Good morning, folks. This is Artificial Lure, and I’m here to give you the lowdown on fishing at Lake of the Ozarks today, November 16th. The sun came up at 7:12 AM and will set at 7:24 PM, giving us a solid 12 hours and change of daylight. The moon is in its waxing gibbous phase, and visibility is about 50%, so don’t expect crystal-clear water, but it’s still plenty fishable.

The weather is mild, with a slight chill in the air and water temps cooling down, which is actually a good thing for bass and crappie. According to the latest fishing reports, big bass and crappie are biting well right now, especially in the coves and around brush piles. The bite has been steady, and anglers are reporting good numbers of largemouth and smallmouth bass, along with some nice crappie and a few catfish mixed in.

For lures, the spybait is still a hot ticket, especially for those finesse bites. Pros like Aaron Martens swear by the Duo Realis Spinbait 80 and 78 Alpha, fished slow and steady with a medium spinning rod and 5-7 pound fluorocarbon. If you’re looking for something more traditional, spinnerbaits and umbrella rigs are working well, especially around docks and rock piles. Don’t forget to try some soft plastics and crankbaits, too—locals are having luck with both.

As for bait, live minnows and nightcrawlers are always a solid choice, but if you’re chasing bass, try a jig or a plastic worm rigged Texas style. For crappie, small jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms are hard to beat.

Two hot spots to check out today are Jennings Branch Cove and Bagnell Dam. Jennings Branch is great for crappie and bass, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Bagnell Dam is a classic spot for big bass, and the current around the dam can really fire up the bite.

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This is Artificial Lure with your Lake of the Ozarks local fishing report for Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Chilly fall air rolled in overnight, and as of this morning, we’re looking at temps in the low 40s, heading up toward the mid-50s by afternoon. Winds are outta the north-northwest at about 8-12 mph, with gusts topping 15. It's partly cloudy now, but expect some sun by midday — good news for those wanting a little warmth as they wait on a bite. Sunrise was at 6:49 AM, and sundown will sneak in at 5:03 PM.

Tidal swings don’t apply to the Ozarks, but don’t count out water level changes; the lake is low and clear, with minimal flow from dam generation, so bass and crappie are pulling tighter to structure, especially riprap, docks, brush piles, and the steeper bluff banks. As most longtime locals know, November marks the start of reliable cool-water action — especially for largemouth, spotted bass, and slab crappie.

Folks fishing in the AFTCO Bass Blitz last week brought in solid mixed sacks, dominated by largemouth and spotted bass, with the big fish in the 4- to 5-pound range, according to coverage from Major League Fishing and recent tournament weigh-ins. Most successful anglers reported working finesse jigs and shaky heads slow and tight to deep docks, as well as chunk rock points. Top baits included Crock-O-Gator football jigs, small swimbaits like the Keitech 3.8-inch, Ned rigs with Z-Man Finesse TRDs, and, when the sun hit high, suspending jerkbaits in shad or translucent patterns.

Crappie have pulled out from the shallows and can be found on main-lake brush piles in 15 to 25 feet of water. Electronics are your best friend right now — use side imaging around mid-lake and up the Niangua arm for the biggest piles and schools. Folks vertical jigging with Bobby Garland Baby Shads or live minnows just above the brush are reporting limits in two hours or less. Early and late bites are best, but overcast skies can keep ‘em fired up a bit longer. A local YouTube tip from Midwest Outdoor shows how scanning deep brush for active marks can make for a banner crappie day right now.

Some walleye have come shallow chasing shad at first and last light — targeting main lake points and secondary gravel flats with jigging spoons or 1/4-ounce Fuzzy Grubs tipped with a minnow will get you a chance at a bonus fish.

Looking for hotspots? Target:
- The Gravois Arm: Docks and brush in 20-28 feet are loaded with crappie and the occasional brute bass.
- Niangua Arm around the 15-20 mile marker: Key on inside turns and bluff ends — bass and walleye are feeding.
- The area behind Bagnell Dam in the mornings: Active shad, some stripers, and lots of bass roaming.

With deer season kicking off around the region, don’t forget to stay visible around the more wooded coves. Keep your lifejacket snug and your coffee hot!

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Lake of the Ozarks greeted anglers this Friday morning with classic mid-November chill—temps standing in the upper 40s at dawn, reaching to the mid-50s by midday, and a reliable south wind working in about 8–12 mph. The overnight rain gave way to patchy clouds, which should break up into late afternoon sunshine. Today’s sunrise hit at 6:47 a.m. and sunset’s lined up for 4:59 p.m. No tidal shifts to worry about on the Lake, but water level’s steady post-rain.

The lake’s holding in the low 60s for water temp, just right for fall fishing action. Fish are feeding up ahead of winter and the shad are thick in the main pockets, especially those secondary points about three-quarters back in the coves. Bass have been on the move and reports from local guides say the bite picks up quick once the sun punches up over the timber—midday to early afternoon has been prime time.

In the last 48 hours, folks have hauled respectable numbers of largemouth and spotted bass—a steady run of solid 2- to 4-pounders. Tournament chatter puts the best success around mid-lake, with some top bags weighed on 3/4-ounce Crock-O-Gator Football Jigs paired to a NetBait Paca Chunk Sr., and that old reliable buzzbait, especially in shad and bone white, running hot with the cloud cover and wind chop. Don’t put away the lipless rattlers—fall is notorious for surprise runs on the Aruku Shad Jr., and plenty of good-sized bass are falling for them in the shallows lately. Spinnerbaits in natural shad or flashy chartreuse have made their mark, especially just off wind-blown docks, and swimbaits in Tennessee Shad are a solid fallback.

For crappie chasers, the bite has perked up on standing timber and brush piles at 10–15 feet. Bobby Garland Baby Shad (Monkey Milk color is the ticket) plus live minnows are drawing bigger slabs than usual this year. Folks out at the Gravois and Niangua arms report good messes coming in, with most keeper fish hitting the box by mid-morning.

