Catfish-good-shad sides, nightcrawlers

Hybrids-fair-rattletraps

Crappie-fair-jigs tipped with wax worms, small minnows

March 14, 2005
Follow the bouncing ball describes last week’s weather pattern. First it was in the 50’s, then the 40’s with cold rain, then along came some 60’s with a high of 80 on Saturday and then back into the 40’s by Sunday. The real story was the wind, 20 to 30 miles an hour for three days. That condition made it a little tough to spend any quality time on the water. The upside was the heavy winds drew up the conversion layer of water and mixed it with the surface layer, now if we can get some steady warm days the lake will start its spring warm up. The water temperature dropped, then rebounded to 49 degrees and even some 50’s by Sunday. Lake level this week is 654.00, just barely below normal pool.

White Bass are holding in the first deep water (45 to 60 feet) drop offs at the back of the creeks. Spoons are the key bait to trigger a few and soon with some weather help the Whites will move to the backs of the creeks. Crappie moved off the brush piles this week and returned to the points at the entrance of the cuts and coves. The bite was very slow and the best bait was crappie minnows on a bare hook.

Largemouth bass have not made any change from last week. They continue to roam the banks and points feeding as they move. Wiggle Warts and Bandit crankbaits are working on windy days and Spider Jigs or football jigs in 20 to 30 feet of water is your best bet otherwise.

Smallmouth bass were crazy this week. We caught keeper smallies from 3 feet of water out to 45 feet of water, there just is no pattern. Wiggle Warts and Bill Norman’s Little N’s work around northern points, Lucky Craft 78DD Pointers and Suspending Rogues work well along chunk rock banks that drop off into 35 to 40 feet of water , Spider Jigs and tube baits worked the best in 25 to 45 feet of water off points.

Kentucky Bass continue to travel with the shad although more Kentuckys were caught around chunk rock secondary points this week than we have seen this year. They are feeding on or at least looking for crawdads around the chunk rock. Spoons will still trigger the Kentuckys with the shad and tubes or Spider Jigs will work on the bank roaming Kentuckys. Also try slow rolling a 3/8 oz. shad spinnerbait for shallow swimmers.

Entry blanks for the PWT are available at Wilderness Trail and Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock. Now is the time to get your entry in. Spots for co-anglers are filling up fast. The PWT tournament will be May 11 through the 13th. The PWT will once again operate from Bull Shoals Boat Dock and the weigh ins will be held every day at the dock. The weigh ins are very exciting and should not be missed.

Walleye were around secondary and main lake points in 32 to 42 feet of water. With the four days of high winds we have not been able to check them. So, if you get out this week start with Reef Runners or Glass Shad on lead core line in 32 to 42 feet of water around points. We will have an update for you next week. .

The FLW Outdoors Walleye Tour will be coming to Bull Shoals April 6th through the 9th. You can pick up more information and entry forms at R&H Marine in Bull Shoals and at Wilderness Trail. This tournament will coincide with the opening of the new Wal-Mart Super Center in Flippin. There will be lots of activity around Bull Shoals Lake. Two FLW Outdoors Walleye Tour Pros will be at Wilderness Trail on Thursday March 31st from 6:30 to 8:30 to answer questions on walleye fishing. Come on in, have a cup of coffee and talk to the Pros.

Fishing for trout on the White River has been good this past week. When there is not much generation, Berkley Power Eggs in yellow and pink have done well. With generation the Buoyant spoon, Little Cleo’s, and Super Dupers are the bait of choice. The fly fisherman has done well on olive Woolly Buggers, sow bugs, scuds, peach egg pattern and San Juan worms. The Brown trout are being caught on suspending rogues, Shad Raps and Countdowns. .

