Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Spawning Bass and Crappie Bite Strong, Lures to Target Them

Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for May 28, 2025, straight from the dock.

Weather this morning is starting off mild with light winds and highs expected in the upper 70s by afternoon. Skies are mostly clear, setting up a great day for fishing. Sunrise was at 5:48 AM and sunset will be at 8:25 PM. No tides to worry about here at the lake, just steady water levels at full pool after the recent rains and a full moon last week.

The bite is definitely on. Bass and crappie have both seen recent waves of spawning, so you’ll find fish both shallow on the banks and moving out toward deeper water and docks. Right now, there’s action throughout the lake, with lots of fish caught shallow early and late, then moving to deeper structure and boat docks by midday. Keeper-sized bass are being caught regularly, mostly in the 2 to 3-pound range. Bigger females are elusive but still there, often lurking near bluegill beds or around dock pilings. Crappie numbers are down a bit from years past due to weaker recruitment, but you’ll still pick up good ones—especially black and white crappie—if you target brush piles and points with structure[1][5].

For lures, you can’t go wrong with a topwater like a spook or popper first thing in the morning, especially around shallow banks or walkways with shade. Once the sun’s up, switch to creature baits, jigs, or big worms worked around dock posts, brush piles, and deeper ledges. Swimbaits and chatterbaits are also productive in the clearer water. For crappie, go small: 1/32 to 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with a minnow are solid choices, especially dropped straight into brush piles[5]. Catfish are also biting on cut shad or stinkbait along channel swings and deeper holes.

If you’re looking for hot spots, check out the Glaize Arm for crappie—especially around brush piles on points. For bass, Grand Glaize and the main lake points near Osage Beach and Linn Creek are producing, especially where you find a mix of docks and rocky banks. If you find any slightly stained or dirty water, stick around; those areas have been holding active fish[3].

In summary, there’s a lot of fishable water and a lot of patterns working right now. Bring a bit of everything and don’t be afraid to move until you find them. Good luck, and I’ll see you on the lake.