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

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for this beautiful Saturday, May 17th, 2025.

We're looking at another gorgeous spring day on the water. The sun rose this morning around 6:00 AM and will set tonight about 8:15 PM, giving you plenty of daylight for casting. Winds are staying mild today, making for nice conditions across most of the lake.

Bass fishing has really heated up over the past couple weeks. The spawning activity we saw earlier this month is transitioning now, with many of the bass moving to their post-spawn locations. The lower end of the lake has been producing solid catches, with several nice largemouth being brought in during recent tournaments. Reaction baits have been working well in the mornings, but as the day heats up, you might want to switch to bottom presentations.

Unfortunately, the crappie fishing remains a bit challenging this season. Those drought conditions back in '22 and '23 continue to affect populations. If you're determined to chase slabs, focus on brush piles near points, particularly in the Glaize Arm. They're holding in 8-15 feet right now. Small jigs in the 1/32 to 1/8 ounce range are your best bet, especially in chartreuse color. Live minnows are still producing the most consistent results if you're after numbers.

Catfish action is really picking up and should be entering prime time. They're responding well to cut bait and stink baits in the deeper channels.

For hot spots this weekend, I'd recommend trying the area around the 20-25 mile marker if you're chasing bass. Ken and Michelle Miller had an excellent outing there just a couple days ago. For crappie, Jack's Guide Service has been finding success at brush piles near the Hurricane Deck Bridge.

Don't forget your sunscreen and plenty of water today, folks. The temperatures are climbing and it's easy to get dehydrated out there. Remember to practice catch and release with those big ones so our grandkids can enjoy the same quality fishing we have today.

This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines, everyone, and I'll see you on the water!