Catfish are still moving, but slowing down as temps drop; best action lately has been off major creek channels with cut shad and shrimp. Nighttime bank boys are still landing a few chunky blue cats on fresh bait and big hooks.

If you’re looking to shake things up, a paddle-tail worm or Johnson Silver Minnow, especially in gold or silver tipped with a twin-tail grub, will get you bites through submerged grass or off points—bass haven’t seen much of it lately and will strike out of curiosity.

Best baits for the day:

- Crock-O-Gator Football Jig with soft plastic trailer
- Buzzbait (white, chartreuse, bone)
- Lipless crank (Aruku Shad Jr.)
- Spinnerbait (shad color)
- Monkey Milk Baby Shad for crappie
- Live minnows for slabs
- Cut shad or shrimp for cats

Top hot spots right now:

- **Gravois Arm:** Docks and creek channel edges for crappie and bass.
- **Niangua Arm:** Secondary points and brush piles for slabs and schoolie bass.
- **Between the toll bridge and PB2:** Look for bass on wind-blown pockets and docks—midday is best.

Remember to check creel limits and area regs, get your permit, and be mindful of fellow anglers—etiquette keeps the Lake a gem for everyone. Weather is brisk but no fronts moving in, so it’s a good day to bundle up and chase the bite.

Appreciate everyone tuning in to today’s Lake of the Ozarks fishing report—don’t forget to subscribe for regular updates, tips, and local news to keep your tackle box dialed.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Today’s forecast is classic mid-November Ozarks: expect early temps in the low 40s climbing to upper 50s by afternoon. Skies are mostly clear, winds light out of the northwest—great for dock fishing. Sunrise hit at 6:47 a.m. and sunset’s about 4:59 p.m., so you’ve got short but prime windows of daylight.

For water conditions, Bagnell Dam has the lake level steady at 657 feet, typical for late fall, and surface temps are hovering right around 65 degrees. There’s no tidal swing here—just that steady generation from the dam, ideal for triggering active bites in the main arms and around creek mouths.

Bass fishing is still strong as the fall feed tapers off. Recent tournament results at the Toyota Series finale show pros hauling in some quality sacks—Jared Lintner won it last weekend with a whopping 51 pounds, 8 ounces over three days, with daily bags from 15 to 19 pounds. Dennis Berhorst and Andy Newcomb trailed close behind in the upper 40-pound range. Anglers were pulling 12-20 bass per day, but keeper bites were harder to come by as the bass get choosier late in the season.

It’s all about matching the hatch. With the shad schools on the move, bass are tight to isolated main lake docks, especially those near points. Lintner’s “milk run” dock pattern had him covering 40-50 docks a day, using a mix of reaction baits and jigs. Chatterbaits like the Z-Man Jack Hammer (white/gold blade with a white Yamamoto Zako trailer) and swim jigs in blue magic and white consistently put fish in the boat. Flipping jigs (old-school brown) into deeper dock stalls picked off the occasional kicker.

For more finesse, guides are still leaning on the 3/4-ounce Crock-O-Gator Football Jig with NetBait Paca Chunk trailers, and 1/2-ounce ball heads rigged with big soft plastics like the Deps Sakamata Shad. Whopper Ploppers scored two big 4-pounders for co-anglers last weekend, so topwaters can still make magic in low-light stretches.

Crappie are fair to good in the Glaize arm and around Gravois, especially in the early morning—use small jigs tipped with minnows or Bobby Garland Baby Shads in chartreuse.

For catfish, jug lines set in deeper coves with fresh cut shad or bluegill are producing above-average blues, especially in the mornings as water temps cool.

Best hot spots today are:
- **Gravois Arm:** Shad are pushed up, so docks near main lake points and creek mouths are loaded.
- **Niangua Arm:** Isolated docks and flats with chunk rock—perfect late fall spots for both largemouth and spotted bass.

In summary: target isolated docks, match your baitfish, and don’t be afraid to hit new water. Bass are moving shallow and stacking up for their last big feed. Bring the chatterbaits, flipping jigs, and a topwater or two for the early sun and dusk. Most successful anglers are covering water—quantity beats patience right now.

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Artificial Lure here with your November 11th fishing report from Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Sunrise hit at 6:51 AM and sunset’s at 5:03 PM, so you’ve got a good window for prowling the banks. Weather’s classic mid-November—upper 50s to low 60s, winds light out of the west, patchy clouds. Water temps are hovering in the low 50s, and with no tide to worry about, focus on adapting to wind and sunlight for fish positioning.

Recent tournament action proves it’s been a grind but also a playground for folks who know the tricks. Cole Breeden just took home top prize at the Toyota Series event after landing 13 pounds, 7 ounces on the final day and a full 40 pounds, 13 ounces over the week. Lots of pros zeroed, but steady persistence paid off—most solid bass are holding tight to brush or rock near the bottom, often 15 feet deep or more, hunkered down after last week’s shad die-off.

Breeden put on a clinic dragging suspending jerkbaits, letting that line sink slow to keep his bait right above those bigger bucketmouths. When the bite got tough, switching to a float ’n’ fly rig—a 1/8-ounce homemade bucktail under a slip bobber—was the ticket, letting it ride above brush until those cold-blooded Ozark bass got curious. Patience and long casts are key right now, and if you’re fishing deep, let your bait soak. According to Major League Fishing, other tried-and-true baits working well around the Lake this November include swimbaits, umbrella rigs, and classic jigs.

Catch reports from the past week? Mostly largemouth in the 2-4 pound range, with bags in the low to mid teens during tournaments. Some anglers are pulling up bonus smallmouth and spotted bass off main lake points and deep channel swings, but numbers aren’t high—when you get bit, it’s likely a hefty fish. Nighttime fishing is slow, but early mornings and late afternoons are prime, especially around transition banks.

If you want to stay local, here’s what’s been hot:
- **Points with brushpiles**: Fish are stacking on deeper transitions. Try the Grand Glaize arm and Osage Beach coves for consistent bites—look for secondary points with submerged timber.
- **Docks with deep water access**: Target docks with adjacent ledges—the old-school approach is flipping a green pumpkin creature bait, and adding a dab of orange or chartreuse really helps with that final pop.

