Missouri Lakes Fishing Report by Steve Wilson

Lake - Lake of The Ozarks 05/31/06:

Warm weather and rising water temps have sent many fish out deeper at Lake of the Ozarks.
Lake level: 658.86 Med generation.
Light generation scheduled for the next couple of days.
Predicted lake levels of 658.9 and 659.0 for Thursday and Friday.
Truman lake level: 707.44
Water temps low to upper 70's

Dam and Gravois areas: Clear with some stained in the back of the Gravois and larger creeks. There are still some fish on beds and some males guarding fry. But the majority of the bass are post spawn. The great topwater action that we normally experience in May is finally here. Also the shad spawn sure has help things. The conditions are perfect for walker type bait like Zara Spooks. Right before the weekend they dropped the lake like crazy and the record heat pulled the fish out on the steeper points. Now the quality fish are at the mid-depth range of 6'-12' heading out to deep structure (humps and ledges with brush) Look for cover on structure between the spawning pocket and their summer hang outs. Use the topwater in the mourning or all day if they keep biting it. Then switch to plastic worms or jigs and fish the med-depth structure. It is hard to beat a 10" Power Worm in Motor Oil or Blk/Blue Flk. Fish the big worm on a 5/16 bullet weight on 15-20# line. If you want more bites. Drop to the 7" Power worm in the same colors on lighter 12# line and 1/4 bullet weight. These fish will bite on a lot of different lures. But I like to keep it simple. These two techniques will catch fish big and little all day long.

Glaize: Clear with the upper Glaize stained. Carolina rigging the secondaries has been the most popular way to go in this part of the lake. Look for the fish to have shifted a little deeper. Because of the huge amount of fish in this area they migrate faster. They are all ready fish on the deeper summer location and even more headed that way. The females are blasting Spooks in the mourning. They are actually too aggressive and knocking the bait out of the water. The better largemouth are on the steeper points. The fish that you see busting bait in the middle are spots. After the topwater bite dies down. Fish the mid to deep structure with carolina rigs, texas rigs and jigs. These fish want a big meal but they don’t want to work hard to get it. Most fish are being caught on carolina rigs with big plastics( brush hogs and power worms) But once you locate the cover(brush) switch to the texas rig or jig and fish the brush slower.

Nianguas: Clear with some stained in the upper portions of both rivers. This area of the lake is post spawn. There are fish relating to steeper banks and the first drop-off in front of the spawning pockets. They can be caught on topwaters such as Zara Spooks, chuggers and buzzbaits. After the mourning action you can pitch the back of docks with RattleBack Jigs. I like 3/8 in Blk/Blue for these conditions when there is a little color in the water. Docks on creek channel banks with 45 degree banks have been best. Fish the brush in back of these docks slowly. There is also some good structure fishing around the first couple of miles of Big Niangua and the mouth of the Little Niangua. There are a few good points that drop off into the channel with brush on them. Use the same techniques as you would in the Glaize. There is a lot less fishing pressure here.

Osage river: Stained to about 40 mile marker then it starts to color up and get really dirty past the 60 mile marker. The bite has really changed up here. They were using the flooded cover and just loving the flooded grass. But they pulled the lake down and most of it is out of the water. This is a shame because that grass gives the fry a place to hide form the bluegill. They pulled out from the shallow backs and moved to the 45 degree creek channel banks they use to migrate into their spawning positions. Spooks along the steeper banks in the mourning. After that square billed crankbaits and spinnerbaits in white/chart fished on the deeper lay downs in creeks has been tacking a few. On calm sunny days a Blk/Blue 3/8 RattleBack jig fished in the brush around the deeper docks is good for some bigger bites. The dropping water condition changed these fish a lot more than the lake fish. They moved deep meaning. They were 6" to 2' deep in the grass. And now they are 2' to 5' deep on the wood.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Note* On June 10 th There is a special benefit tournament out of PB 2 for Ursula McQuire. Marty McQuire of Marty’s Marine wife. A few months back she was diagnosed with cancer. This is a great way for fishermen to help out another fisherman! So check your calendar and try to attend this tournament. If you can’t attend and would like to make a donation contact Donnie Snelling @ 573-346-4440 ext 1300 or John Odom @ 573-216-6841

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.