Missouri Lakes Fishing Report by Steve Wilson

Lake - Lake of The Ozarks 02/28/06:

Three days of 70 degree plus air temps are going to kick the fishing into high gear at Lake of the Ozarks. Water temps have jumped several degrees in some areas. Some of the best fishing of the year is here.

Lake level: 654.98 There is no generation scheduled for the next few days. This should hold the lake steady at 655.00

Truman Lake level: 705.62

Garmin water temps: Dam 42-44 Gravois 40-43 Main Osage Toll bridge to Hurricane Deck bridge 41-43 Above Hurricane Deck 40-42 Nianguas 40-46 Glaize near 54 bridge 42-43 gets colder as you go up the Glaize.

Dam and Gravois areas: Clear. This has been the most stable portion of the lake. And is producing the best fishing. Jerkbaits on main lake points and jigs fished on channel banks have been taking the bulk of the fish. But after the three warm days look for bass to migrate to those secondary points. This particular structure should produce the best jerkbait action this weekend. Jerkbaits and wiggle warts work best here. On this end of the lake the water is very clear. It is hard to beat the Japanese jerkbaits like Specialty Tackle Z wave. Get yourself a Deadly Black from the MAO-Store.

That bait is hard to beat. But there are others that work to. Such as the MegaBass and Lucky Craft Pointer. Translucent shad colors are best. The jig bite will remain good on the creek channel banks. Look for fish to start migrating back into creeks along these channels. 5/16 Eakins and Chompers jigs in greens and browns fished on light line in the 4-12' range. The jig should be the big key this weekend. Usually when the water is falling the fish suspend and the jerkbait rules. But under stable and rising conditions the jig will out fish the jerkbait. At least this is what I’ve noticed in my fishing.

Glaize: Clear. The best fishing water in the Glaize has been around the 54 bridge. The water is the warmest on the western bluffs. Jigs and jerkbaits both produce fish here. Fish 5/16 jigs and Chompers right against the rock bluffs. Fish jerkbaits on main and secondary points. Look for the fish in this are to start migrating up the Glaize and getting on the creek channel banks. This is when the wiggle wart bite will kick in. But it still a week or another good warming trend away.

Main Osage from Toll to Hurricane Deck bridges: Clear to stained. Jerkbaits on main lake points have been taking the most fish. As you go up the Osage change from translucent shad colors to shad colors with more white in it. On really sunny days silver foil is hard to beat. Something to put off some flash. Jigs fished on the creek channel chunk rock banks will produce lots of fish. It is prime time for this. But don’t forget to mix up a wiggle wart in with the jerkbait and the jig. Things are happening fast now that we are in a warming trend. The pockets are warming quick. There is shad flicking on the secondary points around my house. This means the big fish will be eating these week. Even though everybody might not be able to get off work and fish Wed when it’s going to be in the Mid 70's. They will be able to enjoy the benefits of warmer water temps and hungry bass this weekend.

Nianguas: Clear to slightly stained. It is still cold in the upper Little Niangua. But most of the Nianguas are good and fishable. The cold front shut the wiggle wart bite down last weekend. But it’s on again. The fish are migrating from main lake points into creeks along chunk rock channel banks. These are excellent places to fish 5/16 Eakins jigs and wiggle warts. Stick to greens, browns and PBJ in the jig and crawdad colors in the wiggle wart. Fish the baits from the rocks on out to about 8'.

Osage river: After this warming trend the Osage will be more fishable. Warming water temps will make this lake fish bigger from here on out. Temps range from 40-42 degrees in fishable water that is close the channel. The jig bite that has been explained in the other areas works good here also. Usually the jig is the first bait to go to in the river than the wiggle wart bite kicks in followed by the spinnerbait.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Note: Thanks for all the support for BassFactory Instructional Bass Fishing Trips. I am booking up really fast for this Spring. So check your calendars, reserve a date and Lets Go Fishing!!!!!!!! To inquire about or book a trip email me at BassFactory@Netzero.Net or call 314-406-3913

Click here to email Steve Wilson and
schedule your fully guided dream trip today.