Clewiston Inlet

About

Introduction:

A major stopover point on the Okeechobee Waterway, the town of Clewiston is situated near the southwest end of Lake Okeechobee at Okeechobee Waterway (Route 2) Mile 75.7. Clewiston is where the Okeechobee Waterway Routes 1 and 2 join. Past Clewiston, the mileage of cross-lake Route 1 picks up at Mile 65.

Clewiston has three good marinas, all of which cater to local fishing boats and visiting transients. Roland Martins Marina and Resort is owned by bass fishing pro Roland Martin, as the name suggests, and has a full 130 transient slips, fishing store with marine supplies, gas and diesel fuel and restrooms/showers. Anglers Marina and Jolly Rogers Marina are located on either side of the Roland Martin Marina with similar, but smaller facilities.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 11428.

Clewiston can be reached via two routes. The first is via the Okeechobee Waterway, which runs along the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee, known as “Route 2.” We will discuss the cross-lake “Route 1” entry here, which is pictured above, entering Clewiston from the north. There is combination hurricane gate and lock to traverse in Clewiston, and you’ll need to hail the lockmaster visually, as he does not monitor VHF.

The entry channel into Clewiston from Lake Okeechobee runs through a narrow dredged cut that leads in from the north with four- to five-foot depths. Green daybeacon “1” starts the approach from Lake Okeechobee and is quickly followed by followed by a quick flashing red (unnumbered) light and red daybeacon “2” just southwest of Okeechobee Waterway Route 1 Mile 60. From here, a long line of daybeacons run down the narrow cut, with lighted aids marking the corners and turns. Red daybeacon “20” and green daybeacon “19” are the last set of marks where the two Okeechobee routes meet at Clewiston.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.