Crappie- No Report

Catfish -No Report

Bass No Report

Crappie fair-small bright jigs, small minnows

Catfish-fair-shad guts

Walleye-poor to fair off dam-crankbaits

AmerenUE reports the current lake level at 656.53 with heavy generation scheduled for the next three days, which according to AmerenUE should give the lake a level of 656.3 by Friday, March 4th. The water temperature taken at Bagnell Dam is 42 degrees. The main lake and some of the coves off the main lake are is still muddy, but the Big and Little Niangua and Gravois Rivers are clearing with visibility ranging from 2 to 4 feet. The Grand Glaize is muddy from the Osage River down to about the Ft. Leonard Wood recreation area where it is beginning to clear towards PB#1. The water temperature in the Osage River averages 38 to 42 degrees with the larger tributaries having surface temperatures ranging from 44 to 48 degrees. A cold front moved into the lake area today, which will probably drop the water temperature a few degrees, but the forecast for the rest of the week is a warm front moving in with temperatures in the mid 40's and 50's by this coming weekend.

LARGEMOUTH BASS - GOOD Since the warm weather moved in last week bass fishing has improved. The best bite has been the medium diving crankbait, Bandit, Wiggle Wart and DLN (crawdad and chartreuse colors) worked on channel banks with large chunk rock and on flats near the channels swings. The bass have been right on the bank out to about 8 or 10 feet. The best method has been paralleling the bank and working the crankbait with a slow retrieve. The jig, tube bait and twin tail Chomper (brown/black, brown/chartreuse, black/blue and green pumpkin) seem to be the better colors worked in 8 to 15 feet of water around docks and on the same type of structure where the crankbaits are producing. A few bass are being caught on the suspended jerk bait in the clearer water off secondary points and flats near the channel swings, but the crankbait and bottom baits are producing better. Lately the most productive area has been the Big and Little Niangua Rivers, but the Grand Glaize is beginning to turn on and producing some nice keepers.

CRAPPIE - SLOW The crappie being caught have been suspended over brush in 12 to 25 feet of water, but seem to be scattered or just stubborn. Two or three crappie caught out of one brush pile seems to be the limit then the bite stops. It's taking a lot of brush piles to get a mess. The best bite is the Road Runner and tubes (white, white/red head and chartreuse combinations) worked very slow and minnows. Tipping the baits with Crappie Nibbles seems to help.

03/22/05

Catfish Reports by: Anthony Ford: Catfish & Spoonbill Guide

Here is a spoonbill fishing report for the first week fish are spread out lake is 6ft low spoonbill not move up river thing should improve when water starts running I was out this morning count 73 boats no fish on a single boat

Fishing on Lake of the Ozarks is slow for blue cat water level changing daily smaller fish biting steadly on cut shad bigger fish on live shad spoonbill season is open fishing below 65hwy bridge impossible lots of boats for cats catching alot spoonbill along mud flats 1st of week

Date: 3/22/05
Lake Level : 606.1
Last Weeks Lake Level: 606.1

Normal Lake Level : 606

Water Condition: Dingy - Muddy

Surface Water Temp: 49

The water temperature is still a bit cold for the crappie to start biting aggressively, but they are definitely on the upswing.  Some days are better than others, but the northern branches are your best bet.  Sandy and Shell creeks are a good place to start.  If you're bound and determined to fish a south branch, you might try Lick Creek along with the Dry Fork, as the sun usually warms them early.  Any place on the south side could prove productive if you fish by an overhanging rock or  large tree on the northern banks with lots of sunshine.  If it's not too windy, the bridge piers are always a good place to try. If you're not familiar with the lake, you will definitely want to spend your time in the northern coves.  As for bait, minnows or jigs tipped with minnows or crappie nibbles are best.  Pink, white and neon crappie nibbles are the most popular with neon being the most chosen.  As always, be patient and don't give up too soon!

Follow this link to an excellent article about spring time crappie fishing on Twain.

Bass fishing is still very slow.  Not many have been out fishing, but the few who have dared have been disappointed.

Now if you're just out to catch fish and want some action, you might try catfishing way back in the South Fork.  Many fishermen are catching them on rod and reel by boat and even from shore.  Shad sides.

Happy fishing and good eating!!

