Fish to Look Out for at the Lake of the Ozarks

There are many species of fish to catch at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The Lake offers largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, sunfish, walleye, and bluegill. While many fish are found at the Lake of the Ozarks, is primarily a bass and striper fishing location. If you're eager to get to your favorite fishing spot, stop by LSK Lebanon today to check out our fishing boats for sale in Lebanon, MO!

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass seeks cover under logs, rocks, and man-made structures. These fish prefer non-flowing water with vegetation where food and protection are accessible. Largemouth bass tends to be more aggressive and will strike at bait with power. Popular baits include plastic worms, bass bugs, shiner minnows, and surface plugs.

Smallmouth Bass

In large clear water lakes, you’ll expect to find the smallmouth bass in the cooler areas. Nests are present in the springtime and are located near the shores of the lake. On average, nests contain around 2,500 eggs or as many as 10,000. 

Bass Fishing

The docks at the Lake are the best place to breed bass. If there is a thin layer of water around, the lower part of the lake produces bass from around 4 to 8 feet in depth. Shielded from the elements, the fish build nests to protect its offspring. Spawning begins in the spring when water temperatures reach around 60 degrees. 

Summer is the best time to catch bass, as they are very active this time of year. Late fall and spring are also good times to catch. 

Crappie

The springtime is the ideal time to catch crappie. These fish are an easy catch when you follow the spawning cycle in March and May. There are black and white crappie. White crappie have a higher growth rate, but the black crappie has a strong body construction. Black crappie feed on fewer fish but more insects than white crappie. Minnows tend to be the preferred bait to catch crappie.

Walleye

Walleye fish are mostly nocturnal and congregate in schools. Where you find one, you are likely to find many. Young walleyes grow fast and may grow to be ten inches or more. They feed at night when there is dim lighting, consuming mainly small fish and insects.

Jigs, spinners, and natural baits that mimic small movements work well as bait to catch walleyes.

Catfish

Catfish feed at the bottom of the lake, for the most part. They usually sink rather than float to the top due to their heavy and bony head. They generally feed through a suction rather than biting because they have no teeth. 

A fun fact about the catfish is that it does not have scales and has mucus-covered skin. This fish breaths through its skin!

Best Bait to Use

Fishermen use cut baits, chicken livers, worms, and minnows to catch catfish. To catch crawfish, black bass, and white bass are caught best with soft plastics, buzzballs, and lures made of soft plastic or metal.

The Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s premier fishing destinations. If you're ready to get in on the action, we have a wide selection of fishing boats for sale in mid-Missouri. Let us know what you catch this season!

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