Winter Fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks: Techniques for Catching Bass, Crappie, and Walleye in December

For December 28, 2024, at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, here’s what you can expect:

First, let's talk about the daylight. Sunrise is at 7:22:45 AM, and sunset will be at 4:56:13 PM, giving you about 9 hours and 33 minutes of daylight[2].

The weather has been quite chilly, with water temperatures in the mid-50s, which is typical for this time of year. The lake rarely freezes over completely, so you can still enjoy some good winter fishing.

Fish activity has been decent despite the cold. Black bass, including both largemouth and smallmouth, are being found in various depths. Look for them in the back of creek arms on channel swing banks, where they tend to be more active in colder weather. Use jerkbaits, jigs, and crankbaits for the best results[5].

Crappie are also active, particularly in deeper waters around 20-30 feet. They are often found near brush piles and can be caught using jigs, minnows, or small crankbaits. Presentation is key, so make sure to fish straight up and down in pole timber or brushpile areas[1][3].

White bass are another target, especially in the spillway section of Bagnell Dam and in the tributaries like the Niangua and Little Niangua. Small spinners and jerkbaits work well for white bass[3].

For walleye, they are starting to pick up, especially in the main lake areas. Try trolling small crankbaits or using nightcrawlers floated off the bottom in 12-15 feet of water[1].

Hot spots include the spillway section of Bagnell Dam, where you can catch a variety of species from the shore, and the upper arms of the lake, which offer off-colored waters that can be favorable for reaction baits like spinnerbaits and crankbaits[3].

Overall, it's a good time to use a mix of lures and baits to adapt to the changing conditions. Keep an eye on the water temperature and adjust your tactics accordingly. Good luck out there