If your vacation luggage always includes a tackle box, Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect year-round destination for you. The Lake includes 54,000 acres of fish-filled water and is fed by several rivers and their tributaries - the Osage River, the Big and Little Niangua arms, Gravois Arm and Grand Glaize Arm - so there is plenty of fishing fun for everyone.
Crappie, bass and catfish are the most common catches, but other species, like walleye and bluegill, await anglers as well. Fishing is fun at the Lake for both serious sport fishers and casual enthusiasts of all age and skill levels. "If you're interested in catching your daily limits of large and small mouth bass, white bass, crappie and catfish, the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks provides a wonderful opportunity to accomplish that. Some of our family's fondest memories were created with one-on-one time fishing with our children," Jim Divincen, administrator for the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association, said.
Anytime is a great time for crappie fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks. Spring means spawning in the shallows at the Lake and nearly everyone can cast a minnow and bobber into the water and catch fish. In the summer, you'll have to fish in deeper waters or try night fishing for the best success. Dock fishing is great in fall, when crappie like to stay in tighter schools near the structures. Don't put away the tackle in the winter, either, as a number of the Lake area's smaller family-owned resorts offer heated fishing docks, perfect for catching crappie when the weather turns cooler.
If bass are your target, the Lake of the Ozarks has plenty of largemouth, white and spotted, all of which can be caught year-round. In spring and fall, the Missouri Department of Conservation suggests the use of topwater baits, plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Winter is an excellent time to catch bass by slowly fishing jerkbaits off points or pea gravel banks.
Spring and fall bass and crappie tournaments offer big purses, making a fun day on the water very profitable, as well. "We know about catching big fish in Central Missouri. We're blessed to have one of the top fisheries in the entire country here at the Lake of the Ozarks, hosting more than 500 fishing tournaments annually, primarily in the spring and fall," Divincen said. "We're also home to three of the BassMaster Classic Winners, Denny Brauer, the first ever fisherman to be featured on the Wheaties Box, and father and son winners Guido and Dion Hibdon."
Channel, blue and flathead catfish all can be found at the Lake of the Ozarks. The best months for catching channel catfish are April through September, according to the Department of Conservation, though blue catfish remain active later into the fall and can be caught year-round. Blue catfish tend toward the open water, so fishing in the mouths of coves and deep flats brings the best success. To catch channel catfish, keep bait on or near the bottom and stay near the shoreline. Use live bait and stay near large boulders or woody cover to land flathead catfish.
The Lake of the Ozarks has made a point of providing top-notch services for anglers for decades. Public launching sites are available in the Lake area's two state parks - Lake of the Ozarks State Park and Ha Ha Tonka State Park - as well as at full-service marinas and resorts around the Lake. Many of the same marinas and resorts offer boat rentals.
Fishing guides make for a relaxing and effortless fishing experience. With one call, you can book these professionals, who will take you to the Lake's fishing "hot spots," and will also provide the boat and all the equipment needed for the excursion.
Fishing licenses are required for most anglers in Missouri. For more information, or to apply online, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation at www.mdc.mo.gov/permits.
Whether you're fishing with your buddies or your family, your time off the water can be as enjoyable as the time you spend fishing. The Lake of the Ozarks has activities and events for every age and interest. To learn more about these, plus dining and accommodations options, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) at1-800-FUN-LAKE, or visit the CVB's award-winning website at www.FunLake.com.
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Information, photos, events, experiences and what to do when visiting Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks.
Showing posts with label Fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fishing. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Year-Round Fishing at Lake of the Ozarks
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Guest Blog: Bassing Bob on Fishing in March at Lake of the Ozarks
Fishing at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri during March can be one of the
most productive times to enjoy and catch fish. During March the days are
getting longer, the water temperatures will be warming up and the fish will be starting
to move from their winter time holding areas and their metabolism will start
get faster, therefore they will be on the hunt for food.
This winter however, has been one of the coldest in many
years, the lake has been frozen for most of February and early March water
temperatures are in the mid to upper 30’s, therefore the fishing in early March
has been quite difficult to get the bass and crappie to bite. For the most part the bass are mostly on the
bottom from 20’-30’ of water, holding inside of deep brush piles or suspended
over very deep water, without much indication that they want to eat or move to
chase a meal. The crappie have also been more lethargic than
usual for this time of the year, however they seem to be more catchable than
the bass in deep brush piles and around dock brush piles.