Best lures for the week:
- **Suspending jerkbait**: Slow, methodical retrieves, letting it hang in the strike zone.
- **Float ’n’ fly rig**: Perfect for dialing in finicky bass.
- **Swimbaits and umbrella rigs**: Mimic those dying shad and get reaction bites.
- **Jigs**: Tip them with craw trailers around brush and docks.

Looking for a couple solid hot spots? Head for Coffman Bend—it’s holding deep brush and transition water where tournament winners are quietly stacking their bags. The Grand Glaize arm near the state park marina is another winner—low traffic, plenty of cover, and fresh fish moving in from the main lake.

Word from FishingReminder is that major bite times today hit around 7-9 AM and again late afternoon, so plan accordingly. Sun’s angle plus that cooling water means you’ll find those big ones hanging low, so keep your presentations slow and your patience high.

No matter your method, remember: finesse wins in tough November conditions at Lake of the Ozarks. Big bags are there if you’re willing to grind and adjust.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure, your local Lake of the Ozarks fishing insider. Be sure to subscribe for next week’s update, and as always, this has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot ai.

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Artificial Lure here, your go-to for what’s biting on the Lake of the Ozarks this November 10th. Let’s dive in while the coffee’s still hot and your line’s ready for action.

Sunrise hit at 6:49 AM this morning with sunset rolling in at 5:02 PM. No tides to speak of, but today we’re looking at a classic Ozarks late-fall pattern—mid-40s at launch with a brisk breeze around 10 to 15 mph out of the northwest. Clouds hang heavy, and barometer’s steady but might drop as the afternoon wears on, which just might trigger that bite window.

Fishing’s been a grind for most, but if you know where to look and what to throw, you’ll have more than cold hands to show for it. The recent Toyota Series event proved just how tough the bite is—Cole Breeden managed to bring in 13-pounds-and-change per day by finding fish stacked near the bottom of brush piles and coaxing them with a suspending jerkbait. This cold snap and the autumn shad die-off mean bass are hunkered down, but if you can trigger a school, you could double up quick.

Tournament pros and locals both say it’s mostly a **keeper largemouth show**, with a handful of smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass in the mix. Don’t expect numbers—43 pros blanked during the tournament last week—but the quality is there. Top anglers weighed bags near 15 to 19-pounds, usually five fish. Word is, you’ll need to grind for every bite, but a kicker over 5 pounds is possible if you pick your spot right.

**Best baits this week:**
- **Suspending jerkbait** is the ticket for suspended and bottom-hugging bass. Make extra-long casts and let the line sink to get deep. Go natural shad or translucent patterns to match the forage and water clarity.
- **Float ‘n’ fly** with a tiny jig—in particular, a feathered or bucktail 1/8-ounce head—set under a slip bobber can coax finicky fish when temps plummet.
- **A-rig (umbrella rig)** is drawing swipes from bass roaming mid-depth, especially near points or brush piles.
- **Jigs and swim jigs**, in green pumpkin, blue magic, or brown, worked along isolated docks with deep water nearby. Jared Lintner recently piled up solid bags hitting 40 or 50 docks a day using a swim jig with a white trailer and a heavier flipping jig.
- **Chatterbait/Jack Hammer** in white with a Zako trailer is also working when wind’s up and water’s stained around main-lake docks.

**Bait tips:** Minnows and shad-imitating soft plastics are best. Toss live bait below docks or deep brush if artificials just won’t trigger ‘em.

**Recent hot spots:**
- **Grand Glaize arm**, targeting brush in 15-25 feet. Breeden found schools hugging the hard spots and brush in this stretch.
- **Lower Osage channel docks** near the main lake—especially the big isolated ones close to a main-lake point—are still holding fish. Fish the dock corners and walk your jig slow.
- Another local favorite: **Gravois Arm** with its deeper docks and transition banks—good for both swimbaits and jerkbaits on calm days, with a shot at a bonus spotted bass.

Don’t overlook fishing deep inside the brush piles. Electronics like LiveScope are key for finding groups, but even then it’s slow work—let those jerkbaits pause and always be ready for the bite when you least expect it.

To sum it up: Bring your patience, dress for the wind, and keep moving from spot to spot. The bite might be slow, but a persistent angler can still boat a limit or find that lunker hugging the bottom.

Thanks for tuning in to your Lake of the Ozarks fishing fix. Don’t forget to subscribe for more local insight and stay sharp on the water—this is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and safe launches.

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Artificial Lure coming to you on a cool late fall Sunday, November 9th, 2025, with the latest fishing report from Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The sun rose at 6:43 this morning and you’ll see it set tonight just after 5:00 PM. We’re fishing under a waning gibbous moon, with the major bite windows running early—best action right around sunrise, between 6:20 and 8:20 AM, with another flurry near dusk, 6:36 to 8:36 PM according to FishingReminder.

Weather’s classic autumn Ozarks—highs topping out in the mid-60s, low 40s by evening, mostly clear skies and just a whisper of a northwest breeze ruffling the main lake. Water temps are sitting in the upper 50s. No tide out here, folks; it’s all wind and moon.

Bass remain the main target as the late fall transition sets in. Local tournaments this week reported plenty of keepers, with several boats catching limits in the 12 to 16-pound range, including a few chunky largemouths over 4 pounds. Crappie are biting, mostly mid-depth on brush piles near secondary points and docks—good slabs coming in between 10 and 14 inches. Anglers working deeper creek channels are still finding scattered schools of hybrids and white bass, and the occasional walleye.

Right now, the hot baits for bass are wakebaits and crankbaits in shad patterns, plus green pumpkin soft plastics fished Texas-rig or free rig, especially creature baits and worms. Major League Fishing highlighted the wakebait bite—slow retrieve with natural or sexy shad colors, especially where the wind puts a chop over clear water. If it clouds up or gets windy, reach for the brighter colors. Top pros are running 7-foot medium to medium-heavy rods, throwing mono for topwater or fluorocarbon for cranks.

