in relatively clear water. Spring bass will spawn where there are holes in the hydrilla. Spinnerbaits, topwater plugs and weedless spoons take bass around the hydrilla and peppergrass beds.

Well I hope the 12 areas identified in this Florida lake Okeechobee Fishing Report will help on you plan your next freshwater fishing trip to Florida. Lets Go Fish'in!

Mark Fleagle is a serious fishing owner. Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and "how to articles at his websites. Lake Okeechobee FloridaVisit my website oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed"

North Carolina Saltwater and Freshwater Fisheries Amazing! For example, if you are fishing for North Carolina's native brook trout in a cold mountain stream,The State of North Carolina lunker largemouth bass, Trophy striped bass in a river, Flounder at At Federal Point/ New Hanover County, or if you just want to take your family fishing, the diversity of fishing either freshwater or saltwater in North Carolina is a great opportunity for everyone.

In all fishing areas in the State of North Carolina there are PFA,s. These are public fishing areas The State of North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission has desginated to make fishing a reality for all fisherman. All the PFA'S in the State of North Carolina are free to fish.The North Carolina commission has done a great job.The commission has cleared the banks in these area's of underbrush along the banks so that more shoreline is available. They have constructed universally accessible fishing piers, and created graveled parking areas. To make your North Carolina fishing experience fun and productive they have even went as far as installing fish attractors and baiting areas in these designated North Carolina free fishing PFA areas.

The Mountain,Costal an Piedmont regions are regulated by the North Carolina fishing Wildlife Commission.There are rivers,streams,lakes, and the intracoastal waterway in these areas. Many of the known Fish Species, and sporting freshwater and saltwater fish can be found in these areas.

In the North Carolina fishing Mountain Region's river and streams you can fish for the following species: Trout, Largemouth bass, Small Mouth bass, Striped bass,Catfish,Sunfish, Breasted sunfish. In the North Carolina Mountion Lakes Region: Trout, Black bass, Smallmouth bass, Spotted bass, Striped bass, Catfish, Sunfish, Breasted Sunfish. Yellow perch,Walleye,White bass,Crappie, and Rock bass.

The North Carolina Piedmont region has a varity of speices you can fish for in the areas lakes,rivers and streams they include: Largemouth bass, Small Mouth bass, Spotted bass, Striped bass, Roanoke bass, Catfish, Redbreast sunfish, Sunfish, Yellow perch, White perch, Chain Pickerel, White bass, Crappie, American shad, and rock bass. At Federal Point/ New Hanover County a North Carolina saltwater fishing area, you can catch Flounder, Spot, Croaker, and Red drum.

The Coastal Region Sound Intracoastal Waterway Saltwater fishing of North Carolina Offers the following Fish Species: Striped bass, Spotted Sea trout, Weakfish, Flounder, Red drum, Bluefish, Spot, Croaker, and Speckled trout.

North Carolina's freshwater costal region's rivers and streams offer some excellent angling for the following species of fish: Largemouth bass, Striped bass, Crappie, White perch, Yellow perch, Catfish, Sunfish, American shad, Spotted bass.

In the North Carolina fishing Freshwater Coastal Region's Lakes you can fish for the following species: black bass, Striped bass, Crappie, White perch, Yellow perch, Catfish, Sunfish, Warmouth, American shad, Spotted bass, Pickerel, Blue crabs.

Well Folks you are set to plan your next trip to North Carolina For a relaxing,fun family fishing trip, Good Luck!

Mark Fleagle Owner A well respected fishing specialist with 30+ years of fishing experience,who has written many fishing articles. Mark has been a online presence for fishing information for going on 4 years. Visit my blog and get your Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing information in North Carolina Wow! Fishing report for north carolina Also visit my website oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed".

Beginning fishermen can learn a lot by talking to a pro bass fishing expert. They are a good source of information about the sport of bass fishing, as it has the mistaken reputation of being a hard sport to master. It is not. Skills can be learned on the shore of a river or a lake, and then taken out into a boat for some real adventurous fishing.

Fishing tackle is an indispensable part of fishing gear to any bass fishing professional and can determine the success or failure of the fishing trip. With plenty of bass fishing experience under their belts, professional bass anglers know precisely what terminal tackle they'll need, either for freshwater or salt water bass fishing, before leaving shore. For example, if they're looking for smallmouth bass or largemouth bass, then they'll use the appropriate lures, and the right 'wet' or 'dry' flies.