Article about Crappie Fishing on Mark Twain

Flathead No Report

Largemouth Bass No Report

Stripers No Report

Crappie No Report

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool:  Temperature:  

Check out river bottom lures we stock 8 colors in 4 and 6 inch
Check out the new lx bow by Matthew's

The boat pass price changed to $5.00 day pass and $35 for the year also 

Come in and see the new switchback bow from Mathews

You guys do a real good job on the web site

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 839.0 Temperature:

Inflow: 250 cfs Outflow: 500 cfs Level: 0.70 feet high

Black Bass No Report 

White Bass No Report 

Crappie No Report 

Catfish No Report 

Muskie No Report 

Walleye No Report 

Bluegill No Report 

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Temperature: Clarity:  Level: high and dingy

Largemouth Bass No Report 

Channel Cat  No Report 

Blue cat No Report 

Bluegill No Report 

Crappie No Report 

Water Temp: 

Crappie No Report 

Blue Catfish No Report 

Channel Catfish  No Report 

Largemouth Bass  No Report 

Bluegill No Report 

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 864.2  Temperature: 40

Inflow: 20 cfs Outflow: 8 cfs Level: 1.97 feet low

The entire lake and all ramps are open.

CRAPPIE: Fair to Good: The fish seem to be scattering. They are less concentrated and you have to work a little harder for them.

BASS: A few keeper bass have been caught. Only a few people fishing right now so it should improve as the water warms.

CATFISH: The Catfish in the Little Platte river arm of the lake are biting. Some nice channels and a few blues are being caught on shad sides.

White Bass: Fair: Some are being caught around the docks by the crappie fisherman. The run up the river should start soon.

WALLEYE: No Report YET! But they are getting closer!!!!

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 867.7 Temperature: 42

Inflow: 1000 cfs Outflow: 3300 cfs Level: 1.98 feet high

Report By: Square Deal Bait Shop  

Black Bass No Report

White Bass are starting to run

Walleye No Report

Crappie are starting to hit pretty good about dawn and just at dark

Catfish No Report

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 915.0 Temperature: 44 -50

Release Rate: 3468 cfs. Level: 2.76 feet low

Fish are staging all over the lake, there still doesn't seem to be one area or arm of the lake that is better than the other. Many of the same patterns seem to be working all over the lake, is I'm not going to break them down into areas. Main river arms have some color (stain), crankbaits are working better in these areas, but will also work in the clearer water if overcast or windy. Best crankbaits seem to be Storm Wigglewarts, & Pradco's Bombers-6A-7A, in crawdad patterns (green & red). Finding fish on secondary points, channel swings in the creeks, & water for rock transitions from chunk rock banks to pea gravel banks. Some days fish are 3'-6', others like this weekend when cold front came in, they were 8'-12'. Try some Team Supreme jigs or Eakins jigs in brown & black.

Some fish are being caught in the areas a little deeper, 15'-25' on football jigs-Brown/Purple & Brown /Green. Split shot or Mo Jo rigged watermelon or green pumpkin Team Supreme French Fry's. Jerkbaits fished on secondary points in 5'-8', over 15'-25' of water are producing big fish, but the bites are few and far between. 3"-5" Team Supreme grubs in smoke, pearl, salt & pepper, and watermelon colors working on main lake and secondary gravel points fished 15'-25' deep. Some days fish are suspending over deeper water and submerged timber, and other days they have been right on bottom. Watch for schools of shad, if sare are suspending the bass should also be. I'm not saying by any means that fishing is easy right now, you have to work hard, but the rewards can be great. Fishing is just going to keep getting better and better as the water warms and fish move into spawn

Crappie are still biting great. I've found it best in stained water in Long Creek & James River, I haven't been in the King's or Upper White recently. Fish have been 3'-8' in submerged timber in the creeks and 5'-12' deep on main river flats. Small tubes working good, road runners and beetle spin in a variety of colors.

Good Luck!!

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Temperature:  Level:

Report by River Run Outfitters

GENERAL COMMENTS

Still running water...but, turning it off late at night for 5-6 hours.

