Lake of the Ozarks

Why go

Lake of the Ozarks is a big, busy, easygoing lake where fishing fits into a family vacation. It covers about 54,000 acres in central Missouri with more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, and much of that shoreline is lined with docks that hold bass and crappie. Catfish, white bass, walleye and bluegill fill out the list.

It suits families who want a resort with a fishing dock and a pool, groups of friends looking for a weekend of bass fishing, and crappie anglers who know how to work brush piles. It is a drive-to lake for much of the Midwest, and fishing is good in spring and fall, when the summer boating crowds thin out.

The fishing

Bass. Largemouth are the main event. MDC reports high catch rates, fish in excellent condition thanks to plenty of forage, and a good number of 3- to 5-pound fish. Spotted bass are also present, though fewer reach keeping size. Bass bite all year, with spring and fall best. Fish points, brush piles and docks. Topwater works in low light, and plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits are the standbys. In winter, a jerkbait worked slowly off points and gravel banks still produces.

Crappie. Both black and white crappie live here, and MDC’s outlook for the lake is excellent. Structure is everything. In spring, look along creek channels in the bays. In late spring and fall, crappie hold on brush piles, especially near points. When the shallow bite fades in summer, trolling small deep-diving crankbaits picks up fish. Small jigs and minnows are the go-to baits.

Catfish. Catfishing is good, and April through September is the best stretch. Blue catfish stay active into fall and can be caught all year. On days with a light breeze, drift live or cut shad a few feet off the bottom in open water near cove mouths, deep flats and channel breaks. Channel cats bite close to shore on stink bait, blood bait, worms, liver or cut bait. Flatheads are present but seldom caught.

Other fish. White bass run up the river channels in spring and gather on windy points in late summer and fall. Hybrid striped bass are good in spring-fed areas and the Truman Dam tailwater. Walleye have been stocked since the mid-1990s. Bluegill are abundant but mostly small, which is fine for kids. The Osage arm is the lake’s top paddlefish snagging area during the season.

Where to fish

The Niangua and Grand Glaize arms

MDC points bass anglers to the Niangua and Grand Glaize arms, and both also give up walleye in summer and fall. These long arms have plenty of coves, docks and points to work.

The Gravois arm

MDC has added many new brush piles in the Gravois arm to improve crappie and bass fishing, and it publishes brush pile locations online. It is a good place to start a crappie trip.

The Osage arm and Truman Dam tailrace

The upper lake, below Truman Dam, is the spot for early-spring walleye and for hybrid striped bass. The Osage arm is also the main paddlefish area and gives up walleye in summer and fall.

Shore and dock fishing

Lake of the Ozarks State Park near Osage Beach has boat ramps, dock fishing and crappie beds. Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton has two boat docks and allows fishing from marked access points. Many resorts have their own fishing docks.

Truman Lake

Truman Lake sits upstream in western Missouri, with the Osage, Pomme de Terre, Sac and Tebo arms. It is a different kind of reservoir, with standing timber and brush piles that hold fish all year. MDC expects good crappie fishing with plenty of fish over 10 inches and excellent fishing for blue, channel and flathead catfish. Bass numbers are lower than at some other big Missouri reservoirs. It is worth a side trip for crappie and catfish anglers.

The lake’s character

Lake of the Ozarks is a reservoir, formed when Bagnell Dam was built across the Osage River between 1929 and 1931 by Union Electric, now Ameren, which still owns the dam. The result is a long, winding lake with many arms and coves rather than one open basin.

It is one of the busiest boating lakes in the country. Crowds peak between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and a typical summer weekend brings about 100,000 visitors from St. Louis, Kansas City and farther away. Docks line much of the shoreline. For anglers, that means two things. Docks are prime fish habitat, and summer weekend wakes on the main channel can make small-boat fishing rough. Fish early, fish weekdays, or tuck into a quiet arm.

The lake also hosts bass tournaments, and the CVB’s fishing directory lists a tournament organizer alongside local guides.

Charters and guides

Independent fishing guides work the lake and can show you where and how to fish for the season. The Lake of the Ozarks CVB keeps a fishing directory of guides, bait and tackle shops, boat rentals and fishing-friendly lodging. A guide is a good idea on your first day, since the lake is large and the best water changes with the season.

Where to stay

Lodging covers everything from resorts and cabins to condos, home rentals, hotels and campgrounds. For a fishing trip, look for a resort with a fishing dock, boat rentals and a cleaning area, and ask whether you can rent a slip if you bring your own boat.

Two examples around Sunrise Beach, on what Rock Harbor calls the quiet side of the lake: Rock Harbor Resort has covered boat slips, a launch ramp and fishing boats for rent, and Dogwood Acres Resort has a covered fishing dock and rental boats. See our guides to fishing resorts and lakefront cabins for more on choosing.

Beyond fishing

The lake is set up for families. Expect indoor and outdoor water parks, go-kart tracks, mini golf, arcades, boating, horseback riding and hiking in the state parks. Our fishing with kids guide has tips for keeping young anglers happy.

Trip costs

The main costs are lodging, a boat rental or guide, and gas. Fishing from a resort dock or a state park costs little beyond a permit. Visiting outside the summer peak usually means quieter water. See our family and weekend trip guides.

Getting there and around

Most visitors drive in from St. Louis, Kansas City and farther afield. The lake winds through several counties, so plan on a car, and remember that a spot that looks close across the water can be a long drive around.

Licenses and rules

The Missouri Department of Conservation sells fishing permits and sets the rules. Most anglers need a permit, daily permits are available, and Missouri residents 65 and older are exempt. Lake of the Ozarks has its own length limits for several species, including a protected slot for blue catfish. Rules change, so check the MDC permit page and the regulations summary before each trip. Our fishing licenses guide covers the basics.