Winter Fishing Report for Lake of the Ozarks 2024: Targeting Bass, Crappie, and Catfish

If you're planning to hit the waters of Lake of the Ozarks today, December 8, 2024, here's what you need to know: First off, let's talk about the daylight hours. Sunrise is at 7:13 AM, and sunset is at 4:55 PM, giving you about 9 hours and 42 minutes of daylight[2][5]. The lake doesn't have tides, so you don't need to worry about that. Instead, focus on the fish activity which is quite good this time of year. For bass, particularly largemouth and spotted bass, the best times are during the spring and fall, but winter can also be excellent. Yesterday, anglers reported catching bass using jerkbaits off points and pea gravel banks. Topwater baits during low light periods, plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are your best bets[1][3]. Crappie fishing has been slower due to drought conditions affecting recruitment in 2022 and 2023, but you can still find some good spots. Focus on brush piles, especially those near points, and use small jigs or minnows. About 75 percent of both black and white crappie on the Glaize Arm were over the 9-inch minimum length limit as of the fall of 2024[1]. Catfish action remains steady, with channel catfish active from April through September and blue catfish active year-round. Drifting with live or cut shad on days with a light breeze works well. For blue catfish, fish in open water, several feet off the bottom, and be aware of the protected slot length limit. For channel catfish, keep your bait near the bottom and close to the shoreline[1]. If you're after white bass or hybrid striped bass, try windy points, submerged islands, and long, sloping points using artificial lures or shad. The spillway section of Bagnell Dam is a hot spot for various species, including white bass, black bass, catfish, walleye, and crappie[3]. For today, consider heading to the Niangua and Glaize Arms for bass, or the brush piles on points for crappie. The mouths of coves, deep flats, and river channel breaks are prime areas for catfish. Don't forget to check out the public access areas and the spillway section of Bagnell Dam for some great shore fishing. Enjoy your day on the lake This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.