Crappie anglers are using 1/16 oz jigs tipped with minnows, focusing on brush piles in 10–20 feet. Night bite’s still good around dock lights near Jennings Branch Cove and Watson Hollow Cove. The biggest slabs were landed with chartreuse and purple tubes.

Hot spots worth hitting today:
- Bagnell Dam tailwaters—early AM for white bass and hybrids, live shad best.
- Jennings Branch Cove—brush pile crappie, active until mid-morning.
- Osage River arm docks, especially behind blue springs, are loaded with largemouth and spotted bass chasing shad.

Don’t overlook the brush piles between Lotell Hollow and Pogue Hollow—local sticks keep hauling in quality crappie and spotted bass all week. If you’re after numbers, the Grand Glaize arm is producing steady action on bass and crappie.

Remember, fish slow and deliberate as water cools. Spinnerbaits, jigs, and small swimbaits are putting bigger bass in the boat near midday. And don’t forget to check your electronics for shad balls—where there’s bait, there’s bites.

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Good morning, anglers—Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

We’re kicking off the day with a crisp and calm late-fall bite. According to FishingReminder, **today’s sunrise hit at 6:42 AM and sunset will be around 5:00 PM**—plenty of daylight for those of you chasing that mid-morning or late afternoon window. The major fish activity times today are **6:20 to 8:20 AM and again at 6:36 to 8:36 PM**, with minor flurries in the early afternoon, so plan your casts accordingly.

Weather-wise, it's a classic Ozarks fall—expect morning temperatures in the mid-40s climbing into the mid-50s, light winds around 5–10 mph, and a mostly cloudy sky. No tide report, of course, since Lake of the Ozarks is a reservoir, but keep an eye on water clarity and any floating debris from recent rains.

Let’s talk fish. Bass fishing is the main event right now, and recent outings right here on the lake—like the crew at Mid Missouri Angling just showed on November 6—have seen solid action on **largemouth** and some chunky **spotted bass**. Reports mention good numbers of fish being caught off points and secondary coves, with the occasional 4-pounder thrown in for excitement. Down on the Niangua Arm and around Little Niangua, anglers are also picking up a mixed bag: some feisty crappie, a few bonus white bass, and even the odd catfish down deep.

**Best lures right now?** The fluke-style soft plastic minnow is a hot ticket for fall bass—run it on a Texas rig, Carolina rig, or a simple jig head and twitch it around docks, laydowns, and bluff ends, as highlighted by YouTube angler tips this week. Spinnerbaits and squarebill crankbaits are producing when water has a chop, and don’t be afraid to throw a suspending jerkbait when the wind kicks up. For crappie, it’s all about small jigs in chartreuse or white fished over brush piles in 10–15 feet of water.

Live bait fans: **medium shiners or fathead minnows** for crappie, and cut shad for the catfish bite—especially after those cold fronts push through.

For those looking to maximize their time, here are a couple of hot spots:

- **Niangua Arm & Little Niangua Arm**: Consistently productive for both bass and crappie; target the brush piles and rocky bluff transitions.

- **Libby Cove and Linn Creek**: Both holding good numbers of bass and some hefty blue catfish down deeper on cut bait.

And if you’re wanting to try something different, don’t overlook the access points like Blair Bridge or Sycamore for quieter bank fishing or a shot at some of those overlooked panfish, with the Missouri Department of Conservation keeping those spots in great shape.

The fall turnover is settling down, so fish are getting more predictable. Key is to fish slow, stay persistent, and capitalize on peak activity times. Keep an eye out for bird activity, too—a flock of gulls diving might just lead you to a feeding frenzy of bass or whites.

That’s it for today—thanks for tuning in to your morning from Artificial Lure. **Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a bite or a hot tip.**

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Artificial Lure here with your boots-on-the-dock fishing report for Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, Friday November 7, 2025. The weather’s crisp this morning—temps in the low 40s, climbing into the upper 50s by midafternoon, with light northwesterly winds and a chance of passing clouds. Sun rose at 6:42 AM and won’t duck behind the bluffs until 5:01 PM. There’s no tidal action here in the heartland, but bass and baitfish know winter’s knocking.

Right now, Lake of the Ozarks is in classic fall transition. Water temps are dipping into the lower 60s, and the clarity ranges from stained in the creeks to clear on main lake points. Surface activity has picked up since that last cold snap: shad are balling up in coves, drawing everything from crappie to bass. According to the Toyota Series results and Major League Fishing recaps from late September, we’re solidly into the feeding window—recent tournaments saw impressive bags of largemouth and spots, some pushing 5 pounds.

Bass are biting strong on secondary points and toward the back halves of creeks. Hit the boat docks and brushpiles mid-morning, especially if you spot shad flickering; both largemouth and spotted bass are schooling up, often mixed. Locals have been hammering the fish with **creature baits, big jigs (black and blue), spinnerbaits, and shad-patterned crankbaits**. For the deeper bite, try a drop shot with a 4-inch worm or the ever-popular shaky head. Veteran guide Mike “Dock Rocker” Berhorst says don’t sleep on docks with brush—creature baits with chartreuse dye on the tails are money right now, especially for mimicking bluegill.

If you’re after **crappie**, focus on brush in 15 to 25 feet. Most folks are starting at sunrise and wrapping up before noon. Reports show nice slabs up to 2 pounds still biting jigs, but minnows are king. Chartreuse, white, or monkey milk colors in 2-inch plastics are getting it done. Some of the best hauls are coming off standing timber just outside creek mouths, and if you can locate a brushpile on a channel swing you’re likely to fill a limit by breakfast.

Catfish are still biting, especially on the main river channel and around chunk rock banks. Tried-and-true **stink baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad** are your best bet, fished on the bottom as the sun brightens up. Night bite’s tapering off as temps drop, so hit ‘em in the late morning or early afternoon.

