Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Spring Bites Heating Up for Crappie, Bass, and Cats

Good morning from the Lake of the Ozarks. This is Artificial Lure with your Friday fishing report for May 2, 2025, coming to you straight from the heart of Missouri.

We’re looking at a classic spring pattern on the lake today. Sunrise came in at just about 6:10 this morning with sunset expected around 8:05 tonight. Daytime weather brings partly cloudy skies and a comfortable high in the upper 60s, making for a perfect day on the water. Winds are light, which is great for boat control and working those main lake points. There are no significant tidal swings here, so focus more on weather and water temps for your planning.

Fish activity is picking up fast with warming water. Crappie anglers are still finding some steady action despite a slower bite this season due to tough recruitment the last couple of years, likely from the earlier droughts. Still, if you work those brush piles along the Glaize Arm and other main lake points, you’re likely to come across some keeper black and white crappie—especially on brush located eight to fifteen feet deep. Small jigs in 1/32 to 1/8 ounce sizes, especially chartreuse, are the go-to, and live minnows remain a classic favorite for steady bites[1].

Largemouth bass and spotted bass are starting to move shallow. Anglers are reporting strong catches early and late around docks and rocky banks using soft plastic creature baits and finesse jigs. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits in shad or craw patterns are also producing, especially with some wind hitting the banks. If you target secondary points in the Gravois and Osage arms, you should find plenty of active fish this time of year[5].

Catfish action is good and getting better by the day. Channel and blue cats are taking cut shad and live bait in the deeper channels. Nightcrawlers on the bottom around creek mouths will also score bites[1]. April through September is always prime for cats, so it’s a solid bet now.

If you’re itching for something different, folks have been catching walleye trolling crankbaits over steep rocky points and humps. Best colors are bright—think orange, chartreuse, or white jigs with a minnow or nightcrawler tip[1]. White bass are schooling up on windy, sloping points and submerged islands. Use small swimbaits or Rooster Tails for numbers.

Recent reports have shown solid numbers of bass and the occasional limit of slabs coming from coves around the 6 to 10 mile markers on the Osage Arm and over on the Niangua Arm. Brush piles are the key for crappie, while points and secondary channels are your best bet for bass.

Hot spots today are the Glaize Arm for crappie and the secondary points around the Gravois Arm for bass. Don’t overlook the Truman Dam tailwater for hybrid stripers and walleye action, either.

Stay safe on the water, respect the resource, and tight lines to everyone out today. This is Artificial Lure signing off.