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    Lake Okeechobee

    4.6 (7 reviews)

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    Dave O.

    Imagine a great expanse of clear water with a soft sandy bottom covering more than 448,000 acres, teeming with native birds and wildlife. This is what Lake Okeechobee used to be, but now, after years of pollution, Florida's great lake is dying, for centuries Lake Okeechobee provided a natural habitat for fish, wading birds and other wildlife, and it supplied essential water for people, farms and the environment, but in the last few decades man has made some bad decisions trying to manage something that was never intended or needed to be managed. The lake's health was threatened in recent decades by excessive nutrients from agricultural and urban activities in the lake's watershed, by harmful high and low water levels and by the spread of exotic vegetation which are all items that are manageable by man but totally ignored, it seems it's much more profitable to battle Mother Nature even at the risk of destroying one of the world's greatest eco-systems. There was never a need to control this ancient lake and it's apparent that no matter what man has thrown at it, this beautiful lake continues to fight. In the early 1900's hurricanes that devastated the area justified the construction of a dike to control and divert the flood waters, this attempt failed after a few post dike hurricanes proved the earthen dam wasn't nearly tall enough to contain the massive rainfall and storm surges, so man once again invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build a taller, wider and strong dike that still stands today defeating some of the fierce hurricanes Mother Nature has thrown at her or has it - we are now being told the constant wave action is slowly undermining the levees justifying discussions of spending hundreds of millions more dollars to rebuild flood control measures that benefit big business and no matter how it's sold it's wrong, the management of Lake Okeechobee needs to be given back to nature so it can resume the responsibility it's had for thousands of years, providing life giving freshwater to the Everglades and preventing saltwater intrusion of the freshwater aquifers that give us life. I am so thankful I got to experience its vastness but sad to have witnessed the destruction man has done in such a short time, reversing the horrific damage will have to be a conscious decision, one that I'm not so sure we are capable of making...

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    Lake Okeechobee North Pier - Pier from Land

    Lake Okeechobee North Pier

    (10 reviews)

    People who visit Lake Okeechobee for the first time might be surprised to find that you can't…read morereally see it from the road. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of life. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. To protect the people who live around the lake, in the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960s and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. Consequently you need to find access roads that take you up to the lake in order to see it. One such favorite scenic spot to see the largest fresh water lake in Florida is in Lake Okeechobee Park. Through the years this park has been known as Jaycee Park, Lock 7, Lakefront Park, and Parrott Avenue Wayside. The park has been officially renamed Clif J. Betts Jr. Lakeside Recreation Area for a county commissioner who helped guide planning for county parks before his death in 2011. The highlight of this park is a 400 foot fishing pier which I enjoyed for the views of the lake and the birds but which is loved by anglers who fish for large mouth bass and speckled perch. Other park amenities include paved parking, picnic tables, and restrooms with potable water. Hikers and cyclists can access to the Florida Trail/Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail on the dike up above the recreation area. To reach it use the entrance road or the paved path behind the restrooms. If you head east you can travel three miles to Taylor Creek and if you head west you can travel four miles to Okee-Tantie.

    This is a great place for a walk. It was upsetting to see all the power plants omitting toxins and…read morepoisoning the people of Okeechobee in the background.

    Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park - Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park

    Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park

    (3 reviews)

    Named for the battle that took place here in 1837 during the Second Seminole War and it's nice that…read morethey have reserved the space as a park. That said, it is quite basic with very little to see. The park has a nice public restroom, a picnic pavilion that would usually be covered but has lost its thatch and there is a grill. A small parking lot. A display with pamphlets that explain the history is a nice add. Overall? I'd say skip this one unless you specifically want a picnic in the sun where there is open water and wildlife nearby. The caution sign for gators was enough for me to move on swiftly. [Review 443 of 2025 - 2086 in Florida - 24005 overall]

    Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park is named for the battle fought here on Christmas Day in…read more1837 during the Second Seminole War. The park is located near Lake Okeechobee, the largest fresh water lake in Florida. The US Army were trying to round up the Seminoles to send them on the Trail of Tears out to Oklahoma. Although they were out numbered, the Seminoles understanding of the land allowed them to elude the government. This battle involved 1,000 volunteers and army soldiers against against several hundred Seminole and Miccosukee warriors along the northern edge of Lake Okeechobee. Troops of the 1st, 4th, and 6th Infantry Regiments were under the command of Colonel Zachary Taylor who after the Mexican-American War would go on to become president. This was the largest and bloodiest battle during the war. The Seminoles had setup on a high hammock that overlooked a dense saw grass swamp. As the troops approached they were able to inflict heavy casualties. Many of commissioned officers and noncommissioned officers were killed during the battle. After taking out about a third of the army, the Seminoles were forced to flee deeper in the the Everglades where they would hide for the next 10 years. During the battle the Seminoles lost only twelve warriors. The government declared themselves the winner of the battle but the Seminole were the only tribe never to sign a peace treaty with the US Government. The Okeechobee Battlefield was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and it was acquired by the Florida Park Service on November 30, 2006 with funds from the Florida Forever Program. In the 1980's, the National Park Service commissioned archaeological excavation which allowed them to more precisely narrow the battlefield area to 440 acres. The original Battle of Okeechobee marker in the park was erected in 1939 by Descendants of Colonel Richard Gentry, commanding officer of the Missouri militia who was killed by the battle, and the Florida Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Recently the park added a new chickee hut and a restroom. Every February a recreation of the battle is staged by volunteers. Admission is $10 and they have food, vendors, and demonstrations. That is really the best time to visit because there isn't a lot to see in the park normally. If you do want to visit at another time it is important to note that the park is closed on Monday and Tuesdays. I really enjoyed visiting this historical site and learning about the battle.