Want a couple of hot spots? Try **Gravois Arm near Coffman Bend**—dock brush and channel swings are loaded with both bass and crappie. And over toward **Hurricane Deck Bridge**—deep-water docks adjacent to steep banks have held schoolers all week. Locals are keeping quiet, but word is Big Niangua near Larry Gale Access is still pumping out some bonus white bass and the odd walleye on chrome jigging spoons.

Quick gear recap: For bass, sling a ½-ounce jig or a green pumpkin creature bait; for crappie, stick with minnows or monkey milk baby shads. Catfish—cut bait and nightcrawlers win the day. The bite slows toward dusk but gets frisky again when the wind picks up.

That’s the skinny from the docks, folks. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for more Lake of the Ozarks scoop.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Thursday, November 6, 2025, and folks, it’s fall fishing at its finest out here in mid-Missouri.

We kicked off the morning at a brisk 32 degrees; sun’s been up since just before 6:40 AM and we’ll lose daylight around 5:00 PM. The lake’s holding steady at 657 feet and those mid-60s water temps are perfect for firing up the fall bite. Skies are mostly clear, winds light—couldn’t ask for much better. No tides to worry about on Lake O, just that classic autumn drop creating shallow brush and changing the dock game.

With the First Quarter moon just past, fish are active, especially at dawn and dusk. Fishing Reminder’s got your prime windows pegged at 6:20–8:20 this morning and 6:36–8:36 tonight, and let me tell ya—the bite has lined up with those major feeding times.

Reports from The Lake Sun and local tackle shops say black bass are a little moody but more than catchable. Spinnerbaits and flat-sided crankbaits are getting attention in the coves, especially near brush or on those rocky secondary points. Major League Fishing agrees: slow roll a white or chartreuse spinnerbait, give a bladed jig some work, or crank a shad-pattern squarebill on banks in the 8–12 foot range. When it’s calm, downsize to a Ned rig or shaky head for bonus bites.

Crappie continue to scatter but stay willing—most are suspended 10–20 feet down on docks and brush piles. The Gravois Arm and mid-lake brush are steady for fish up to 12 inches, with minnows and white or chartreuse 1/16-ounce tube jigs doing best. These slabs are following bait, so look for deeper docks or isolated cover.

Catfish chasers, set your cut shad 20–30 feet down along those main channel swings or bluff ends, especially after dark. The night bite’s been downright solid.

White bass and hybrids are chasing shad in the backs of coves by late afternoon. Get in on the action with small spoons or white grubs—just follow the bird activity or watch for boils and keep your rod at the ready.

Best bait rundown as of this morning:
- **Bass:** White/chartreuse spinnerbaits, shad or craw-squarebills, pumpkin finesse jigs, and when it slicks off, reach for a Ned rig.
- **Crappie:** Live minnows on slip bobbers or 1/16-ounce tube jigs.
- **Catfish:** Fresh cut shad near current seams.
- **White bass/hybrids:** Small metal spoons, white curly tail grubs.

Tournament chatter and local regulars are swearing by Wrights Creek and Fish Hatchery Cove for numbers and quality bass—if you want a chance at a good one, put those spots high on your list. Watson Hollow Cove is the place for late-afternoon crappie and white bass, while cedar-studded docks up the Niangua Arm are holding some real slabs. If you’re after early morning surface action, check out the water below Autumn Lake Dam for breaking white bass—don’t blink, or you’ll miss ‘em.

The fall drawdown’s pulled some docks high and dry and put shallow brush right in the strike zone—adjust accordingly and don’t be afraid to move with the fish. Remember to follow all Missouri Department of Conservation regulations and be respectful around private docks, especially as folks button up for winter.

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Reporting from the water this morning, it’s Artificial Lure with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing update for Wednesday, November 5th, 2025.

We woke up to a crisp start near 32 degrees, with sunrise lighting up the banks just before 6:40 AM and sunset set for a little after 5:00 PM. Water temps are sitting around the mid-60s near Bagnell Dam, and lake level holding steady at 657 feet. Skies are mostly clear, the air is cool, and light winds make for perfect boat control—ideal autumn conditions.

The First Quarter moon is just behind us, so fish are active, especially during the early morning bite. According to Fishing Reminder, major bite windows are 6:20–8:20 AM and 6:36–8:36 PM. Night fishing’s been productive thanks to bright lunar conditions, which means don’t pack up at sunset—those dock lights and points will be hopping after dusk.

Now, the catch report. The Lake Sun’s latest says black bass remain on the slower side, but you’ll get bit on spinnerbaits and flat-sided crankbaits in the coves—especially around brush and secondary points. Major League Fishing agrees, with spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, and squarebills working over rocky transition banks. Target 8–12 feet, and don’t be shy about casting parallel to the bank for those late fall feeders.

Crappie are scattered but willing, mostly being caught 10–20 feet down around docks and brush piles, using live minnows or white and chartreuse jigs. Anglers working deeper docks mid-lake and up toward Gravois Arm report mixed bags, with some slabs pushing 12 inches.

Catfish remain solid on cut shad set 20–30 feet deep along main channel swings and bluff ends. The night bite is best.

White bass and hybrids are pushing bait into the backs of coves late afternoons. Small spoons and white grubs are the ticket if you catch them chasing shad.

Best baits right now:
- for bass, try white or chartreuse spinnerbaits, craw or shad-colored squarebills, and finesse jigs in pumpkin or green pumpkin; if it gets slick calm, go with a Ned rig or shaky head on rocky points.
- For crappie, stick to minnows or 1/16-ounce tube jigs.
- If you want a trophy blue or flathead, set fresh cut bait near creek mouths or channel edges after dark.

Local tackle shop chatter highlights recent tournament bags coming from Wrights Creek and Fish Hatchery Cove—these are prime if you want numbers and shots at big bass. Watson Hollow Cove is another hotspot, especially for crappie and white bass late in the day. Up the Niangua Arm, cedar-laden docks are holding crappie, and don’t miss the early morning surface action around Autumn Lake Dam for breaking whites.

