"Springtime Bites at Lake of the Ozarks: Crappie, Bass, and Catfish Thrive in Warming Waters"

Fishing at Lake of the Ozarks is transitioning into prime spring action as April warms the waters and fish activity picks up. Here’s what’s happening today, April 4, 2025:

The lake level is lower than summertime due to spring rain preparations, and water temperatures are in the upper 40s but gradually warming. The weather is mild with partly cloudy skies, and sunrise was at 6:46 AM, with sunset expected at 7:28 PM.

Crappie fishing is excellent right now, with active schools located in open waters and around secondary points inside creek channels. Crappie are suspended at depths of 8 to 15 feet, feeding heavily on shad. The best lures for crappie include small jigs like Tackle HD Baby Shads in light colors, and minnows under a bobber have also been effective. Anglers have reportedly caught 15 to 20 good-sized crappie in under an hour.

Bass fishing is improving as the fish prepare to spawn. Largemouth and spotted bass are still a bit hesitant to commit to shallow banks. However, Alabama rigs with swimbaits and jerkbaits like the Megabass 110 and Smithwick Rogue are the top choices to target these bass on rocky points and pea-gravel banks. For slower, bottom-oriented approaches, finesse jigs in dark green or Ozark craw colors are producing results around docks and brush piles.

Catfish action is beginning to pick up, with blue catfish particularly active in deeper, open waters. Drifting with cut or live shad around river channel breaks and mouths of coves is yielding consistent catches. For flatheads, live bait such as bluegill or green sunfish remains the best option.

This week, anglers have also had success targeting white bass near windy points and long, sloping structures. Small spinners and jerkbaits mimic baitfish and are effective during these pre-spawn conditions.

For hotspots, the Niangua and Grand Glaize Arms stand out for both bass and crappie fishing. Focus on brush piles and rocky points here. Additionally, the Bagnell Dam spillway is an excellent location for bank anglers to catch white bass, catfish, and crappie. The Osage River channel is another productive area, especially for targeting blue cats.

The recent natural fish kill of gizzard shad has added a silver lining to the fishing landscape, as the remaining shad population will soon spawn, providing ample forage for larger game fish like bass and crappie. It’s an exciting time to hit the water, as nature's cycle is bolstering fish activity.

Get your gear ready, try out these tips, and enjoy the bounty Lake of the Ozarks has to offer today!