Catfish good on shad

Wipers fair on rattletraps off the dam

Crappie and Bass fair in flooded timber

April 4, 2005

This week’s fishing report will be an abbreviated version of our normal report. Rick has been out of town and not able to do a lot of the research for the report. So we will only report what we know to be fact. Rick will be back on the water next week and we will be back to our regular report on April 11th.

The weather this week has not been bad, but we have had some cool nights, which once again has held the water temperature down during most of the week. Earlier in the week the water temperature varied between 49.5 and 51 in the lower part of the lake, 53 to 55 in mid-lake and cooler at 50 to 51 in the upper lake. Later in the week the water temperature rose to 52 to 55 in the lower part of the lake with some temperatures reported at 60 in the Theodosia Arm. Lake level is at 653.72, which is about one-half foot below normal pool.

Crappie have pulled out from most of the brush piles and are holding halfway back in the creek arms over deep water. They have been caught on jerk baits such as Lucky Craft Pointer 78’s and small crankbaits such as a Wiggle Wart. The crappie that have been caught this week have been big slab crappie, averaging 1 to 1½ pounds.

The White Bass are pushing shad back into cuts and pockets but as yet are not frenzy feeding. With the water temperature rising, if the water temperature holds, the White Bass should be on their feed this next week. Be ready with a Pop R or a Roadrunner when you go fishing.

The trout on the lake have become quite active this past week and are being caught on Lucky Craft Pointer 78’s and Suspending Rogues.

The largemouth bass and Kentucky Bass are swimming together and are holding on pea gravel point areas in 10 to 22 feet of water. Slow rolling a spinnerbait in shad color or using crankbaits in a green crawdad color has triggered some nice bites this week.

The smallmouth bass are in 20 to 25 feet of water next to ledges and are reacting to a Suspending Rogue, in a purple color.

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 have been very elusive this past week. The FLW pros and co-anglers have been pre-fishing all week and have found several techniques to catch one or two, but no real pattern has evolved from their efforts. At this point hard baits such as Lucky Craft Pointer 78DD’s, Rogues, Glass Shad, Rapala X-Raps and Wally Divers are catching some. With this week’s warmer weather a pattern should emerge and the walleye should be move from their hiding places. The water temperature has reached the magic number, so we will report how they do this week during their tournament.

The FLW Outdoors Walleye Tour is here on Bull Shoals April 6th through the 9th. Monday April 4th, there will be a demonstration of Garmin Electronic products at Wilderness Trail from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A representative from Garmin and an FLW Walleye Tour Pro will be in the store to answer your questions and demonstrate how to use your electronics.

Fishing for trout on the White River has been good this past week. When there is not much generation, Berkley Power Eggs in yellow, orange and pink have done well. With generation the Little Cleo’s, and Krocodiles are the bait of choice. The fly fisherman has done well on small chrome domes, peach egg pattern and scuds. The Brown trout are being caught on Countdowns, Shad Raps and nightcrawlers.

Remember to keep only what you can eat and release the rest for another day. 

CLOSED DUE TO RENOVATIONS

Will re-open in 2008

Crappie good minnows and small light colored jigs over crappie beds.

Bluegill fair on wax worms

Catfish very good on Nightcrawlers in coves after rain.

Walleye fair at night on Rapala firetiger

No Report

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 Catfishing is really good catching alot of blues and channel on cut bait in 15-20 ft of water. Bigger fish on live bait you can catch a limit in a few hours mostly good eater only a few over 15lbs its all I can due to keep up with 3 rods that good fishing.

Lake Level : 607.27
Last Weeks Lake Level: 606.17
Normal Lake Level : 606

Water Condition: Dingy - Muddy

Surface Water Temp: 52

There should be at least one courtesy walkway in place at each of the boat ramps that normally have them. Despite some rain yesterday, it wasn't enough to get the rivers excited. The water temps have been far ranging this past week, however the recent warm weather has given the water a much needed boost in temperatures. Several reports had the main lake temp at about 45 degrees, while the upper reaches were as warm as 60.