As a reminder, the fall drawdown means some docks are a little out of water and brush piles may be shallower than usual—adjust your presentations accordingly.

Always check regulations and respect posted areas, especially around private docks and marine reserves.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025. We’re waking up to a classic Ozark fall morning—crisp air, patchy clouds, and the wind carrying the first hints of winter over the water. With lows dipping below freezing last night and temps struggling to climb out of the low 40s early on, anglers are finding a stiff bite to go with their first hot coffee. Reaching for the heavy jacket is a must today, but don’t let the chill keep you off the water—the fall transition bite is still going strong.

Sunrise hit right around 6:43 this morning, and you’ll see sunset at 5:07 this evening. There’s plenty of daylight for an old-fashioned Ozark full-pull, just be ready for a pretty brisk north wind around 8-12 mph, and scattered clouds. According to FishingReminder, we’re looking at a waxing crescent moon phase with major feeding times from 1:46 a.m. to 3:46 a.m. and then again from 2:16 p.m. to 4:16 p.m. If you’re heading out later in the day, you’ll want to key in tight to that afternoon major window, especially around rocky points and steep drop-offs.

Bass continue to be the dominant story. The recent Cops & Bobbers Tournament and chatter at the marinas point to solid numbers of chunky largemouth being pulled from secondary points and backs of creeks. Jigs and worms are the steady winners—Major League Fishing reports most of the top sticks in the latest Ozarks events are still leaning on half-ounce football jigs in green pumpkin, as well as big worm setups Texas-rigged in watermelon or red shad. Crankbaits are a reliable bet, especially craw-colored and shad patterns bounced along transitions from gravel to chunk rock. Don’t be afraid to slow-roll a spinnerbait around docks in the afternoon once things warm by a degree or two, especially near brush piles.

Crappie anglers are picking off some nice limits, mostly from 10-15 feet on deeper brush in coves and at the ends of docks. Minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad in white/chartreuse have been hot. The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds everyone that fall is a prime time to harvest a few slabs for the fryer—just mind your length and bag limits.

The hot spots right now: Fish Hatchery Cove is delivering mixed bags of bass and crappie, especially as schools of baitfish stack up around submerged timber. Watson Hollow Cove is a sleeper for those targeting big bass with jigs or shaky heads in deeper water. If you’re after a little elbow room, head over to Grand Glaize Arm—several local sticks reported close to double-digit keepers fishing jigs slow on bluff ends and main lake points.

No tides to worry about, just classic Ozark drawdown and a little fluctuating water from Bagnell Dam. Water clarity ranges from stained in the river arms to clear on the main lake by the dam, so match your colors accordingly.

In summary:
- Top lures: **Football jigs** (green pumpkin), **Texas-rigged big worms**, and **crankbaits** in craw or shad colors.
- Best bait for crappie: **Live minnows** and **soft plastics** like Bobby Garland Baby Shad.
- Active areas: **Fish Hatchery Cove**, **Watson Hollow Cove**, and **Grand Glaize Arm**.

Bundle up, pack a thermos, and get ready for some of the prettiest and most rewarding fishing of the year on the Lake of the Ozarks. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for your daily bite, and may your next cast be picture-worthy.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for November 3, 2025. Fall’s finally taken hold—lows dipping below freezing overnight, so dress for brisk mornings and frost on the dock. The sunrise was at 6:43 AM, and we’ll see sunset at 5:05 PM. With daylight on the wane, plan those outings to hit the key feeding windows.

We’re sitting just past the first quarter moon—a Waxing Gibbous today, lining up prime major bite times from about 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM and again 5:48 PM to 7:48 PM, with a minor mid-day window 12:59 PM to 2:59 PM. According to FishingReminder, fish activity is moderate, but those feeding periods should be productive, especially as temperatures hover mid-40s in the morning and crest toward the upper 50s under mostly clear skies by afternoon.

On the water, the lake’s still cooling—reports from the region put surface temps about 55 degrees. This colder snap is bringing shad in closer to the banks and the backs of coves, lighting up the classic fall patterns. The best bite is happening around boat docks and brushpiles, a tactic that delivers season after season, as Major League Fishing regularly points out.

Bass fishing is the main attraction right now. Over the past week, local tournaments and social media have seen plenty of 2- to 4-pound largemouths showing up in anglers' bags, with the occasional kicker pushing past five pounds. Don’t overlook the spotted bass either—they’re schooling in deeper pockets and along main lake points.

For presentation, now’s the time to downsize and key in on shad-imitating baits. According to seasoned pro Tommy Biffle, you can’t go wrong with small swimbaits like the 3- to 4-inch Keitech Easy Shiner in a shad pattern, rigged on a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce ball head. Toss jerkbaits along shaded docks and brush, especially the old-school silver and black or something with a little chartreuse for stained water. Spinnerbaits in white or baitfish hues are catching fish around windy main lake points—slow roll 'em along rock transitions.

If the topwater bite’s on, especially mid-morning when the sun warms the surface, try a Zara Spook or Whopper Plopper along the edge of large docks. Just remember, as the wind picks up, bass push even tighter to cover and may hit more aggressively.

For crappie, anglers are still pulling good numbers. The latest from the OzarkAnglers forum says folks are catching quality slabs—11 and 13 inches common—by slow-trolling crankbaits along deeper brush in the Gravois and Niangua arms. A few walleye have been mixed in, running 20 to 21 inches; they’re biting best early with shad-imitating jigs or small crankbaits.

Catfish action slows but stays steady—focus on cut shad or live sunfish fished on the bottom around channel swings or deeper flats at night.

Hot spots this week:
- The Grand Glaize arm—hit docks just upstream from the Highway 54 bridge where the bait’s stacked up.
- Coffman Bend area for early-morning crappie around submerged brush and deep docks.
- Main lake points near the 14- to 18-mile mark are turning up quality bass, especially when the wind’s right.

Be mindful—lake traffic’s way down, but check your running lights if you’re out early or late. The freeze warning remains in effect tonight, so watch out for icy ramps and dock planks first thing.

