Fishing the Ozarks in January: Strategies for Cold Water Bass and Crappie

As of January 16, 2025, the fishing scene at Lake of the Ozarks is quite challenging due to the cold winter conditions, but there are still some promising spots and techniques to try.

### Weather and Time
Today, you can expect daytime temperatures to peak at around 4°C (39°F) with an average of 5 hours of sunshine. Sunrise is at 7:25 AM, and sunset will be at 5:16 PM[2].

### Water Conditions
The lake rarely freezes over completely, but the water temperature is currently quite cold, ranging between 44 – 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The water color is stained or dirty, which affects fish behavior[3][4].

### Fish Activity
Given the cold water, fish are seeking stability and tend to stay in deeper waters. Bass, in particular, are elusive but can still be caught. They are likely to be found in deeper areas such as main lake points that drop off into the main channel, and around 20-foot-deep brush piles[1][3].

### Best Lures and Bait
For bass, try using deep-diving crank baits, 3/4-oz or 1-oz Crock-o-Gator football jigs along points and ledges in 18–25 feet of water. In stained waters, especially towards the back of creeks, wiggle warts, swamp bugs, and jigs are effective. Suspended jerk baits can also work well around secondary points with pea gravel and chunk rock mix[1][3].

### Hot Spots
- The clear water around Bagnell Dam and the Gravois area is a good spot for both bass and crappie. Look for secondary points with pea gravel and chunk rock mix.
- The spillway section of Bagnell Dam offers opportunities to catch white bass, black bass, catfish, and crappie from the shore.
- Brush piles and docks, especially those with submerged brush, are havens for bass, crappie, and other gamefish species[1][3].

### Recent Catches
While specific catch numbers from yesterday are not available, anglers have been reporting fair to good fishing despite the challenging conditions. Bass in the 2-5 pound range and crappie around 11-13 inches have been common catches in recent weeks[1][3].

Overall, patience and the right lures will be key to a successful fishing trip on Lake of the Ozarks during this cold January period.