In fact, many of the bass being caught are being caught on
crappie jigs by fisherman fishing for crappie in brush piles. This is certainly an indication that brush
piles are holding bass and the bass want their meal to be small and brought to
them worked very slowly.
Bass tournaments the early part of March have seen weights
being way down. While it is not unusual
to see 5 fish limit weights from 18-22 pounds this time of the year, winning
weights have been in the 10-12 pound range, with many tournament anglers being
shut out from catching a single fish, including me.
The cold water temperature bite that has been successful has
been slow rolling a multi rig bait (ala the Alabama Rig), a rig that has
multiple swim baits (3-5 baits) that imitate a small school of shad or bait
fish. The successful fisherman have
been working this style of rig slowly along the bottom in 15 to 30 feet of
water or over the top of brush piles. It
should be noted that the State of Missouri regulation for multi-rig baits is a
total of 3 hooks, therefore for rigs that have capacity for more than three
swim baits, you will need to either attach a spinner to the other wires of the
rig or use what is referred to as dummy baits, swim baits with no hooks. These can be attached to the rig with a
hitch hiker, a hitch hiker is a small screw like wire that the bait without a
hook can be added to the rig.
As the water begins to warm, which it will in March, the
bass fishing should really turn on. As
the water temperature starts to reach into the low, to mid and high 40’s which
is likely through March, the fish will start to move and want to feed. They will start to feel that spring
fever, just as we do. However, they also are going to start feeling
the urge to spawn and/or get into the spawning areas to pre-stage for the
spawn. While the spawn on Lake of the
Ozarks does not really start to happen until about mid-late April and into May,
the end of March as the water temperatures rise, the fish will start to migrate
into the areas in preparation for the spawn.
Lake of the Ozarks Bass Fishing pro’s and experts recently
met with BassingBob to discuss March bass fishing on the Lake of the Ozarks,
this monthly meeting of experts is video taped each month and can be watched in
it’s entirety on www.bassingbob.com. A monthly publication for March can also be
found on the same web site.
In summary of the experts meeting, there is a lot of similarity
amongst the experts regarding what baits to fish, locations and structure. The experts agree that during March the fish
will begin to become more active as the water warms into the 40’s. They suggest fishing in and around secondary
points that lead to spawning areas. As
the fish are still a bit lethargic, it is key to fish slowly. Brush piles and docks around these areas
will also hold catchable fish. The
experts pretty much agree on three primary baits to catch bass, a jerkbait, an
Alabama Rig and a bottom bait, like a jig or creature bait. As the water begins to warm, fish should
become catchable at the more common strike zone depths of 8’ – 15’ of
water.
The bass will also be found close to bait fish and they will
likely be close to deep water but up on the flats and secondary points to
feed. It is often overlook at Lake of
the Ozarks, that many fish also spawn on bluff ledges. These are often some of your biggest
fish. These are often referred to as river
fish, as these fish live full time along the river channels of Lake of the
Ozarks. These fish will also start to
feed and move more as the water temperatures warm. They will come up along the ledges of bluffs
and on main lake points to feed. The
baits to catch these fish are the same, a suspending jerk bait, Alabama Rig and
bottom bait like a jig or creature bait. The jig/creature baits are very successful on bluff ledges by pulling
the bait from ledge to ledge, often the fish will be relating to a drop off of
a ledge and the bait will be eaten either as it is falling in front of them or
being dragged in the bottom of a ledge. The very best jig and/or creature bait on Lake of the Ozarks is made my
Crock-o-Gator Bait Company.
I would also encourage fisherman coming to the lake in
March, whether you are an occasional angler or tournament angler, to hire a
guide for a half a day or full day. March is a very tricky time of year, especially this year as we have had
such severe cold water temperatures. My
suggestion is to contact Jack Uxa of Jack’s Guide Service. Jack is a
full time guide on the lake, he is the only multi species guide (crappie, bass,
catfish, etc.). The Lake of the Ozarks bait and tackle stores are also another
great place to find out what the fish are biting on, where to fish for the
active fish, ect. My suggestions for
bait stores on Lake of the Ozarks are Fitz Fishing, Tackle and Supplies, and Osage Bait and
Tackle. Wayne, the owner of Fitz Fishing, is a
veteran active tournament fisherman on Lake of the Ozarks and Bill at Osage
Bait and Tackle has a great selection of fishing goods and always has an
entourage of fishing guides and expert fisherman working at his store.
