Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report: Summer Heats Up, Bass and Catfish Bite Strong

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for this Monday, May 26th, 2025.

Folks, summer is officially kicking into high gear here at the lake, and the fishing is really heating up! The water level is sitting at full pool right now, which has been great for all species. Water temps are climbing steadily, pushing into the low 80s in most areas.

Bass fishing has been excellent these past couple weeks. After those waves of spawning activity we saw earlier this month, many fish are now transitioning to their early summer patterns. You'll find good numbers of keeper-sized bass around boat docks and on points, though the trophy-sized females remain somewhat elusive. They're starting to push off the banks a bit deeper, setting up on structure in 10-15 feet of water.

For bass, I'm having my best luck with topwaters early in the morning - spooks and poppers are getting solid action during that first light period. As the day progresses, switch to jigs around docks or big worms worked slowly through brush piles. The shad and bluegill patterns are both producing, so match your lures accordingly.

Crappie fishing continues to be challenging this year. We're still feeling the effects of those drought conditions from a few years back that hurt their numbers. If you're determined to target crappie, focus on brush piles near points with small jigs in the 1/32 to 1/8 ounce range or live minnows.

Catfish action is really picking up now - this is prime time for our whisker fish friends. Cut bait or prepared stinkbaits are working well in coves and creek arms.

For hot spots this week, I'd recommend trying the lower end of the lake around the 4-7 mile markers where tournament anglers have been bringing in some decent bags. Also, any areas where you can find clear water meeting slightly stained water have been particularly productive - that's your golden ticket right now.

Sunrise is around 5:45 AM with sunset just after 8:30 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get on the water. We're looking at stable weather this week with highs in the mid-80s and light winds - perfect conditions for a great day on the lake.

Remember folks, stay hydrated out there as these temperatures climb, and don't forget your sunscreen. Until next time, this is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and God bless!