Among other essential items are swivels, a small metal unit that can prevent twisting or snapping of the line caused by rotating flies, or a strong tug by a large bass. Leaders are used to prevent damage, or cutting the line on fish teeth or rocks. Flies are small insect-like artificial bait, of various colors and form that attract bass.

They will also take the weather conditions into account. Before leaving on the boat, professional bass enthusiasts make it a point to study weather conditions, via forecasts and bulletins, as well as the timings of high and low tides, etc. Only if such conditions are favorable, will they venture out.

If you need more information about bass fishing, then you can look online, watch special television programs or read magazines devoted to pro bass fishing. In all of these types of media, professional bass fishermen will show you tips and tricks on how to successfully catch bass. They will tell you what kind of fishing tackle you will need, including reels, line, rods, leaders, swivels, lures and flies. They will also help you to learn to watch the weather and know what kind of weather is most conducive to bass fishing.

If you feel you've got what it takes to become a pro bass fishing expert, then go ahead and purchase all the items you'll need. You don't need to invest in a boat right away; rent one to start. Or, you could join a bass fishing club. It'll be a good learning experience for you. Make sure to pack a lot of patience, passion and optimism, as you'll need lots of these things too.

If you want to fish for bass or trout, then fly fishing is a great way to go. It is also a great reason to get outdoors and get some fresh air. There are several places in the United States that are considered hot spots. Where you go depends on what you want catch. Wherever you go, research it first and make sure you will be able to catch what you want. You might even find a place close to home.

Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and striped bass can be caught with a fly fishing rod. Some of them can be challenging, especially because they are a fairly aggressive fish that are large in size. As a matter of fact, many fishermen will tell you that their feisty nature is one of the main reasons why they like bass fishing in the first place. The thrill of the challenge and the reward that comes with the catch can make all of your preparations very worthwhile.

It is important to have a fly fishing rod that can hold up to the stress that an aggressive bass can put on it. Once you have the bass hooked, you will be putting enormous amounts of pressure on the rod. If it cannot handle with weight of the fish, then you could break the rod and into the water it will go. You should always do some research before you purchase a rod to be sure you are getting a good quality product. Another good idea is to go to the local tackle store and try one out. This will help you to be sure that the rod fits you and you are comfortable with it.

After you choose the fly rod that suits your comfort level, also consult with the people at your local fishing tackle shop to make sure that you get the best flies to go along with the size of bass that you will be fishing for. There are even a number of flies that can be used in fly fishing that will help you with smallmouth bass fishing, largemouth bass fishing and striped bass fishing. Asking the expert at the store will ensure that you have everything you need before you head out.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries program was started in 1875. The Fisheries program is made up of two sectors, the National Fish Hatchery System and the Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Program. The main responsibility of the Fisheries program is to restore the population of endangered fish species to a healthy level. Included in this is their responsibility to educate the public on how to aid in their conservation. They also help to ensure that there will be continuing opportunities for the avid, American fisherman.

The Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance program of the Fish and Wildlife Service has many responsibilities. Their main function is as a planning service. They are responsible for developing a plan to help restore the populations of endangered species of fish. They also monitor the status of stock fish and work on preventing the invasion of a species of a fish that will prey on other species in an unhealthy way. When repopulating occurs, the Management Assistance program monitors the effectiveness of the actions. Their final responsibility is to educate the public about conservation practices.

The National Fish Hatchery program has multi-functional responsibilities. They use hatcheries to breed fish that have no genetic defects and then place them into the wild to repopulate in areas that are depleted. The hatchery workers do research to identify and try to prevent disease that may be affecting fish and aquatic wildlife. In addition to all of this, they also provide refuge habitats to fish that have become an endangered species, as an attempt to allow them time to breed for the purpose of repopulating.

The Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Hatchery program ensures the survival of game fish by monitoring and maintaining their populations. They do this by forcing compliance with limits imposes by both the state and federal governments. The purpose in doing this is to ensure that game fish such as the largemouth bass and the smallmouth bass do not get into a state that could border on endangerment. Fishing is not only a great source of both food and fun, but it is also a major part of the economy in areas where there are large bodies of water or large rivers. Any upset in the population of a local game fish, could have very negative repercussions on the local economy.