Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Crappie, Bass, Cats, and More for May 9, 2025

Good morning, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Friday fishing report for May 9, 2025, coming to you from beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.

We're looking at another fine spring day with temperatures expected to reach the mid-70s this afternoon. Sunrise was about an hour ago at 6:05 AM and we'll have sunset tonight around 8:10 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water. Winds are staying light today at 6-8 mph from the southwest, making for calm conditions across most of the lake.

Now for what you're all wondering - what's biting? Crappie fishing has been a bit slower this year compared to recent seasons due to those drought conditions back in '22 and '23 that really hurt the recruitment. But don't you worry, there are still plenty of keepers if you know where to look. Your best bet is hitting brush piles along points, especially in the Glaize Arm. Both black and white crappie are holding in 8-15 feet of water. Small jigs in the 1/32 to 1/8 ounce range are working well, particularly in chartreuse. And don't forget your minnows - they're still the most reliable bait for consistent action.

Bass fishing has picked up nicely as we're right in the middle of spawn season. They're a bit finicky right now, but if you're patient, you'll find success working the shallows with plastic worms and jigs. Some of the best action has been in coves with gravel bottoms.

Catfish action should be good and picking up as we head toward summer. April through September are typically the best months for cats, and we're just getting into prime time.

If you're looking for white bass, try fishing windy points, submerged islands, and long sloping points using either artificial lures or shad. The hybrid striped bass opportunities are good in the Truman Dam tailwater.

For you walleye anglers, try trolling crankbaits on steep rocky points and humps. Jigs tipped with either minnows, nightcrawlers, or twister tail grubs in bright colors like orange, white, and chartreuse are productive when fished near the bottom.

Hot spots this weekend? I'd recommend checking out the brush piles near the 38-mile marker for crappie. For bass, try the coves around Horseshoe Bend and the docks near the Grand Glaize Arm. The area around Bagnell Dam has also been producing some nice catfish this past week.

That's all for today, folks. Remember to handle those fish with care if you're releasing them. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and see you on the water!