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HEATED DOCKS WARM
UP WINTER FISHING Various resorts at the Lake of the Ozarks cater to year-round Anglers by providing a warm, cozy place to drop a line, even during the coldest winter. Heated fishing docks give anglers a chance to Fish without having to battle Mother Nature's wintry forces. Some of the docks contain many of the comforts of home, such as rocking chairs, toaster ovens, coffee makers and even televisions. Enclosed docks at the Lake of the Ozarks emerged when fishing cabin resorts prospered at the lake during the 1940s and 1950s. Most of the docks are on the Niangua arm of the lake, while the rest are scattered on the Osage arm. Resorts with enclosed docks cater to anglers throughout the year and offer an ice-free fishing hole during the winter. Some heated docks are open to the public and charge a daily fee for walk-in anglers while other establishments allow only their guests to fish from the docks. Wood, kerosene, natural gas and electric heaters and stoves keep the customers comfortable by maintaining temperatures in the 60- to 70-degree range inside the docks. When the lake freezes, the water inside the docks remain accessible to anglers because of the enclosed heat. The docks contain fish attractors, such as sunken brush, below the dock's wells. Also suspended below some docks are nylon stockings filled with dog food, jugs of oatmeal and alfalfa hay to attract minnows and other bait fish. Anglers catch mostly crappie from the heated docks. If they have plenty of time, customers can catch 20 to 60 fish a day with keepers averaging 9 to 10 inches long. In wintertime crappie usually suspend 15 to 20 feet deep in the brush below the docks. They will stay above the brush or drop down in the cover. The thickest brush usually holds the most fish. Minnows or jigs work best for dock crappie. White or chartreuse 1/32-ounce tube jigs or doll flies fished on an ultra-light rod and reel and 6-pound test line consistently takes crappie. When the fish suspend 8 to 12 feet deep, drop down to a 1/64th-ounce jig and 2-pound test line if the fish are hitting lightly. While using live bait, try a small- to medium-sized minnow on a number one gold Aberdeen hook. The light wire hook enables you to pull it out of brush easier, which cuts down on lost tackle. Whether using minnows or jigs, drop the bait straight down in the dock's well. Lower it to the bottom, then crank the reel two full turns. When fishing with a minnow, let the line sit to allow the bait to do all the work. Jig fishing requires a slight bouncing of the rod tip to create the lure's action. The crappie bite lightly and infrequently this time of year, so pay close attention to your line. Fishing from the enclosed docks can be good all year, even during the coldest months (December and January). For information on the heated docks and other lodging at the Lake of the Ozarks or to receive a free 162-page vacation guide, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at funlake.com. Copies of John Neporadny's book, "THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide" are available by calling 573/365-4296 or visiting the web site www.jnoutdoors.com.
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