Lake of the Ozarks

Black bass fishing will continue to be very good on the Niangua and Glaize Arms. Catch rates for largemouth bass remain high with 20% of the fish collected above the 15-inch minimum length limit and a solid representation of 3-to-5-pound fish. Spotted (Kentucky) bass were less abundant in our sampling comprising 15% of the total black bass catch with few fish over the 12-inch minimum length limit. The majority of black bass collected in the spring of 2025 were 10 to 12 inches. These fish are expected to grow to the minimum length or larger, producing a significant increase in harvestable fish in 2026. We collected too few smallmouth bass to make any predictions of the population indicating a low abundance in the lake. All black bass collected were in excellent condition, indicating strong growth rates resulting from ample forage. Although bass can be caught year-round, the best times are spring and fall, especially around points, brush piles, and docks. The best producing lures are topwater baits (low light periods), plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. Winter is also an excellent time to fish for bass by slowly fishing jerkbaits off points or gravel banks.

Crappie fishing will be excellent in 2026. During the fall of 2025, approximately 60 percent of both black crappie and white crappie throughout the lake were just under the 9-inch minimum length limit. These fish are expected to be of harvestable length in the late spring of 2026. White crappie were the most abundant in our fall netting efforts representing 70% of the crappie we sampled. Black crappie were more frequently caught in areas of the lake with clearer water. In the spring anglers should focus on creek channels in the bays. During late spring and fall, concentrate on brush piles, especially those located on or near points. The ability to locate good structure is the key to successful crappie fishing on Lake of the Ozarks. A significant amount of brush piles were added to the Gravois arm of the lake this year to boost both crappie and black bass populations. Visit: http://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z4u for information about brush piles that have been placed in the lake by MDC staff. Small jigs (1/32 to 1/8 ounce) and minnows are the best baits. Trolling small, deep-diving crankbaits in the summer produces fish when shallow water fishing slows in the heat of summer.

Bluegill sunfish are very abundant throughout the lake yet tend to be small. We collected less than 10% of fish over 7-inches with the majority of bluegill being less than 4-inches. This is likely due to a strong black bass population feeding heavily on medium sized Bluegill and rocky shores with notable lack of aquatic vegetation critical to the growth of quality Bluegill. Redear sunfish in Lake of the Ozarks are large but not very abundant. Sunfish can be caught using live bait like worms and on small jigs and spinners. 

Catfish fishing on Lake of the Ozarks continues to be good. The best months are April through September. Blue catfish remain active later into the fall and can be caught year-round. Drifting and fishing live or cut shad on days with a light breeze consistently produces the best catches. Blue catfish tend to inhabit open water, so fishing some distance from the shoreline with your bait several feet off the bottom may increase your odds. The mouths of coves, deep flats, and river channel breaks are prime areas. Note that a protected slot length limit pertaining to blue catfish went into effect in 2014. All blue catfish from 26 inches to 34 inches in length must be immediately returned to the water. If you are after channel catfish, try to keep your bait on or near the bottom, and fish relatively close to the shoreline. Channel catfish are most frequently caught on baits with scents like stink baits and blood baits but can also be caught on worms, liver and cut bait. Although flathead catfish do reside in the lake, they are seldom caught. To catch flathead catfish, use live bait such as a small bluegill or green sunfish instead of cut bait and fish near large boulders, woody cover or in feeder rivers.

White bass fishing should be fair. Fish river channels in the spring and in the late summer and fall, fish windy points, submerged islands and long, sloping points using either artificial lures or shad. Opportunities for catching hybrid striped bass are good in the Truman Dam tailwater and, during the summer and winter months, in spring-fed areas of the lake. Striped bass are stocked in low numbers in Lake of the Ozarks to provide a limited trophy fishery. These elusive predators prefer cool water and can be caught trolling deep, clear water in the summer and in spring-fed areas of the lake in summer and winter.    

Walleye have been consistently stocked in Lake of the Ozarks since the mid-1990's. The best locations for catching walleye are the Truman Dam tailrace in early spring and the Grand Glaize, Niangua and Osage arms of the lake throughout the summer and fall. Walleyes are typically caught by trolling crankbaits on steep rocky points and humps. Walley can also be caught with jigs tipped with either minnows, nightcrawlers, or a twister tail grub, fished on or near the bottom. Unlike bass, walleye tend to prefer bright colored jigs and dressings such as orange, white, and chartreuse.

The lake also offers good fishing for many other species including paddlefish. The Lake of the Ozarks consistently produces a significant number of paddlefish harvested in the state. Snagging in the Osage arm of the lake during paddlefish season is the best bet. Buffalo, common carp, gar, redhorse and freshwater drum are also frequently caught throughout the lake. Remember to use proper handling techniques when releasing fish back to the water to ensure their survival.