Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Bass Heating Up, Crappie Challenging, Catfish Prime Time

Good morning, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Wednesday fishing report for May 14, 2025, coming to you from beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.

We're looking at another gorgeous spring day with temperatures heading into the upper 70s this afternoon. Sunrise was at 6:01 AM and we'll have sunset tonight around 8:14 PM, giving you plenty of time to cast those lines. Winds are staying mild today at 5-7 mph from the southwest, making for nice calm conditions across most of the lake.

Now for what y'all really want to know - what's biting out there? Bass fishing has really been heating up these past couple weeks. Largemouth are active in the shallows, especially during the early morning and evening hours. They've been hitting topwater baits like Zara Spooks and poppers near docks and rocky points. During midday, try working Texas-rigged worms or jigs along drop-offs in 10-15 feet of water.

Crappie fishing remains a bit challenging this year. Those drought conditions from a few years back really affected their numbers, but don't worry - there are still keepers to be found if you know where to look. Your best bet is targeting brush piles along points, particularly in the Glaize Arm. They're holding at 8-15 feet deep. Small jigs in chartreuse or white have been producing, and live minnows remain the most reliable bait for consistent action.

Catfish are in prime time right now! Channel cats are moving into the shallows to spawn, making them more accessible to bank anglers. Cut shad, stink baits, and chicken liver are all working well. If you're after blue cats, drift cut bait in the main channel.

As for hot spots, I'm hearing great reports from Gravois Creek arm where some chunky bass are hanging around docks and laydowns. The Grand Glaize area has been producing some nice catfish, especially around the 7-mile marker. For crappie, try the brush piles near the Hurricane Deck Bridge - several locals have pulled limits there over the past few days.

Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as we're getting into those warmer days. The fish are definitely biting, but you might need to work a bit harder for the crappie. Don't be afraid to switch up your presentations until you find what's working.

This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and good fishing to ya! Hope to see you out on the water soon.