Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks offers some of the best fishing in the United States. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Lake of the Ozarks are typically during the early morning and late afternoon, and the prime fishing months are from March to June and September to November, targeting species such as bass, crappie, catfish, and walleye.

Month	Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Location
January	The mouths of Gravois Creek are productive for crappie fishing, while the hump near Shawnee Bend is a popular spot for white bass.
February	The Osage Arm inlet is a prime location for targeting largemouth bass, and the beach area near Sunrise Beach offers good opportunities for catfish.
March	Fishing around the hump near Shawnee Bend is excellent for white bass, and the channel near Bagnell Dam is a hotspot for walleye.
April	The beach area near Sunrise Beach is a top spot for catfish, and Linn Creek Cove is known for its smallmouth bass fishing.
May	Deer Creek Cove is productive for crappie fishing, and the rocky structures around Linn Creek Cove are ideal for targeting smallmouth bass.
June	The Osage Arm inlet is a great location for largemouth bass, and the channel near Bagnell Dam provides good chances for walleye.
July	Fishing near the hump at Shawnee Bend is excellent for white bass, and the beach area near Sunrise Beach offers opportunities for catfish.
August	Linn Creek Cove is known for its smallmouth bass fishing, and the beach area near Sunrise Beach is productive for catfish.
September	The channel near Bagnell Dam is a hotspot for walleye fishing, and Deer Creek Cove is a top spot for crappie.
October	Fishing around the hump near Shawnee Bend is excellent for white bass, and the rocky structures in Linn Creek Cove are ideal for smallmouth bass.
November	The beach area near Sunrise Beach provides good opportunities for catfish, and Deer Creek Cove is productive for crappie fishing.
December	The channel near Bagnell Dam is a prime location for targeting walleye, and the mouths of Gravois Creek offer good chances for crappie fishing.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Lake of the Ozarks. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Lake Fishing in Lake of the Ozarks

Anderson Hollow Cove: This bay is productive for fishing largemouth bass and crappie in the spring and fall months.

Shawnee Bend: Shawnee Bend is known for its diverse fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish, with good fishing opportunities in the summer and fall.

Linn Creek Cove: This area offers excellent fishing for crappie and largemouth bass in the spring and fall.

Party Cove: Known for its lively atmosphere, Party Cove is also a great spot for fishing catfish and white bass in the summer months.

Horseshoe Bend: This area is productive for catching spotted bass and white bass in the spring and fall.

Grand Glaize Arm: Anglers can target catfish, crappie, and walleye in the Grand Glaize Arm during the summer and fall.

Pa He Tsi Cove: This cove is known for its abundant bluegill and catfish fishing opportunities in the spring and summer.

Greenview Cove: Fishing for largemouth bass and crappie is excellent in Greenview Cove during the spring and fall months.

Hurricane Deck Bridge: Anglers can target catfish and walleye near the Hurricane Deck Bridge, especially in the summer and fall.

Coffman Beach: This beach area is a hotspot for crappie and bluegill fishing in the spring and summer.

Deer Creek Cove: Deer Creek Cove is productive for fishing largemouth bass and crappie in the spring and fall.

Osage Arm: Anglers can find good fishing for catfish, crappie, and white bass in the Osage Arm during the summer and fall.

Pogue Hollow Cove: This cove offers opportunities for catching largemouth bass and crappie in the spring and fall.

Gravois Arm: Gravois Arm is known for its productive fishing for catfish, crappie, and white bass in the summer and fall.

Buck Creek Cove: Anglers can target largemouth bass and crappie in Buck Creek Cove during the spring and fall months.

Niangua Arm: The Niangua Arm is a popular spot for fishing catfish, crappie, and white bass in the summer and fall.

Sunrise Beach: This beach area provides good fishing for largemouth bass and crappie in the spring and fall.

Coffman Bend: Anglers can target catfish, crappie, and white bass near Coffman Bend, especially in the summer and fall.

Little Niangua Arm: The Little Niangua Arm is known for its productive fishing for catfish, crappie, and white bass in the summer and fall.

Bagnell Dam area: Anglers can find good fishing for catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass near Bagnell Dam throughout the year.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Missouri

These MO-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Real Deal Guide Service	Branson, MO
Eric’s Elite Guide Service–Branson	Branson, MO
Dave’s Guide Service	Branson, MO
Dodson Guide Service	Branson, MO
Payable Guide Service	Branson, MO
Chartered Waters	Branson, MO
Catch Mo Fish Guide Service	Branson, MO

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Hybrid Striped Bass

The best times to fish for hybrid striped bass in Lake of the Ozarks are spring and fall, particularly from April to June and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times for hybrid striped bass. Some of the best locations to target hybrid striped bass in Lake of the Ozarks include main lake points, humps, and areas with submerged structure where the fish tend to gather.

