Missouri Lakes Fishing Report by Steve Wilson

Lake - Lake of The Ozarks 04/19/06:

Bass are in all phases of the spawn at Lake of the Ozarks.

Lake level: 654.37

Minimum generation is scheduled for the next few days. The lake came up a few inches the other day. There is minimum generation scheduled for the next few days. Predicted lake levels of 654.4, 654.5, and 654.6 for the next few days.

Truman lake level: 706.86

Water temps low 60's to low 70's .

Dam and Gravois areas: Clear. Your best bet for a good pre spawn bite. The creeks of the lower end are a little cooler than the rest of the lake. The last few secondary points towards the backs of the creeks are holding staging fish. Jerkbaits, finesse jigs and carolina rigs are working. Shad colored jerkbaits and watermelon and PBJ colored jigs and Lizards.

On up the Gravois and in the back of some of the larger creeks in the Glaize there is some colored water where you can catch fish on a spinnerbait and wiggle wart. There are now many spawning fish in this section of the lake. You can see them really good here. Switch to the lizard and tube and pick colors based on water color. Fish pea gravel pockets in creeks and main lake coves.

Glaize: Clear with some stained water in the very back by PB 1. This area is also full of spawners. But the easiest way to catch fish here is with carolina rigged plastics like Crock-O-Gator tubes available at the MAO E-Store. Or lizards etc. Finesse jigs and chompers grubs fished on secondary points is also a good way to go. It seems like during the spawn there are many ways to catch them. From top to bottom.

Nianguas: Clear with some stained in the upper portions of both rivers. The water is warmer here. They have been doing their spawning thing for a good week up here. This area of the lake is about two weeks ahead of the mid to lower lake and a week ahead of the Osage. There are some post spawn fish here.

The carolina rig on the secondaries and topwaters worked on the steeper points have been producing good fish. Another good way to catch some good ones in this area is to blind cast to spawners on the pea gravel in the dirtier water up the rivers. Use lizards and tubes on Texas rigs in blk/neon and blk/blue. There are some fish starting to bite buzzbaits worked around horizontal wood in the back of coves.

Osage river: Clear in the mid lake region, slight stain to 45 mile marker and stained above the 55 and dirty from 70-90 mile marker. The fish are in all three phases of the spawn. The males are locked tight on beds. Most females have dropped there eggs and are doing who knows what. And there are still some waiting on the secondary points in front of the pea gravel pockets for a place to spawn.

Carolina rigs are hard to beat when they are on the points. This is the best chance of taking a pre spawn female. The males are in the pea gravel pockets. Plastics and RattleBack jigs in colors based on water conditions. The same pea gravel areas are good for buzzbaits in the early mourning and late afternoon.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Stop in at Osage Beach Bait and Tackle near PB 2 or if your in the river District 78 Tackle Shop at Red Oak Resort. Both these places have a good supply of what is really working at Lake of the Ozarks.

Note: Between Osage Beach Bait & Tackle (Located near Town and Country Motel-PB 2 area) and District 78 Tackle Shop (Located in Standing Rock Hollow 32 mile marker of the Osage by water-Red Oak Resort by Land.) You should have all your tackle needs taken care of at Lake of the Ozarks. They both carry premium tackle. The good stuff!

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

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schedule your fully guided dream trip today.