Okeeheelee Park
Peacock is a pass today: the sky is mostly cloudy, the wind is blowing 20 mph, and the rain-stained water is hurting the sight-feeding peacock more than anything else on this lake. Largemouth can still work because they hunt by lateral line, so target the calm side of the lake where the wind pushes bait and debris, and fish a chatterbait or spinnerbait slow. Keep the first light morning push on the bite and don't stay long once the wind builds past midday.
Today’s conditions
By species today
7-day outlookRegion-wide
Wednesday's front brings a pressure drop to 29.94 and a chance of rain, so expect a quick bump on Wednesday morning before the bite tightens. Thursday through Saturday runs dry with steady pressure, lighter wind, and more sun, which should clear the water and put peacock back on the menu by Friday and Saturday, while largemouth will be slower and want downsized presentations after the front.
About this water
Fishing Okeeheelee Park — West Palm Beach
Okeeheelee Park is one of Palm Beach County's biggest parks, and one of its two lakes is set aside for fishing. The county stocks it, there's a fishing pier, and anglers regularly report both largemouth and peacock bass.
Where it is
Forest Hill Boulevard, west of Jog Road, in suburban West Palm Beach. The park has several entrances; the fishing lake is the one designated for non-motorized boats, not the water-ski lake.
Access and parking
A public county park, open sunrise to sunset. Fish from the bank or the fishing pier, or launch a kayak or canoe from the non-motorized launch. Gas motors aren't allowed on the fishing lake. Fishing isn't permitted at the park's nature centre. Check Palm Beach County Parks for current hours.
Species
- Largemouth bass — present throughout, and the more reliable bite in cooler months.
- Peacock bass — reported regularly by anglers; best in warm weather.
- Mayan cichlid — a common, hard-fighting bycatch on small lures.
Techniques
For peacock, small jerkbaits, inline spinners and walking topwaters fished fast along the edges and any hard structure. For largemouth, soft plastics fished slowly along grass lines and drop-offs, with a topwater early in the morning. Live shiners work for both.
Best times
The park closes at sunset, so plan around daylight. Largemouth are best in the first hours after opening and again late in the afternoon. Peacocks feed by sight and come on mid-morning once the sun is on the water. Both slow down in winter cold snaps, peacock first.
Rules
A Florida freshwater fishing licence is required for anglers 16 and over. Peacock bass are limited to 2 per day, only one over 17 inches. Florida's largemouth limit is 5 per day, only one 16 inches or longer. Confirm current limits with FWC and any posted park rules.
Nearby tackle
Bait and tackle shops are a short drive away along Forest Hill Boulevard and in Lake Worth Beach.