Musky

The best times to fish for musky in Lake of the Ozarks are during the spring and fall months, particularly from April to May and September to October. Musky are more active during low light conditions, so early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times of the day. Some of the best locations to target musky in Lake of the Ozarks include areas with submerged weed beds, rocky points, and drop-offs.

Largemouth Bass

The best times to fish for largemouth bass in Lake of the Ozarks are spring and fall, particularly from March to May and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times for largemouth bass. Some of the best locations to target largemouth bass in Lake of the Ozarks include areas with vegetation, such as coves, backwaters, weed beds, and submerged brush piles and docks.

Smallmouth Bass

The best times to fish for smallmouth bass in Lake of the Ozarks are spring and fall, particularly from April to May and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times for smallmouth bass. Some of the best locations to target smallmouth bass in Lake of the Ozarks include rocky shorelines, points, humps, and areas with clear water and strong currents.

Spotted Bass

The best times to fish for spotted bass in Lake of the Ozarks are spring and fall, particularly from April to June and September to October. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times for spotted bass. Some of the best locations to target spotted bass in Lake of the Ozarks include rocky points, submerged humps, and areas with underwater structure such as docks and brush piles.

Carp

The best times to fish for carp in Lake of the Ozarks are spring and summer, particularly from April to July. Carp are more active during the early morning and evening hours. Some of the best locations to target carp in Lake of the Ozarks include shallow areas with vegetation, such as coves, backwaters, and bays, where carp feed on aquatic plants and insects.

Catfish

The best time to fish for catfish in Lake of the Ozarks is during the warmer months, particularly from May to September. Nighttime and early morning are the most productive times for catfish. Some of the best locations to target catfish in Lake of the Ozarks include Bagnell Dam area, Gravois Mills, Linn Creek Cove, and areas near channel drop-offs and deep holes where catfish are commonly found.

Crappie

The best time to fish for crappie in Lake of the Ozarks is spring and fall, specifically from April to May and September to October. Dawn and dusk are the most productive times of the day. Some of the best locations to target crappie in Lake of the Ozarks include Coffman Beach, Linn Creek Cove, Shawnee Bend, and areas near submerged brush piles and docks where crappie tend to gather.

Walleye

The best time to fish for walleye in Lake of the Ozarks is spring and fall, specifically from April to May and September to November. Early morning and evening are the most productive times of the day. Some of the best locations to target walleye in Lake of the Ozarks include Gravois Arm, Niangua Arm, Linn Creek Cove, and areas near rocky structures and points where walleye tend to congregate.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Arkansas. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Missouri.

Best Fishing in Lake of the Ozarks on a Seasonal Basis

Spring

Coffman Beach: In the spring, Coffman Beach is a great spot in Lake of the Ozarks to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Niangua Arm: Head to the Niangua Arm area during the spring months for opportunities to catch smallmouth bass, walleye, and catfish.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park: This scenic area offers chances to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill during the spring season.
Bagnell Dam area: Fish near Bagnell Dam in the spring to target species such as catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass.

Summer

Party Cove: In the summer, Party Cove is a popular spot in Lake of the Ozarks to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish.
Grand Glaize Arm: Head to the Grand Glaize Arm area during the summer months for opportunities to catch smallmouth bass, walleye, and white bass.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park: This scenic area offers chances to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill during the summer season.
Bagnell Dam area: Fish near Bagnell Dam in the summer to target species such as catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass.

Fall

Party Cove: In the fall, Party Cove is a popular spot in Lake of the Ozarks to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish.
Gravois Arm: Head to the Gravois Arm area during the fall months for opportunities to catch smallmouth bass, walleye, and white bass.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park: This scenic area offers chances to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill during the fall season.
Bagnell Dam area: Fish near Bagnell Dam in the fall to target species such as catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass.

Winter

Gravois Mills: In the winter, Gravois Mills is a popular spot in Lake of the Ozarks to catch crappie, catfish, and bluegill.
Linn Creek Cove: Head to Linn Creek Cove area during the winter months for opportunities to catch largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.
Shawnee Bend: This area offers chances to catch crappie, catfish, and white bass during the winter season.
Bagnell Dam area: Fish near Bagnell Dam in the winter to target species such as catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass.

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