Lake level is at 609.6. Water temp is at 67. Most of the lake is clearing up nicely after no rain for a week. I could see my chartreuse jig about 10″ down on Sunday.

CRAPPIE: We still have some crappie spawning and some that are done. It has been a strange year for the spawn this year as they have been traveling in and out since early April at least and I expect it will carry on a few more weeks. You really have to be versatile right now. Try the banks, try deep, and everything in between. I have heard 6 feet down in 20 FOW, 10 FOW and again 6 feet down, and also on the banks. We even managed to catch a few on the bridges. Some days a jig (chartreuse/anything) is the ticket and other times it takes a minnow to get a bite. Of course you ALWAYS want to tip with a nibble. Don’t count the spawning season out yet as there is still some good fishing to do before post spawn hits. I have a feeling that period won’t last long as they will be into a summer pattern (my favorite) on some parts of the lake.

CATFISH: We are seeing a lot of big flat heads coming in. People are also catching quite a few channels both on lines and also on rod and reel.

BASS: Whites are hanging around the bridge piers and I have heard of some good catches coming from the island areas. They will start to settle into a real good bite here soon as the weather settles down.
Largemouth have been biting pretty good up near the banks as the water hits their magic spawning temp around the lake.

It is shaping up to be a great summer here at the lake. Come out and enjoy. There are 2 events taking place up at the visitor center this weekend. 1 being the Expo, which used to be the Armed Services Day and is still carrying a lot of stuff geared towards veterans, but also now having an 1890′s style baseball game and many other things for entertainment. there is also a Foster Parent Appreciation Day on Saturday. Anyone can attend either or both events. I will put both flyers on a separate post.

Lake level is at 611.3. They are drawing it down so that will change daily. Water temp is 67. The bridges on 107 are supposed to open back up tomorrow (Friday). My understanding is they will be 1 lane traffic at times.

CRAPPIE: We are in the midst of a long spawn cycle that started back in early April. You will find them spawning in different areas of the lake for several more weeks. We are seeing a lot of fish 11″ to 13″ with some over 14″. The early bite seems to have picked up as the Corp is usually not drawing water early mornings. When they start drawing water you will have to change your tactics as the fish you were catching will likely turn off or move. They will post up in the closest spot that is protected from the current caused by the opening of the gates up at the dam. Kind of turns them into river fish while the water is being drawn down. You will have to hunt them down throughout the day. Once you figure out the pattern of the day you should be able to boat some pretty decent fish. If you can’t find them keep moving as the chances of them coming to you are pretty slim. We are seeing some nice limits come through so we know they can be found. Minnows are working well under a bobber as are jigs. Red/chartreuse or black/chartreuse seem to be the most common colors. If you want clear water fish towards the dam. Believe me, the fish don’t care if the water has some color to it.

CATFISH: We are seeing some monster flat heads coming in so they are definitely putting the feed bag on the past 2 weeks. Goldfish and perch (bluegill for us northerners) work well. There are a lot of jugs and lines out so be careful. Channel cats are also coming in, a lot of times incidental to crappie fishing.

BASS: Black bass should be starting to spawn as the water gets closer to that 68 degree mark. We have heard of a lot being caught by crappie fishermen plying the banks. Also heard of white bass out on the main lake points and humps. Fish near the islands and you should be able to get some of that action. As always throw a Little Cleo or a white Rooster Tail for some great action.

The time is definitely here to be out on the water. Be safe out there so we get through the season without losing anyone. Also, I know it is tempting to double dip while the fish are biting like this, but be forewarned, the Conservation Agents are watching close and the fines are stiff. Besides that, it is unethical as all get out and takes a lot of the future enjoyment away from all of us.

Lake level is at 611.8. Water clarity in the southern branches is muddy. Seems to be better on the north side. Water temp is at 60 degree’s. We got about 2.5″ of rain since last Thursday.

CRAPPIE: The bite is on the bank later in the day. You need to move around until you find fish as they are in different stages of the spawn depending on the area of the lake you are fishing. Start in the morning in about 5 FOW and move closer to the bank as the day warms up. I still mostly hear chartreuse if you are using a jig, but minnows seem to be more productive. As always, use a nibble on either of them. You may have to hunt more than a normal spawn period, but the fish have been moving in and out for almost a month now so it is an unusual spring for them. When you find them the fishing can be fantastic with a lot of 11-13 inch fish.

CATFISH: We are seeing more good size blues and flat heads the past couple of weeks. With the rain we have had the channels are also hitting pretty good. Find a spot where the water is running into the lake and toss a crawler out and you should get into some good fishing.

BASS: Largemouth fishing seems to be pretty tough, but you should find some whites out on the main lake near the islands. As always, white and flashy.

Lake level is at 607.7 and for now holding steady. Water temp is right at 60 at the dam but you can certainly find warmer water around the lake.

CRAPPIE: They are still scattered it seems. If you find the right spot you will pick them up next to the bank. Others are catching them in 4-6 FOW while still others are having their best luck in 20 FOW. Thats just spring time crappie fishing. