Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Spawning Bass, Crappie Challenges, and Catfish Prime Time

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Monday, May 19th, 2025.

We're looking at another beautiful day on the water with temperatures expected to be comfortable for both you and the fish. The lake is finally at full pool after being low earlier this spring, which is great news for all of us looking to get after some fish today.

Bass fishing continues to be hot right now! We've had a full moon just last week that triggered another wave of spawning activity. Currently, we're seeing a mix of spawning and post-spawn bass, with many fish still up on the banks and others starting to utilize boat docks. This transition period means multiple patterns are working, giving you plenty of options.

For those targeting bass, topwater baits have been extremely effective, especially when working spawning pockets and protected northern banks that get plenty of sun. Look for those pearl mix banks just inside main lake points - you don't always have to go all the way to the backs of coves to find bedding fish. The big females have been somewhat elusive, but keeper-size fish are abundant.

Crappie fishing remains a bit challenging compared to typical May patterns. This is likely due to the drought conditions we experienced back in 2022-2023 that affected recruitment. If you're determined to chase slabs, focus on brush piles near points in the Glaize Arm. Both black and white crappie are holding in 8-15 feet of water. Small jigs (1/32 to 1/8 ounce) in chartreuse have been productive, and minnows remain reliable for consistent action.

Catfish are in prime time right now, so don't overlook these fighters if you're looking for some good action.

Hot spots this week include the spawning pockets off bigger creeks, particularly those with northern exposure. Also, try the banks from the main lake to the first spawning pocket - this stretch is great for both pre-spawn and post-spawn fish. For crappie, focus on the Glaize Arm brush piles.

In about two weeks, we'll see many more post-spawn fish moving to deeper water, but for now, we have the luxury of targeting fish both shallow and deep. The bite has been good overall with plenty of keepers, though trophy fish have been somewhat scarce.

Remember, folks, the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Get out there and enjoy our beautiful lake during this fantastic time of year!

This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines, everyone!