Finally, for videos, pictures, daily, weekly and monthly
fishing reports, check out www.bassingbob.com.
Good fishing everyone.
Please feel free to contact me with questions or send me pics with your
fishing report to bob@bassingbob.com.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Lake of the Ozarks Still Open for Business
All that is great about fall in Missouri is ready and waiting for travelers at the Lake of the Ozarks. The bass are biting, the leaves are putting on a color show and the temperatures are just right for favorite outdoor activities like camping, fishing and boating. While some recreation areas on US Army Corps of Engineers lakes have been affected by the federal government shutdown, all services and amenities on the privately owned Lake of the Ozarks are open and available.
"Visitors can come to the Lake knowing they will find all of our boat ramps, campgrounds, resorts and activities open and ready to accommodate them," Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association Executive Vice President Jim Divincen said. "Autumn is a beautiful time at the Lake. We hope travelers will come and see for themselves all the Lake of the Ozarks offers in the fall."
The three counties in the Lake area offer lodging options including family and fishing resorts, luxury resorts, condos and lake homes, bed and breakfasts and hotels and motels. Public and private campgrounds offer hundreds of sites, with options from primitive, no-frills tent sites to fully equipped RV sites. For those who enjoy rustic camping without pitching a tent, some campgrounds and parks offer rental options from cabins (including treehouse cabins) to yurts.
The fall season is one of the best times of the year to ensure outstanding fishing success at one of the country's best bass fishing lakes. Fishermen and fisherwomen can launch their boats at boat ramps in the state park, some resorts or campgrounds, rent a boat at an area marina or fish right from the docks. Bass tournaments on three October weekends offer the opportunity to win prizes for the biggest catch.
Visitors can complete their fall vacation with golfing on championship courses, shopping at the state's largest outlet mall and sampling a portion of the Lake's restaurants and nightlife. Travelers can plan their worry-free fall vacations by visiting the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at FunLake.com.
The three counties in the Lake area offer lodging options including family and fishing resorts, luxury resorts, condos and lake homes, bed and breakfasts and hotels and motels. Public and private campgrounds offer hundreds of sites, with options from primitive, no-frills tent sites to fully equipped RV sites. For those who enjoy rustic camping without pitching a tent, some campgrounds and parks offer rental options from cabins (including treehouse cabins) to yurts.
The fall season is one of the best times of the year to ensure outstanding fishing success at one of the country's best bass fishing lakes. Fishermen and fisherwomen can launch their boats at boat ramps in the state park, some resorts or campgrounds, rent a boat at an area marina or fish right from the docks. Bass tournaments on three October weekends offer the opportunity to win prizes for the biggest catch.
Visitors can complete their fall vacation with golfing on championship courses, shopping at the state's largest outlet mall and sampling a portion of the Lake's restaurants and nightlife. Travelers can plan their worry-free fall vacations by visiting the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at FunLake.com.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Top 10 “Must Do’s” at Lake of the Ozarks This Summer
Lake of the Ozarks is known
for summer fun! Whether it is on the
water or on land there is lots of fun “Must Do’s” at the Lake. Many people
think of the Lake and assume you have to have a boat to have fun. It is
actually just the opposite. Well, let me rephrase that… yes, having fun on the
water is a lot of fun but there are many more things to do while at the Lake
this summer. Here are the top 10 “Must
Do’s” at Lake of the Ozarks this summer:
1. Golf! Lake of the Ozarks is one of the
premier golfing destinations in the Midwest with over 15 golf courses; the Lake
is a must for a golfer. Not only are
there lots of courses to choose from, they are all unique and offer something
different. The Lake’s golf courses are set in some of the most picturesque
settings in the Midwest. Between courses being next to the Lake, on rolling
hills, and rock bluffs, these courses will not only amaze you with beauty but
challenge your skills as well.
2. Shopping is one activity
you can indulge in this summer at Lake of the Ozarks. For holiday or anytime
shopping, you’ll find what you’re looking for -or what you didn’t know you
needed at the Lake. It’s not unusual for people to come to the Lake strictly to
shop! From a major outlet-mall with name brand designer stores to small, unique
boutiques, the Lake has it all.
3. Find your style of entertainment! After a
day of fun at Lake of the Ozarks, enjoy a night out. Lake-style nightlife
includes music galore, karaoke bars, live country, blues, jazz and
rock-and-roll bands. The Lake also offers sports bars, tiki bars, mellow
lounges and lakeside hangouts, plus romantic moonlight cruises, live opry and
comedy clubs. Everyone will find their style of fun!
