Ohio'ans Fishing Lake of the Ozarks for the First Time

[BoroBuckeye]

Hi All,

Three other guys and I will be heading to Lake of the Ozarks in a couple of weeks and staying at Point Randall Resort.  We are all from southern Ohio and used to fishing fairly shallow lakes (<15').  The last two years we went to Guntersville and did great with numbers (but nothing huge, most fishing were 1.5-2.5 lbs).  This year we wanted to try something new and decided on Lake of the Ozarks.

I've been doing research on my own but was curious to get some of your thoughts:

1.  What's the status of the spawn?  Will it mostly be post spawn in another week or two?

2.  I've seen all the national news on the flooding around Missouri... how bad has this impacted Lake of the Ozarks and how fast will the lake "normalize"?

3.  Based on where we are staying, any thoughts on good areas (obviously not looking for any secret spots--just general information)?

4.  General advice on lures and tactics?  Is there much timber to hit or is your best bet hitting docks?  Would generally fishing shallow water (<10') be a good strategy?  I don't really know how to fish deep water effectively.

Thanks!

[fishinwrench]

Are you bringing more than one boat?  I ask because the best bite will likely be behind docks, so the guy in the front of the boat is going to get all the good shots.   

Peak spawning activity is usually in 72° water.  I don't think anyone is seeing schools of fry just yet.  Getting real close though.

The water has some good color now, and will for awhile. 

[BoroBuckeye]

We will have two boats so that should help.

Interesting that schools fry aren't showing up yet.  What water temperature are people seeing right now?

[slothman]

68-70 degrees on that part of the lake. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow or this weekend. I'll try to remember to take note of the surface temperature while I'm out. 

[Old plug]

My daightef lived in Columbia for several years on a house built in 1980 in the area called victorian village right near Univ of Ohio.

I live on the Gravois Arm and rarely leave it anymore. I will say this though Jigs, creature grubs and plastic worms including sinko types are the the most dependable ticket around here. Fish docks. Follow shaded areas.,

 

[Krazo]

 

My daightef lived in Columbia for several years on a house built in 1980 in the area called victorian village right near Univ of Ohio.

I live on the Gravois Arm and rarely leave it anymore. I will say this though Jigs, creature grubs and plastic worms including sinko types are the the most dependable ticket around here. Fish docks. Follow shaded areas.,

 

I would agree, jigs & soft plastics around docks, shaded areas, should get some results.  points, main lake or secondary, near spawning pockets.  get the dam hotline # & if their pulling water you might try main lake points.  

[Smalls21]

GO BUCKEYES!

[Ketchup]

Good luck guys. I moved here 20 years ago from the Toledo area. Do what the guys that post to this suggest, and you should be ok. Rising water with more rain for the next 10 days will change things. get away from Ohio and come fish. 

[WeekendWarrior]

 

1.  What's the status of the spawn?  Will it mostly be post spawn in another week or two?

2.  I've seen all the national news on the flooding around Missouri... how bad has this impacted Lake of the Ozarks and how fast will the lake "normalize"?

3.  Based on where we are staying, any thoughts on good areas (obviously not looking for any secret spots--just general information)?

4.  General advice on lures and tactics?  Is there much timber to hit or is your best bet hitting docks?  Would generally fishing shallow water (<10') be a good strategy?  I don't really know how to fish deep water effectively.

Thanks!

1. I think most will have spawned but there will still be some spawning fish.

2. The flooding has only affected the water color which is stained in areas and chocolate milk in other areas, bring some spinnerbaits, crankbaits.

3. Try main lake points or just inside some main lake points, pulling a bunch of water thru dam right now.

4. There is no timber but plenty of man made brush piles and docks. Try skipping jigs, creature baits, shakyhead behind docks. Also topwater will be working as well.

have fun and let us know how you did.

Mike and Paulette will take good care of you at the resort.

[bjovan]

I am gonna second what WW said, the spawn will be mostly over but there are always stragglers. I would focus on main lake bluff end stuff and big secondaries with a big worm, jig, dd 22 and a swim bait. brush in those locations will be a plus. With the water moving through the lake there should be some current to position those fish. Topwater early and if there are clouds, if you want to flip docks there are always fish on them the water clarity or lack of might keep some fish in shallow brush longer. Hope you guys have a blast. If you are there on a weekend it will get bumpy with big boat traffic but early you will be good. Good luck.