by Samara Abrams

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: September 06, 2011

Whether you're a pro interested in competing in a bass tournament or a vacationer wanting to relax on a dock with your reel in hand, you'll have a wide variety of opportunities on the Lake of the Ozarks 54,000-acre reservoir. Competitive anglers and beginning fishermen alike enjoy the prospect of catching largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, and catfish if one species isn't biting, more than likely another one will be!

Fishing season is pretty much year round on the Lake, however, spring and fall are generally the best times to get the big catch. In cool, spring waters anglers should use deep diving crankbaits and jig lures. As the water warms, topwater lures provide for fiery strikes that excite fishermen of all levels. Once the bass spawn, usually in late April or early May, plastic worms can replace the crankbaits and surface lures. During the summer, you can find bass around the deep points, drop offs and docks. Fishing can be tough around this time with all the pleasure boats out on the water. As the weather begins to cool following the long summer days, October and November send the bass to the shallow waters for additional fishing action.

Without a doubt, boat docks are the most popular targets for bass anglers at the Lake. If nothing is biting at one, there's another just a short distance away to try from. However, by mid-June, the warm water and sunshine drive the bass back into the deep water. Although not as popular as the docks, many lake points contain a variety of artificial brushpiles and rock cover, and since most bass anglers can't seem to pull themselves away from the docks, the deeper features aren't fished nearly as heavily as they should be. Overall, there are no special areas of the Lake to go to in order to catch any particular species. Even though it's a big lake, fish are pretty much spread throughout it. The best recommendation would be to find a spot, learn it well and no doubt, you'll be successful.

If you don't want to have to try to figure it out on your own, feel free to call on one of the independent fishing guides who operate at the Lake. These professional anglers will take you directly to the hot spots, and provide you with lunch, tackle and bait. For those who aren't all that interested in hooking their own wiggler or cricket, a fishing guide is the way to go!

Due to the various fish species and wide area to catch them, Lake of the Ozarks is home to over 500 amateur and pro bass fishing tournaments every year. The Lake is on multiple regional and national bass tournament circuits and also hosts many local and charity competitions as well. End of June, Lake of the Ozarks will be hosting the Bassmaster Weekend Series. In September, the Big Bass Bash will take place with a $100,000 payout at stake. And in October you'll find the Stren Series coming to town for a four-day fishing tournament. These are just a few of the largest events to hit the town be sure to check the local calendar before you head out to see what may be going on while you're there.

Don't forget that a Missouri fishing license is required for everyone (except Missouri residents over age 65 and under age 16). Also, be sure to check on the local laws as there are minimum lengths and daily limits that must be abided by.

Anyone you talk to that has fished Lake of the Ozarks will tell you that this spot has the right features for a magnificent fishing vacation. And, of course, when you're ready to get off the dock or boat, there's an abundant variety of places for you to eat, drink and further take pleasure in your stay.

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