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Artificial Lure here with your November 2nd fishing report for Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. A crisp start to November has really put the bite on, and local anglers are seeing some classic late-fall action.

Sunrise this morning came at 7:37 AM, with sunset due at 6:06 PM. No tides to report naturally, but weather is the big story. A freeze warning was in effect overnight per KRMS Radio, with lows around 28°F, so bundle up if you’re heading out early. Daytime highs should reach the lower 40s; the skies are mostly clear and a light wind is stirring around the coves. The chilly snap is pushing fish into traditional fall patterns, especially on main lake points and dock pilings.

Fishing activity’s picking up as water temps drop into the low to mid 50s. Bass have been biting well around brush piles and dock corners, often holding tight to cover as they fatten up for winter. Lately, anglers have been boating solid limits of largemouths, with many in the 2 to 4-pound range. Last week’s Toyota Series event crowned some serious champions here, and recent reports suggest plenty of healthy fish swimming in these waters.

Crappie anglers are finding hungry fish suspended 10-15 feet down over deeper brush, with several stringers coming in over a dozen keepers each, best fish measuring 12-13 inches. White bass are hitting around creek channel bends; they chase shad as the sun warms the shallows midday.

Top baits right now? For bass, locals favor a ½ or ¾ ounce pitching jig like the E-Factor, tipped with a McCarty Baits Raptor, or a Swimbait Garage Hyper Shad for covering open water. Crankbaits are also dynamite—try a Berkley Choppo or similar in shad and natural colors, burning them along dock edges or slow-rolling in deeper water. Fall’s also prime time for buzzbaits, frogs, and toads, especially early or late, as Major League Fishing’s bass pros proved this season.

For crappie, hit brush piles and docks with a small chartreuse-and-white tube jig on a light jighead, or tip it with a minnow for extra appeal. Don’t ignore live bait; a small shiner will often out-fish artificials as temps drop.

If you’re after numbers, Osage Beach is a solid bet—Fish Hatchery Cove and Watson Hollow Cove have been turning out steady fish. For bigger bass, head out to the Grandglaize Arm or Miller Hollow Cove, where tournament anglers hammered them last week. Crappie fans should zero in on deeper brush at Pogue Hollow Cove and Woods Hollow Cove near Camdenton.

The best windows for bites today will be mid-morning and mid-afternoon, right after the water starts warming a touch. According to FishingReminder, overall activity dips a bit with the cold snap, but the solunar table shows a bump around midday—watch for that!

No major sunfish or catfish catches reported lately, but that’s typical for the post-turnover lull. If you’re itching to bank some bonus fish, throw a chunk of nightcrawler or cut shad off gravel banks at dusk.

With fall colors peaking and the air brisk, it’s a perfect time to cast from the dock or take the boat out even if the bite slows. As always, check local regs and bundle up against that November chill.

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Artificial Lure here, checking in with your November 1st, 2025 fishing report for Lake of the Ozarks. It's a crisp, classic fall morning with air temps kicking off in the mid-30s and warming to the low 50s by afternoon, skies staying clear, and a light southwest breeze—great for keeping the bite active without blowing you all over the lake. Sunrise hit at 7:39 AM, sunset’s landing around 6:11 PM. No tides here in Missouri, but with a first quarter moon overhead, fish activity should be decent, especially around the dawn and dusk major feeding windows—best bite times lining up around 5:30 to 7:30 this morning and 5:50 to 7:50 this evening, according to FishingReminder.

Word on the water: Bass remain the main ticket. Recent tourney results up and down the Osage and Gravois arms show largemouth and spots have settled into a late fall pattern. It's all about structure—the brush piles, deep docks, and secondary points are holding fish. Folks working the YUM YUMbrella Flash Mob Jr. loaded with 3.25 to 3.8-inch Strike King Rage Swimmer or Keitech Swing Impact FAT swimbaits have been hammering steady bags, some 20-plus pounds showing at weigh-ins. Don’t sleep on the jerkbait bite either; the Megabass Vision 110 series, especially in more subtle shad or pearl hues, put some kicker fish in the livewell for the top teams, especially around transition rock and deeper laydowns as water clarity’s stayed high.

If you’re fishing slower or working into mid-morning, now’s the time to downsize your presentation. As MLF pro David Walker notes, with cover thinning out and cooler, clearer water, a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce finesse jig with a natural craw trailer has been deadly, especially flipped in tight to shallow cover or skipped under those shady docks. Patience is key—sometimes those bigger bass need a few casts to finally commit as the mornings chill up.

A couple local hot spots to try today: First, the Gravois Arm—run out and target brush piles in 10 to 15 feet just outside spawning pockets. Second, the Niangua Arm between Larry Gale and the State Park Marina—work the channel swings and deeper bluff-ends, picking apart any isolated wood or rock you can see on your electronics. Both areas have kicked out steady fish for locals all week.

For you multispecies anglers or kids, crappie are also stacking around deeper docks and brush in 15 to 25 feet. Folks tightlining minnows or 1/32-oz jigs in chartreuse or white are filling limits. White bass and hybrids have been chasing bait in the creeks—watch for surface activity and keep a spoon or small swimbait handy near the backs of the larger coves.

Best baits right now:
- **Umbrella/A-rigs** with small shad-style swimbaits
- **Jerkbaits** (Megabass Vision 110 or similar)
- **Downsized jigs** with natural trailers
- **Small crappie jigs/minnows** for the slabs

Bite slows midday, but warm afternoons can push a few bonus fish shallow, so don’t be afraid to finish the day beating bank in creek pockets. Remember, clear water means light line will get you more bites.

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Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Friday, October 31, 2025.

A chilly Halloween morning finds the back bays steaming under a patchwork sky, temps hovering in the upper 40s at dawn and expected to climb just shy of 60 before another cold front sets in. According to local marina reports, the sunrise came at 7:33 AM and you’ll have until sunset at 6:12 PM to chase those fall fatties. Winds are light, steady from the northwest, and the lake is running clear with only a slight tint in feeder creeks after a couple of drizzly days earlier this week.

