Ozarks Fishing Report: Topwater Bites, Crappie Stacking Up, and Big Catfish Lurking

Fishing’s been steady here at Lake of the Ozarks as we roll into the first Friday of September. Sunrise crept up at 6:41 AM, with sunset coming around 7:37 PM. No tidal swings to worry about—just that classic Ozarks morning fog, burning off quick under clear skies and a predicted high near 82. Light winds from the northeast and low humidity are making for one of those rare, nearly perfect days to be on the water.

The water’s cooled off just a touch since last week, now hovering around 77–79 degrees in most coves. After a humid stretch, the fish are perking up with this drop. If you’re up early, you’ll notice surface activity, especially once the light hits the shallows and the baitfish move in.

Bass fishing is lighting up this week. Locals are reporting solid numbers of 2–4 pound largemouth, mostly coming out of main lake points and secondary coves. Early bite favors topwaters—Whopper Plopper 90s in bone, Zara Spooks, and buzzbaits worked parallel to the docks have been producing strikes just after sunrise. For the late-morning shift when the sun gets high, flip to Texas-rigged brush hogs in watermelon red, or KVD finesse jigs with a small chunk trailer, pitched right under swim docks and inside shady pockets. Folks working a slow wobble with Strike King Red Eye Shads off gravel points are getting some bonus spotted bass, too.

Crappie are moving tighter to structure again. The brush is loaded from 12 to 18 feet deep, mostly in larger coves off the Gravois and Niangua arms. Tipping minnows on 1/16-ounce pink or chartreuse jig heads is the ticket—bonus slabs over a pound taken just this Wednesday. Night fishermen are also catching limits by anchoring off deep docks and dangling crappie lights to pull in shad schools.

Catfish are still hammering cut shad and Sonny’s dip bait. Drift fishing the channel edges near the 25–40 foot mark between the toll bridge and Hurricane Deck Bridge has turned up a couple of blue cats pushing 30 pounds, right in line with recent reports from Lake of the Ozarks Missouri Daily Fishing Report. Flatheads in the 10–15 pound class have been found around deeper logjams after dark, especially on live perch.

White bass busting shad in the main channel is a mid-morning highlight—look for birds diving and throw small silver spoons, or paddle-tail swimbaits for some fast action.

If you’re heading out, the top baits right now:
- **Topwater lures** (Whopper Plopper, buzzbaits, Spooks) at dawn for bass
- **Soft plastics** (brush hogs, creature baits, finesse jigs) near docks and brush
- **Live minnows or chartreuse/pink jigs** for crappie
- **Cut shad and dip baits** for catfish
- **Silver spoons** for white bass blitzes

A couple of proven hot spots this week:
- The docks and brush piles around the PB2 area (Public Beach 2) near Osage Beach—excellent for both bass and crappie in the mornings.
- The channel swings just east of the Hurricane Deck Bridge. Multiple reports of good catfish hauls and some big schoolers have come out of there this week.

The Cops & Bobbers Tournament is warming up the local docks, and the buzz says this weekend should see even better catches as the weather stabilizes. New and seasoned anglers alike, now’s the time—if you don’t have a favorite spot picked out, hit one of the community docks or ask a friendly face at the ramp.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake of the Ozarks fishing report. Be sure to subscribe for the latest updates, tips, and real talk straight from our Ozarks waters.

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