Fishing the Chilly Lake of the Ozarks: Finding Hot Spots and Catching Bass, Crappie, and White Bass in the Cold

For January 12th, 2025, at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, here’s what you can expect for your fishing trip:

First off, the weather is quite chilly, with daytime temperatures barely reaching 4°C (39°F) and nighttime temperatures dipping down to -7°C (19°F)[2][5].
Sunrise today is at 7:25 AM, and sunset will be at 5:16 PM, giving you about 9 hours and 51 minutes of daylight[2].

The lake's water temperature is cold, which typically slows down fish activity, but that doesn't mean you won't catch anything. Yesterday's reports indicated that despite the cold, anglers were still able to catch a variety of fish.

For bass, crappie, and white bass, the cold water means they'll be seeking warmer spots like the shallower upper arms of the lake and areas around docks. These structures provide shade, shelter, and food, making them hot spots. The spillway section of Bagnell Dam is also a great place to fish from the shore, where you can catch white bass, black bass, catfish, and crappie[3].

Given the conditions, soft plastic finesse worms, floating worms, creature baits, lizards, and tubes are good choices for bass. For crappie, a small jig or minnow set one to two feet below a bobber works well. White bass can be caught on small spinners and jerkbaits as they run up the tributaries like the Niangua, Little Niangua, Gravois, and Grand Glaize[3].

The lake rarely freezes over completely, so you can still enjoy fishing year-round. However, be prepared for the cold and potential snow, as it was scheduled for the previous day[4].

In terms of specific hot spots, the upper arms of the lake and the areas around docks are your best bets. The Missouri Department of Conservation public access areas and the Lake of the Ozarks State Park Public Beaches are also good spots to fish from the shore[3].

Remember to bundle up and stay warm, as the cold weather can be challenging. But with the right gear and knowledge, you can still have a successful and enjoyable fishing trip at the Lake of the Ozarks.