Wintertime Fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks: Bass, Crappie, and Catfish Opportunities Await

As of December 26, 2024, the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, despite the winter season.

First, let's address the tidal report; the Lake of the Ozarks is a freshwater lake and does not have tides, so you don't need to worry about tidal cycles here.

The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit, making it a chilly but manageable day for fishing. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM.

Fish activity remains strong, especially for bass and catfish. Black bass, including both largemouth and spotted bass, are active year-round, but winter is a great time to catch them using jerkbaits off points or pea gravel banks. According to recent surveys, about 15% of largemouth bass on the Niangua Arm and 16% on the Glaize Arm are over the 15-inch minimum length limit, while 33% of spotted bass on the Niangua Arm and 25% on the Glaize Arm are over the 12-inch minimum length limit[1].

For crappie, the fishing has been slower due to drought conditions affecting recruitment in 2022 and 2023. However, you can still find them around brush piles, especially those on or near points. Small jigs (1/32 to 1/8 ounce) and minnows are the best baits for crappie[1].

Catfish action is consistent, with the best months typically being April through September, but they can still be caught during winter. Drifting cut shad is a highly effective method for catching bigger blue cats[3].

For lures, topwater baits during low light periods, plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are excellent choices for bass. For crappie, stick with small jigs and minnows. For catfish, cut shad and nightcrawlers work well.

Hot spots include the spillway section of Bagnell Dam, where you can catch white bass, black bass, catfish, walleye, and crappie from the shore. The Niangua and Glaize Arms are also prime areas for bass and crappie, particularly around points, brush piles, and docks[1][3].

Remember to take advantage of the lake's many dock structures, as they provide shade, shelter, and food for various gamefish species. Night fishing around these docks can be particularly productive for bass using magnum-sized plastic worms and jigs in deep brush piles[3].

Enjoy your fishing trip to the Lake of the Ozarks