Some fishermen have experienced boat problems at the ramp. Prior to your first outing this year, make sure you have everything checked out and in good working condition.

The crappie reports have still been spotty, however it is on the verge of getting better. Last weekend most fishermen struggled to find them, while some caught several small ones. The fishermen that caught crappie reported catching anywhere from 40 to 100. The most reported size is about 8 inches, with enough 9 to 10 inch crappie to make a meal. Monday and Tuesday we had some better reports, which gives reason to believe the crappie fishing is starting to heat up. The crappie are still scattered, with some being caught at 5 feet deep, while others are finding them along bluffs about 12 feet deep. The bite has been very lite, keep a finger on your line and feel for a very lite tap. Occasionally raise the line and feel for resistance, or watch your line for any subtle changes, such as going slack. With the cold water temps, the crappie have been pretty sluggish. Any branch on the south side of the lake could prove productive, look for banks that get good day long sunshine, with good heat gathering objects, such as large trees and rocky banks. Bridge piers gather warmth and could be worth trying. As for bait, minnows or jigs tipped with minnows. Crappie nibbles are very helpful. Black/Chartreuse or Blue/White tube jigs have been the most popular color combos. As always, be patient and don't give up too soon, however move on if the crappie are not cooperating within a reasonable amount of time.

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

Bass fishing has been tough. The few reports have not been encouraging yet, however the season is young and the water temps are still cool.

We haven't heard much from cat fishermen this week. The water flow into the lake is low. The warm, sunny days, along with the warm winds will rapidly heat shallow areas of a lake, which are warmer than the nearby deeper waters. Look for wind blown shallow banks, the warmer water and food gathers there. Catfish love these conditions, moving out of the deeper, colder areas of the lake to feed themselves. If you don't have any bites for about 30 minutes, try a different area. Shad sides is an excellent choice under these conditions, the smellier the better.

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POMME de TERRE

Updated 04/07/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 839.0 Temperature:  56

Inflow: 570 cfs Outflow: 100 cfs Level: 1.69 feet high

Lake Map

Black Bass fair on brown or black soft plastic baits or jig & chunk 8-15' deep around structure, rock banks and off points

Bluegill fair on jigs, minnows, crickets and worms around structure and docks 8-10' deep

Catfish fair on trotlines and limb lines using crayfish, worms, cut shad and bluegill off channels

Crappie fair on chartreuse, white or yellow jigs or minnows 8-10' deep around stumps and fish attractors

Walleye fair using yellow or chartreuse horse head jigs and deep running lures up river, off points and on riprap 8-20' deep

White Bass slow up river trolling silver chartreuse jigs and spinners

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PONY EXPRESS

Updated 04/07/05

Temperature: 56   Clarity:  Level: high and dingy

Lake Map

Largemouth Bass: slow 

Channel Cat:  slow  

Bluecat: slow  

Bluegill: slow  

Crappie: slow  

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SEVER

Updated 04/07/05

Water Temp: 61

Lake Map

Crappie: fair using minnows 

Blue Catfish: No Report 

Channel Catfish:  No Report 

Largemouth Bass:  No Report 

Bluegill: No Report 

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SMITHVILLE

Updated 03/31/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 864.2  Temperature: 46

Inflow: 25 cfs Outflow: 8 cfs Level: 1.74 feet low

Lake Map

Report by Burton's Bait and Tackle

Water Temp:46 degrees and 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: Fair: They are starting to spawn. I heard of several keeper fish being caught on the evening of 3-25. Most of the fisherman are fishing the face of the dam but a few are being caught around the rocks on the bridges.

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STOCKTON

Updated 04/07/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 867.7 Temperature: 50

Inflow: 1200 cfs Outflow: 1027 cfs Level: 2.16 feet high

Lake Map

Report By: Square Deal Bait Shop  

Black Bass fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and stickbaits

White Bass fair on small crankbaits and Road Runners. 