And while there’s no real tide to speak of in these Ozark hills, water levels are holding near normal fall pool—so access to brush piles, docks, and secondary points is wide open. Foliage is right at peak, with hickories and maples blazing yellow and orange along the tall bluffs according to the latest from the Missouri Department of Conservation, making for one of the prettiest backdrops of the year.

The bite, folks, is classic late fall: transition fish are sliding out deeper by midday, but there’s still a reliable morning window in the shallow brush and dock edges. In the Gravois arm, anglers like Steve and Austin have been stacking nice limits by keying on brush in 10 to 12 feet—plenty of chunky largemouth, and crappie mixed in if you downsize your offerings. Big spotted bass have been schooling up around main lake points, chasing balls of shad that are moving tight to structure as the chill sets in.

For this weekend, leave the topwaters at home and load up on proven fall staples:
- Football jigs, especially a 1/2-ounce Omega or Strike King Tour Grade. Toss these into deep brush piles and drag slow—most bites are coming on the pause.
- Umbrella rigs and jerkbaits, especially on windy points. Brad Jelinek and others in last week’s derby leaned heavy on A-rigs to get reaction strikes from suspended bass—the Megabass Vision 110 and Alabama rigs rigged with 3-inch swimbaits are seeing some of the best results.
- For crappie, it’s hard to beat a small hair jig or a Bobby Garland Baby Shad, though some are still taking minnows dropped vertically in brush at 10-15 feet.
- Don't forget your drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm in morning dawn, or try a shaky head with a green pumpkin trick worm—both have been money on the secondary ledges and bluff ends.

Recent catches have included multiple limits of 14-16 inch bass, with a few kicker largemouth breaking the 5-pound mark around mid-lake boat docks and the mouths of major creeks. Crappie have been solid, most slabs running 10-12 inches, and a few reports of bonus white bass busting shad in the afternoons.

Hot spots to check today:
- The Gravois Arm, focusing on 12-foot brush and deeper dock stalls.
- Main Lake points between the 18 and 24 mile markers—umbrella rigs on the wind-blown sides here have been producing numbers and size.
- The Niangua arm, where big spotted bass are chasing bait near the old channel swings, especially mid-morning.

Quick tip: With the water cooling and fish feeding up for winter, don’t be afraid to size up your bait and slow down your presentation. Fish are packing on weight and seem to want a slower-moving, bigger profile right now.

That’s your Lake of the Ozarks fishing update for Halloween. Thanks for tuning in—be sure to subscribe for all the latest Ozark angling news. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Good morning, folks—Artificial Lure here, coming at you live from the heart of Lake of the Ozarks. If you’re looking for the real deal on what’s biting, where, and how to get on them, you’re in the right spot.

Let’s talk about the lake—this is Missouri’s playground, known for bass, crappie, catfish, and more, and right now, the bite’s shifting with the season. We’re just past the official “fall bite” window, but according to Dill Guide Service and local chatter, we’re smack in that magical transition between late fall and early winter—one of the best times to bend a rod in these parts.

**Weather & Water**
This morning, we’re starting chilly, with temps climbing into the comfortable 50s by afternoon—perfect for a long day on the water. The lake itself is calm, with little to no wind, and that’ll be a blessing for those looking to work docks and brush. Water temps are in the upper 50s to low 60s, a little warmer than this time last year, according to Dill Guide Service, and that’s keeping the bass and crappie both active. Sunrise today was right around 7:30 AM, and we’ll see sunset just past 6:00 PM—so you’ve got a full day to hit the water and stack some memories.

**Tides**
Now, Lake of the Ozarks isn’t tidal like you’d find on the coast, but what we do have are inflows from the Osage River and creeks, and right now, those are running steady—no major fluctuations, so fish should be predictable in their haunts. If you’re into crappie, the brush and dock transitions are primo, since the water’s not bouncing up and down.

**Fish Activity & What’s Hitting**
Bass—both largemouth and spotted—are still eating, but things have changed since summer. Dill Guide Service notes that while you can still pick off fish flipping shallow docks, the real key right now is downsizing your presentation. They’ve gone from chasing big jigs and shad-imitators to preferring smaller, finesse-style baits—think a 3/8-ounce Croaker Tail Zapper Jig or even a shaky head with a worm. Topwater’s also coming into its own, especially as the sun gets up. There are days now where you can throw topwater all day and not only catch numbers, but also connect with a few big girls.

Crappie—they’re the sleeper hit right now. According to Dill Guide Service, the panfish are stacking up on open brush piles and around dock braces. If you want a limit, target the shady sides of docks and deeper brush. Not only are they biting, but there’s a ton of them in the 3- to 6-inch class, with some slabs mixed in. Live minnows and small jigs tipped with plastic are your best bet.

Catfish—still stacking up in the deeper holes and channel swings, especially on cut bait and crawfish.

**Recent Catches**
Guides and locals alike are talking about solid days on the water. Bass trips are averaging 12–20 fish a morning, with several 3- to 4-pounders in the mix. The crappie bite is even better, with 30–40-fish days common if you’re dialed in on the right brush. The best part—you’ll also pick up walleye and the occasional white bass or kentucky (spotted bass) on some of these same presentations.

**Best Baits & Lures**
For bass, right now, your go-to’s are:
- **Topwater:** A Spook, popper, or buzzbait, especially late morning and early afternoon. Dill Guide Service says they’re moving to these baits as the water cools.
- **Jig/Worm:** A 3/8-ounce finesse jig or a shaky head with a worm. Downsized from summer presentations.
- **Blade Bait/Chatterbait:** If you want to cover water, a Chatterbait with a paddle-tail trailer is still catching fish, but the real meat is in finesse and moving baits right now.
For crappie, it’s hard to beat:
- **Live Minnows:** The easy shiner is a local favorite—they’ll catch everything from bass to walleye to crappie.
- **Small Jigs & Plastics:** 1/16–1/8 ounce jigs in natural colors, tipped with a tube or twister tail.Show more...