4. Must see events. There is
always something to celebrate at Lake of the Ozarks. This summer you can look forward to the Hot
Summer Nights car show series, Canine Cannonball, BroStock professional wakeboarding
competition, Aquapalooza, Jacob’s Cave Swapping Days, Fireworks, Lake of the Ozarks
Invitational Offshore Super Series Race, Wave Runner Rodeo, The Midwest Wine
& Brew Festival, Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and many more this fall. More
information on any of these events can be found at www.funlakeevents.com.
5. Water time. Your own
boat is always welcome at Lake of the Ozarks. Bring it along and launch it
where you are staying or at one of the area’s nine public access ramps. If you
don’t have a boat, no problem. There are many marinas around the Lake that
offer boat rentals. There really isn’t a reason not to get on the 54,000 acre
Lake. If being your own captain is not up your alley, there are many excursion
boats or charters you can take to have some fun on the water!
6. Come hungry and leave full! Nearly
half of the Lake’s restaurants are located directly on the water or offer a
fantastic view of it. Some of the finest cuisine in the Midwest can be savored
right here at the Lake. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, your appetite
will fare well. With over 200 restaurants in the Lake area you can find gourmet
cuisines, Ozark barbecue, buffets, down home cooking, ethnic food and more.
7. Fishing at Lake of the Ozarks is
one thing that all fishermen can agree on. With more than 1,150 miles of
shoreline and 54,000 acres of water, there is no doubt you will catch some
fish. The Lake is loaded with a variety of fish species: largemouth bass,
spotted bass, black and white crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead
catfish, white bass, hybrid stripers, paddlefish, walleye and bluegill. Most
species can be caught year-round; they just change their habits depending on
the season. If you don’t know where to start, call one of the many fishing
guides at the Lake to give you a hand.
8. The great outdoors. Lake of
the Ozarks is home to two State Parks with one being the largest State Park in
Missouri. There are hundreds of trails to explore from easy to moderately
strenuous, castle ruins, horseback riding, fishing, boating, caves, parks and
much more. Not to mention, the endless beauty of what Lake of the Ozarks is all
about. It is such a great way to wind down and enjoy nature.
9. Lots to
do with any of our many attractions. For fun on or off the water, the water, the Lake of the Ozarks offers
non-stop activity. In addition to our outdoor, marine, golfing and shopping
opportunities, the Lake is home to several unique and fun attractions. There
are tons of action-packed amusement facilities throughout the Lake area with
activities such as go carts, miniature golf, bumper cars, playgrounds, lazer
tag, parasailing, horseback riding, water parks, disc golf parks, music show
and more. If history is what you crave, then one of the many museums will be a
fun time. There is no lack of things to do at the Lake.
10. Relax! Last but not least if you
just need to slow down and relax, Lake of the Ozarks is the place to do it. If
all you do is sit outside and take in the beauty of the rolling hills and Lake,
you will find a relaxation. You can pick any resort, hotel, motel, condo, campsite,
or a bed & breakfast and just sit outside and enjoy the beauty.
If you have been to the Lake before, then we don’t have to remind
you to visit again. If
you have never been to Lake of the Ozarks, pack up and
enjoy a weekend or longer if
your schedule allows. To make the most of your
Lake experience, you can request or
view the Official Vacation & Service Guide at www.funlake.com/vg or visit
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
15 Free "Hidden Treasures" at Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest’s premier lake resort destination, offering
world-class boating, golfing, shopping and fishing, and a wide variety of
lodging, restaurants, state parks, and other recreational activities to suit
any budget and taste. Yet, there are “hidden
treasures” at that Lake that many visitors don’t know about but are worthy of
exploring. Many may think these
treasures would be costly but it is exactly the opposite. I am talking about the FREE things to do at
the Lake that will take your breath away.
Here
are the Top 15 Free “hidden treasures” at the Lake of the Ozarks
1.
Lake of the Ozarks State
Park: The
Lake of the Ozarks has the largest State Park in Missouri with over 17,441
acres of things to do. At the park you
will find two public beaches, boat launches, camp sites, Lee C. Fine Airport,
hiking trails, horseback riding and much more.
2.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park: This is an amazing park
and a must see place to visit at the lake.
