Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Bass, Crappie, and Cats Biting Strong

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Wednesday, June 18th, 2025. Let’s dive right in to what’s biting and where you ought to put your time on the water today.

Sunrise hit the lake at 5:40 AM, with sunset coming up around 8:40 PM. Weather’s shaping up mild for June—expect an early morning haze burning off into a sunny day, moderate humidity and a nice light breeze, perfect for making those long casts along points and docks. No tidal action to report since the Ozarks aren’t tidally influenced, but water levels are holding steady at summer pool.

Right now, the bite is still hot across much of the lake. As reported by the Missouri Department of Conservation, black bass—especially largemouth—have been plentiful, with catch rates up compared to past years. Many anglers are seeing a mix of 15 to 18-inch bass, with most action coming from secondary points and the backs of coves. Solid keepers are coming in, especially for those working a pattern around boat docks and brush piles. According to Jack’s Guide Service, current is playing a big factor this season: if you can find moving water or wind-blown banks, you’re in business.

For lures, you can’t go wrong with a shaky head worm or a 3/8 oz. jig, especially in green pumpkin or black and blue. Folks are also having luck with soft plastic creature baits, Texas-rigged, fished slow along docks. Don’t forget the topwater action is heating up—early mornings along shady banks and dock walkways, try a buzzbait or walking bait for a shot at a kicker fish. If the sun’s up and fish push deeper, switch to crankbaits or a Carolina rig on points and brush.

Crappie are still hanging close to structure, particularly brush piles set on or near points. Both black and white crappie over the 9-inch mark have been coming steady on 1/16 to 1/8 oz. jigs, with minnows producing as well. MDC points out that finding brush with good depth variation is key, so check out their interactive map for recent brush pile locations.

Catfish action is solid, with blues and channels both active. Best bite is night and early morning using fresh shad or cut bait on deep flats and channel bends. If you want to mix things up, head for submerged islands and long, sloping points to try your hand at white bass—throwing small spoons or inline spinners can trigger a feeding frenzy when they’re schooling.

Hot spots this week include the Niangua Arm for bass—especially near the mouth where current concentrates bait—and the Grand Glaize Arm, which is stacked with crappie and has excellent dock fishing opportunities. Don’t overlook the Truman Dam tailwater area for hybrid stripers if you want a real tug on the line.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake of the Ozarks fishing report. Be sure to subscribe for daily updates and more local tips to keep your stringer full. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.