The only thing that could make the fishing better at Lake of the Ozarks...A good rain storm...Which we are getting today. The increase of water and current from the generation put the bass in predictable locations..Main lake structure.
Lake level: 659.0 with heavy generation today. The generation depends on the amount of rain we get. Bagnell has been wanting to taper it off to medium generation. But some rain should keep the flow going.
Water temps: 83-88 degrees
Gravois and Dam area to the Toll Bridge. Clear. Since they closed the flood gates at Bagnell the fish have moved a little deeper on structure. There still has been heavy generation which is keeping those fish on that main lake structure. Their just deeper on it. Down by the Dam and in the mouth of the Gravois the fish are the deepest in the lake. You can catch fish in 10' there. If there is brush on the structure. But the majority of the fish are down in 18'-30' range. Main lake structures in the form of points, humps, ledges and channel swings all are holding fish. When I start on a structure spots I see if I can catch one of the top of it with a deep diving crankbait (DD 22) These baits work good from 10'-16' range. For the deeper stuff I go to a 3/4 oz football jig, 10" worm with a 5/16-3/8oz weight and a drop-shot. You need to hit a few spots before you find the good ones.
Glaize: Clear to stained. The structure bite is also good in the Glaize. But the current isn’t as strong there. So the bite isn’t as good as the main lake because of that. Fish are holding deep on structure in brush. 10" Power worms and heavier football jigs are taking the most fish. You can also catch a few fish on deep divers like the DD 22. The DD 22 seems to be best in the morning and on cloudy days when the fish are a little more aggressive.
Nianguas: Mostly clear with a little stain. The best bit is in the first couple of miles of the Niangua. Where it meets the Osage. This is because of all the current Bagnell and Truman Dams are pushing through this system. It actually sucks the nutrients out of the Nianguas and into the Osage. This brings a strong current across the structure around Hwy 5 bridge. The baitfish set up on the structure to feed on the nutrients being washed by the current. The bass go to the structure to feed on the baitfish. That is how that current effects the food chain. Fish the points, humps and ledges from 8'-25'. 10" worms, Carolina rigs, deep crankbaits all are taking quality fish.
Osage River: Muddy to stained. There has been on and off strong current from Truman Dam in the upper portion. The rest of the river is in good shape. It is a little clearer since they closed the flood gates. And the main river fishing is a little slower. But there is still some good fish on the points and ledges in the main river. The current has been pulling the fish out of the creeks into the main river all summer. They are shallower in the river portion of the lake on the main lake structure. 6'-15'. Big worms, jigs and medium depth crankbaits all are productive.
Thanks and Good Luck!
Note: Fishing is Great throughout the summer here at Lake of the Ozarks. And you don’t need to fish at night to catch good quality fish. If your interested in learning how to catch quality fish on Lake of the Ozarks book a trip with me at Bassfactory Instructional Fishing Trips and see what you been missing. Bassfactory@Charter.net
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