Fall Fishing Frenzy at Lake of the Ozarks: Tips for a Successful Day on the Water

As of September 27, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake of the Ozarks is buzzing with early fall activity. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Time
Today, expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 58 degrees. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 6:54 PM. The weather is ideal for a day of fishing.

### Fish Activity
Yesterday saw a mix of fish activity, particularly around the Niangua and Glaize arms of the lake. Largemouth bass were active, especially around points, brush piles, and docks. Spotted bass were also plentiful, with many catches reported in the 10-12 inch range.

### Catches
Several anglers reported catching largemouth bass, with some reaching up to 15 inches in length. Spotted bass were abundant, and there were also notable catches of white and black crappie, particularly around brush piles. Channel catfish and blue catfish were caught using live or cut shad, especially in areas with a light breeze.

### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, topwater baits during low light periods, plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are your best bets. For crappie, small jigs (1/32 to 1/8 ounce) and minnows are highly effective. Channel catfish and blue catfish can be caught using live or cut shad, with blue catfish often found in open water several feet off the bottom.

### Hot Spots
- **Brush Piles on Points**: These areas are hotspots for crappie and bass. The Missouri Department of Conservation has placed several brush piles around the lake, which can be located using their resources.
- **Mouths of Coves and River Channel Breaks**: These areas are prime for catching catfish, especially blue catfish.

### Additional Tips
Given the early fall conditions, fishing slowly with jerkbaits off points or pea gravel banks can be very effective for bass. For catfish, drifting and fishing live or cut shad on days with a light breeze consistently produces good results.

Enjoy your day on the water at Lake of the Ozarks