Missouri Lakes Fishing Report by Steve Wilson

Lake - Lake of The Ozarks 03/05/08:

Just when the lake was starting to stabilize and start producing some good fishing. We got more rain and the lake is on the way up again.

Lake level: 655.9 and going up. Even though Bagnell Dam will be generating heavy for the next few days the lake will continue going up. Predicted lake levels for the next few days are 656.7, 657.2 and 657.7. Truman lake level 710.6

Water temps: 38-low 40's

Toll Bridge to Bagnell Dam and Gravois area: Last weekend with the 60-70 degree weather you could find mid 40 degree water in the lower part of the lake.

And the water was dropping which puts the fish in dependable locations. Perfect jerkbait conditions! Not anymore. Now the lake is coming up fast and dirty water is headed down the Osage and Niangua rivers towards Bagnell Dam.

The lake should stabilize in a few days and hopefully by this weekend start dropping again. But one thing we are going to have is a lot of dirty water. I figure with the amount of water coming into the lake the mudline that is coming down the main lake should be around the Toll Bridge by the time the lake stabilizes.

The best baits have been jerkbaits and finesse jigs. The jerkbaits have been producing best on points and channel banks. The key is to fish really slow. Shad colors have been best. But that can change with the water clarity. Rogues, Lucky Craft Pointer 100's and 78's and MegaBass Vision 110's all produce on this lake.

Finesse jigs from 3/16 to 5/16 fished slowly around docks on channel banks also is producing. Light line and fishing super slow has been key to getting a bite. Natural browns and greens are good color choices.

If the wind doesn’t blow and the conditions allow it 1/8 oz jig heads and 8# Flourocarbon on a spinning rig is the way to go for a super slow presentation.

The spinning rig and light 1/8 oz lure makes you fish slow. Little chompers grubs, shakey head worms and hair jigs will produce when everything else fails.

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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