Water Conditions: Four during the day, but it appears they are turning it off around 10:00 to ll:00 p.m. and leaving it off until 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. Beaver is now at 1120.3 and Table rock is 914.3. Beaver is still cutting back generation; running 1 or 2 generators for a while and off for periods of time. No rain forecast for a few days. Let's hope it stays dry so we can see a normal Taneycomo again ! !

FLY FISHING TROPHY AREA (dam to Fall Creek)-SHALLOW WATER-WADING-
Boats out Friday and Saturday and they had all pretty good day. Found fish up on the grassy area of the island across from KOA camp ground. Didn't find a thing in the channel behind the island. Still doing best below the Pointe Royale island on the main lake side. Caught most of our fish on the size 16 red tunghead midge but also caught some in all areas fished on the size 18 zebra midges in olive or rusty brown. The lay-up on the Pointe side downstream and about 1/2 mile up from the stairs going down to the water from Fall Creek seems like it is going to be a consistent spot, at least for a while. A nice cutback is created there when the water is high. Real calm water for the fish to lay in. Fisher are still catching nice fish early in the a.m. with the water off.

STAN'S TIP: For all of us boaters on the water while it is high, and even at normal levels...be considerate of other fishers on the water. The '"special management area" is not very wide. With some boats coming through wide open, a lot of wake is created from both the boat and the bounce off the banks. Also, we're seeing a lot of slot limit fish being kept as well as the use of illegal bait. This great fishery is a gift to all of us. Let's protect it. If you see someone in violation of the regulations, give the game wardens a call. Quinton - 417-294-5543 or Buck - 417-546-2990

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Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 722.00 Clarity:  Level:

Temperature:

  Lake Map

Crappie No Report

Bass No Report

Channel cat No Report

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 706.0 Temperature:  45

Inflow: 7700 cfs Outflow: 8250 cfs Level: 1.18 feet high

I will be doing the weekly fishing reports every Wednesday during the season. Lets hope that they will all be good and lots of fish will be caught. I am looking for a good fishing season here on Truman this year. We have had a real mild winter and have seen some shad popping already on the warm days. After the storm last July Jim and I didn't get to do much fishing but we are gearing up for 2005 big time. We will be running the Tues. night hawg fights starting in April. I will post a starting date a little later. This weeks report will be a little short due to the cool water and not many fishermen out. I will use the same format as last year with lake conditions and then the fishing report. 

Lake Level: 707.28
Water Clarity: Stained. Pomme, light stain, very fishable.
Water Temp: 45 deg.

BASS: The bass are starting to hit jerk baits on the Pomme arm around the cedars. Work the 8' area next to drop offs. In our area you might try a jig on the main lake points in 6' to 12' of water on the steeper banks. If you throw a jerk bait in this area you might want to go with a gold color. There has been a couple of Tourn.> on Truman and the winning stringers are running in the 13# area which for this time of the year is pretty good. We have Team Supreme out this weekend so we should have a good idea of what's going on around here.

CRAPPIE: Guide Steve Blake has been catching some nice crappie off the brush piles on main lake out of 20' of water. Fish are down about 12'. He has been using all jigs. With the weather patterns we are looking at now I would say we should have fish starting to move in the creeks in another week.

WHITES & HYBRIDS: No Report

CATFISH: Dick Caton a local fisherman has been doing good on jugs set 9' deep on the flats using little smokies. He had a couple fish right at 20# this week. Haven't heard of any rod and real fish yet. That's going to do it for this week from Sterett Creek Marina

So till next week we bid you good fishin

Tommy

Lake temp: 

Crappie are being caught in the creeks in water 10 to 20 feet of water fishing around 8ft deep. Black and chartreuse are the best colors to use if you go fishing go creek to creek don't spend a lot of time in one spot.

Bass are being caught in pockets and creeks using jerkbaits and spinnerbaits 1 to 3 ft of water. The water is stained and the water temp is 43 in the morning as the day warms up it gets to be 52

Crappie No Report

Bluegill No Report

Catfish No Report