Missouri Lakes Fishing Report by Steve Wilson

Lake - Lake of The Ozarks 01/07/08:

Water temps are really cold now. But there are still good limits of bass to be caught at Lake of the Ozarks! 

Lake level: 658.24 with minimum generation scheduled for the next few days.  The lake will be dropping for winter draw down. The falling water along with the dropping water temps will group these fish up like they usually are during the winter. Jan and Feb will be excellent months for catching big fish with the draw down conditions.  Truman 706.79

Water temps: 35 to 43-44 degrees. There was ice in the back of the coves Thursday after that last cold front. For example the creeks in the mid lake Thursday were 35 in the back right before you hit ice. And 38 at the mouth towards the main lake. So my focus has been on the lower lake. Toll Bridge to Bagnell Dam and the Gravois. The water temps are in the low 40's there. 

Toll Bridge to Bagnell Dam and Gravois area: Clear to slightly stained. The water is very fishable in this area of the lake. The fishing has really changed since last week. Those cold temps and strong north winds really dropped the water temps. Most the lake is below 40 degree and some of it started to ice up Thursday. From the Toll Bridge down the lake starts to warm up into the 40's and it is 43-44 on the North Shore down by the Dam. The Gravois has water temps in the low 40's till you get above Cedar Creek. And then the water temps start to go down above there.

The cold front that iced up the back of the creeks. Moved the fish out of the backs and positioned them on secondary points and even more on main lake points and bluffs. The best bite has been on football jigs and jerkbaits. And the water on the bottom of the lake is a lot warmer than it is on the surface. That’s were the football jig works best. Work the football jig on the bottom around boulders that have fallen are broken off the bluff walls. Once you contact a fish note the depth and mark the location. Usually that bass won’t be alone and you can catch a few before they turn off. Fish the jerkbait on the secondary and main lake points. Shad colors have been working best.

Pointer 100's and MegaBass Vision 110's have been very productive. And these last two warm days have brought some fish up on them points where they can be caught. Usually I can locate a activity level on my sonar. But lately with it going from single digit wind chills to 70 degree. I haven’t been able to notice that key depth. Hopefully things will stabilize and be “normal” soon. This is the best time of the year to catch a really big fish. And I like it cold better than this Indian summer stuff. Even though it sure was nice. It is going to be a Great New Year as far as fishing goes here at Lake of the Ozarks. And now that the water is starting to drop. This would be a great time to try out those new football jigs you got for Christmas. Just pull up to a bluff near Bagnell and start fishing the rocks on down. Sure is better than sitting around the house. Wishing you were fishing!

Thanks and Good Luck!

Note:  If you have any questions about fishing patterns/lures or would like to book a trip at Bassfactory Instructional Fishing Trips send me an email at Bassfactory@Charter.net

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