This park contains over 3,600 acres with 12 hiking trails, 8 caves (not
open to the public), picnic areas, playground, exhibits, and castle ruins.
3.
Mother’s Shrine: The Shrine is known as “Mothers'
Shrine” and is probably the most meaningful shrine in the country, featuring
the Mothers' Wall of Life with names of mothers engraved in the black granite. A beautiful outdoor shrine with a 14 ft.
sculpture of Mary standing above the fountains.
4.
St. Patrick’s Church & Museum: Historic St. Patrick’s Church is the oldest church in Morgan County and
the oldest stone church in the three counties surrounding the Lake of the
Ozarks. St. Patrick’s Church was
built by Irish Catholics, a first generation German-American and a Protestant
Scotsman. The church was designed to hold 80 people and was ready for worship
by 1870. The small living quarters were added to the old church in 1936 for the
circuit riding priest. These quarters have been turned into a museum that
contains many of the vestments, photos and artifacts of the early church. The last regular church service was held at
this Historic Old Church July 20, 1952. It was placed on the National Register
of Historic Sites, March 2, 1979. (Information provided by St. Patrick’s Church
website.)
5.
Camden County Museum: Located in what was once
the Linn Creek School, each classroom has been devoted to a specific theme,
ranging from archives to a weaving room, where woven rugs can actually be
purchased.
6.
Miller County Museum: This museum serves as a
monument for the folk life of central Missouri society, with its Indian
heritage, early home accessories, machines, crafts, schools, churches and
agriculture.
7.
Morgan County Museum: Located in the old Martin
Hotel in Versailles, the Martin Hotel was established more than 150 years
ago. There are 28 rooms decorated with
exhibits, including a Chapel, a doll room, a military room and a tool room.
8.
Bagnell Dam Historical
Museum:
This historic log building was completed in 1930 by the Union Electric Company
(now Ameren Missouri) and served as an administrative and entertainment center
for the mammoth Bagnell Dam construction project that created Lake of the
Ozarks. The building is now refurbished
and serves the Lake area and its visitors as a museum, cultural activities
center and offices of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
9.
Bagnell Dam Overlook: This overlook has a
breath-taking view of the Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark, but it also shows the
difference in elevation between the Lake of the Ozarks and the Osage
River. The overlook has several areas
explaining various historical facts along with a turbine that was recently
retired after seventy plus years of use.
10.
Eldon Airpark Disc Golf
Course:
Disc Golf is a great individual or family sport. It is played like regular ball golf but with
disc (or frisbies). Eldon has a great 9
or 18 hole course (you can move the baskets) that can be played at any time.
11.
Camdenton Disc Golf
Course: Camdenton just finished building its disc
golf course last year. This course is
located at its city park and has more of a rugged terrain. This is an 18 hole course dug deep into the
valleys of Camdenton.
12.
Swinging Bridge and
Shallows:
This is a marvel all on its own and truly a Lake of the Ozarks “hidden
treasure”. As a kid I used to swim here,
and it is still around to admire. This
bridge is comprised of 400 feet of wooden planks to go across the Auglaize
Creek. This location is great for
fishing, site seeing, swimming or even a picnic. Travel down the country side to see this
“hidden treasure”, truly a great way to showcase the beauty of central
Missouri.
13.
Tunnel Dam and Whistle
Shallows:
Lake Niangua at Tunnel Dam is 3 miles long and is at the end of the Big Niangua
River. This area retains the rustic
charm of the Ozarks with majestic hills and dense forests. The gravel bars make perfect spots for
afternoon picnics, swimming or just relaxing in the water. The shallow water in this area is ideal for
kayaks or canoes. This is also a good
area for wade fishing or fishing from the bank.
14.
Aquatic Trail: This trail is administered by the MO
Department of Natural Resources as part of the Lake of the Ozarks State Park;
it is nine miles, which is a two hour boating excursion that runs from Public
Beach #1 to Grand Glaize Beach. One may
start from either end and a booklet with a map with a detailed explanation is
available at the park office. You will
see everything from a logging chute, caves, naturally solar heated bluff and
much more natural phenomenon’s.
15.
MO Department of
Conservation Area: North of Camdenton there is a 40 acre conservation area, with an 80
foot viewing platform that is open to the public which allows visitors to get a
bird’s eye view of the Lake. In addition
to the tower, there is a 1-1/4 mile hiking trail and an archery practice range
(no onsite archery equipment available).
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