Crappie fair on minnows and small jigs

Walleye fair on crankbaits and stickbaits off the main points

Dee Dee

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TABLE ROCK

Updated 04/07/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 915.0 Temperature: 58-65

Release Rate: 3175 cfs. Level: 2.76 feet low

Report by: Pete's Professional Guide Service

WATER LEVEL - 913.02 Normal Pool 915'
WATER TEMP. 57-60 - Main Lake, 58-65 - Rivers

Kimberling City, Baxter, & Dam Area
Fish are on beds all over the lake, the split shot and Mojo rig are starting to work real well. I fished 8'-15' deep on main lake and secondary gravel points, also single tail grubs fished on 1/4 oz. heads. Grub colors-salt & pepper, smoke, smoke w/blue flake. Some fish are starting to bite on top water baits-Zara Spooks, Storm's Chug Bugs, Ambush's Pop A-long around the same areas you are split shooting. Try flukes, floating worms and Senko's in spawning pockets and backs of creeks around bedding and cruising bass. Best split shot baits are 4" worms, in green pumpkin, watermelon, and 3"-4" craws and twin tail grubs. Some areas are covered with moss, try drop shooting to keep bait off bottom or fish a little deep, outside the moss line.

James River, Long Creek, & Kings River
Same as main lake, but some spinnerbait fish are being caught in the backs of creeks slow rolling 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits under schools of shad in 8'-12'. On some days I'm seeing a lot of bass fry in the rivers. The Carolina bite and topwater bite should pick up in these areas where there are more post spawn fish. Fish are on beds all over the lake, the split shot and Mojo rig are starting to work real well. I fished 8'-15' deep on main lake and secondary gravel points, also single tail grubs fished on 1/4 oz. heads. Grub colors-salt & pepper, smoke, smoke w/blue flake. Some fish are starting to bite on top water baits-Zara Spooks, Storm's Chug Bugs, Ambush's Pop A-long around the same areas you are split shooting. Try flukes, floating worms and Senko's in spawning pockets and backs of creeks around bedding and cruising bass. Best split shot baits are 4" worms, in green pumpkin, watermelon, and 3"-4" craws and twin tail grubs. Some areas are covered with moss, try drop shooting to keep bait off bottom or fish a little deep, outside the moss line.

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TANEYCOMO

Updated 04/07/05

Temperature:  Level:

Report by River Run Outfitters

GRAND OPENING Celebration for our new location! Come join us! We will have reps from Orvis, Sage/Redington and others on hand to answer questions - fly tying demos from area tiers - hot dogs - casting help - drawings and door prizes - but most of all FUN! APRIL 30, 2005 - activities run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. WHERE? Our new location - 2626 State Hwy. 165

GENERAL COMMENTS

Running at least two generators 24 hours a day for the past several days. Based on information I received from one of the hydraulic engineers at SWPA, they are attempting to maintaining the water level at the Branson Landing construction site at an elevation of 701 feet or less until the work near the water is completed. This means they will probably hold the tailwater (up near the dam) at 707.7 or less during this process.

Water Conditions: Over the past six days, they have held the level at pretty much 707.7 or lower. A few nights, they have turned it off at midnight for 4-6 hours.

FLY FISHING TROPHY AREA (dam to Fall Creek)-SHALLOW WATER-WADING-

With the water staying pretty constant, the fish are holding up in the normal high water places. We have had trips on the water every day and fishing has been very good. Saturday and Sunday they held the water at 705.5 or so and we were able to wade. Fishing was very good on red or hot pink San Juan worms and olive woolly buggers. Had to get the worms deep and they were taking the woolly on the drift or at the end on the swing. We were casting the woollies cross current, had one #1 split shot on about 16-18 inches up. Mending, and letting drift with the current. Actually caught very few stripping the woolly. Everyone caught 20-30 fish each afternoon. Nice fish from 14-18 inches. During the week, with the water at 707.7 or so and fishing out of the boats, we have done well on the zebra size 18 midges in rust and olive and the red size 16 red tunghead have been the best flies. Several 17 to 18 inch fish caught this past week.