    C Scott Driver Recreation Area

    C Scott Driver Recreation Area

    (1 review)

    C. Scott Driver was an environmental champion for Lake Okeechobee. The fishing guide and lake…read moreactivist came to the public spotlight in 1985 when he demanded that the state clean up Lake Okeechobee. Conservationists fighting to save the lake took up the cause. Driver was a major influence on then governor Bob Graham who appointed a Lake Okeechobee task force that recommended plans to halt lake pollution and establish Florida's water clean-up law, the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act of 1987. Sadly Mr. Driver passed away from leukemia in 2021 but he is remembered as the heart and soul of the waters of Lake Okeechobee. His dedication to the largest freshwater lake in Florida is celebrated with this recreation area on the eastern shore of the Kissimmee River just north of the SR 78 bridge that was named in his honor. C. Scott Driver Park was created for the outdoor enthusiast. It has two stand-alone boat ramps with four singles lanes and 1 double lane. There are also four launch docks and a parking area for vehicles with trailers next to the restroom. While this recreation is enjoyed by boaters it is also a favorite of bird watchers. There are two places for birdwatching, one along the north bound Florida trail and the other on a trail along the Kissimmee River where you may spot great egret, ibis, snowy egret, cattle egret, little blue herons, and wood storks. C. Scott Driver Recreation Area is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors.

    Fast Break Bait and Tackle

    Fast Break Bait and Tackle

    (6 reviews)

    Had a blast artificial fishing with Justin Morgan on a 3 day trip. Caught my personal best bass on…read moremy birthday too.

    Me and my family have lived in buckhead and have been fishing Lake Okeechobee for 30+ years. I Was…read morehoping it wouldn't come to this but after allowing several attempts to make this right and still nothing has been done I feel it only necessary to warn others before they feel taken advantage of as well. First and foremost Id like to say I have always been a diehard Fastbreak customer. I am there weekly, i fish weekly and have lived in Okeechobee all my life. I have purchased many jigs, rods, bait and their gas is all I put in my boat and truck, their ice is all I put on my fish. So this is not an attack on Fastbreak but rather a call for action and responsibility of a knowingly faulty product they promote. Everything I have said on this review has been said to the store in person as well as Glenn Harris and nothing has been done. I first purchased Unique crappie jigs by Glenn from Garrard's tackle shop as I was there for propane. I then found out Fastbreak carried them. I didn't have many issues with this jig at first...paint cracking and chipping and NOT just after multiple fish being caught but I liked the body and kept hearing good things so figured I would just buy more and as the paint came off I'd swap them out. At the end of November I had multiple hooks break or straighten to the point when bent back they would break which for me is understandable that you bend something enough it will break. Me and three of my neighbor went out in December and two of them were also using Glenn's crappie jigs and said they too had the same issue one with the paint and second with the hook not being of good quality and several that have broke. That same day one of my neighbors had one of the bodies partially unravel to where the tail came completely off the jig and into the water. We went in to Fastbreak that afternoon and told this to 2 employees at the counter and showed them the pictures of the unraveled jig. They both agreed that they have had some complaints about the quality of the hook and they had told Glenn about it as well. It just so happens the following day Glenn was at Fastbreak delivering jigs while I was getting gas and I spoke to him in the parking lot. Super nice guy, said he was aware of the problem,  that he had ordered new hooks and should have them that next week. I thought great, problem solved. Beginning of January I asked an employee at Fastbreak if they had gotten any of Glenn's jigs in with the new hooks yet and he said he didn't know what I was talking about but again said that they have made Glenn aware of the hook issue. I checked the few jigs that were there and surprise surprise they were all the same old cheap hooks. I really wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because all I keep reading is the success of these jigs and I really did like some of the color combos. That day I bought a couple more new colors at the advice of a fishing guide that was in there that same day. He said he guides out of Fastbreak and because that's their biggest selling jig he promotes it to help them out. I mentioned to him the issues I had had and he agreed he had a couple like that as well but said "5 times out of 10 he doesn't have any issues". My exact words to him were 9 times out of 10? thinking I didn't hear correctly and he laughed and said 5 times out of 10. Seriously? With this my radar really went up and I started to question how and why this store would be promoting these jigs. A store that I and my fellow buckhead community use almost daily. People come here from all over to crappie fish this lake and this is the best we can do, this is the quality these guides and the 2 most prevalent tackles shops in this town are selling and pushing on people? So at this point I have brought my concerns/ complaints several times to the store and from what the Fastbreak employees have said multiple other customers have done the same as well. I've brought my concerns to Glenn himself who said he was aware and changing the hook and then as of yesterday they're still the same and yet the store is still promoting them not only themselves but through the people that frequent the store and guide out of the store just to not lose money? This is where I take issue. I've always been a Fastbreak fan but until they can recognize the garbage they're selling and not be so worried about the money they're making and Until Glenn can make good on his promise of making a better quality product I will voice my opinion to anyone that will listen about the quality of this jig and how Fastbreak knowingly promotes such an inferior product. I really am disappointed that this store would allow this to continue as I've always thought more of them and the owners but even more so that Glenn would say he's changing the hooks BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS  and has yet to even do so makes us all that have voiced our opinions look stupid. I know this was a long review and I apologize but if I can keep one person from being ripped off like m

    Lake Okeechobee - lakes - Updated May 2026

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