Planning a trip with a friend to Lake Okeechobee. Was thinking of going on from the south side or east side, I live in eastern Palm Beach county but open to fish any area of the lake. The problem is I've never boated in the lake nor do I know what ramps are the most convenient to use. How many miles does it usually take from ramp to fishing areas on the main lake? I'll appreciate any help regarding best location for this time of the year and any must know information. Many thanks.

Do yourself a big favor and take someone who's familiar with the Lake on your maiden voyage....   It's a big lake and can be unforgiving with the winds, rain, etc....  Good luck.... 

Definitely agree with last post but if you can't do that, then do this: Best bet is to put in at Belle Glade ramp which is west of the City of Belle Glade at the bottom of Kraemer Island. It leads out to the Rim Ditch. Think of the Rim Ditch as a ring road around a mall and make it be your friend and don't get too far removed from it on your first couple of trips. One idea might be to run up left on the Ditch to an area called Pelican Bay. If its windy, the fish the Rim Ditch which is a perfectly acceptable practice with a lot of good quality fish caught year around.  Also, to the right in the Rim Ditch out of Belle Glade are cuts and holes accessible from the Rim Ditch. These are the dynamite holes and again it is a time-tested way to catch fish year around. You can easily spend a day in Pelican and it will give you good exposure to what fishing the Lake is like. Get a map and don;t be too ambitious. As mentioned, the Lake can get ugly fast

Thanks for the input and valuable information. I truly appreciate it.

What Topwater said. Especially with it dropping. 

 

East side J&S area lock through and fish north is pretty simple.

What Topwater said. Especially with it dropping. 

 

East side J&S area lock through and fish north is pretty simple

 

I did pretty decent today on the West side of Kreamer....  the lake was like glass, beautiful