STAN'S TIP: New regulations for most of the trout streams went into effect March 1. Read up on these changes. Specifically for Taneycomo, if you keep legal size fish, the limit is now 4. Also, a trout permit is required for anyone fishing above Highway 65 bridge.

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THOMAS HILL

Updated 04/07/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 722.00 Clarity:  Level:

TRUMAN

Updated 04/07/05

Lake Elevation at Normal Pool: 706.0 Temperature:  54

Inflow: 2400 cfs Outflow: 4458 cfs Level: 0.68 feet high

Lake Map     Braggin' Board

Not yet but they have to be getting close. This isn't the way I was thinking the fishing report would start this week. We had a nice warm rain last night and the air temp. has been holding steady for the last couple of days so the water is getting real close to where it needs to be. I have heard the tree frogs at night, the turkeys are gobbling and the red mushrooms are up so the crappie have to start real quick. I usually do the fishing reports on Wednesday but what I am going to do is what ever day it happens I will do another report so it might not hurt to check your favorite fishing report web page every couple of days so you don't miss any of the action.

WATER LEVEL: 706.66

WATER TEMP: 54 deg.

WATER CLARITY: Stained but fishable.

BASS: The bass fishing is picking up. The was a 19lb. stringer caught this weekend. The rogue bite is starting to slow up but the jig and spinner bait bite is producing some real good fish. Guide Steve Blake brought in a 7 lb. bass this week caught on a red and black jig. The fish have been coming out of 2' to 6' of water. Main lake points with deep water close by are holding good fish. Transition banks, (where rock turns to dirt) are also starting to produce. The secret now is to move the bait real slow. Steve said that big bladed spinner baits are also working but you have to move them just fast enough to turn the blade. With the warming water temp. we should start to see some fish moving to the nitches close to the mouths of the creeks.

CRAPPIE: It's slow but it is just a matter of a few days it this weather will hold before we see the crappie start to move to the creeks. You might try fishing the creek channels where the flats but up next to them. Fish the outside trees in about 8' of water with jigs about 4' deep. This works good this time of the year when the crappie start moving. Talk about timing, Marty Zych just came in and said they started in the back ends of the creeks up Big Tebo.

He said they were all males and were about a foot deep. Chartreuse and black jigs. Clear creek and Brush creek. He said they were just starting so this weekend should be good.

WHITES & HYBRIDS: No report.

CATFISH: We are still seeing jug fish. They had a couple more 20 lb. fish this week. Cut shad set about 12' on the flats has been the best bite. I haven't heard of any rod and reel fish yet.

Grand River Arm

Updated 04/08/05

Lake temp: 44 degrees depends on the sun shine

Report for Grand River Arm by Bucksaw Marina 

Crappie fishing is picking up some fish are being caught in the creeks 10ft or water or more. The fish that are coming in are big crappie. The best way to catch crappie is fish the creeks and keep on the move. Don't spend a lot of time in one spot jump tree to tree fishing cedars and hedges. Remember keep on the move.

Bass are being caught on spinnerbaits and crankbaits, fishing creeks and pockets. The fish are shallow 1 to 3ft of water. Most fish are around laydowns or big stumps.

Catfish some are being caught on cut bait in the mouths of the bigger creeks. Put your line in 10ft of water or more and fish 8ft down. Mostly white cats coming in.

Wont be long the fish will be spawning. The water is stained very fishable

Crappie No Report

Bluegill slow

Catfish good using nightcrawlers at night around rocky areas

Note: On the waters of Wappapello Lake & its tributaries, all Walleye & Sauger must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bass under 11" (daily limit 6) to reduce the numbers of small bass in Wappapello lake.

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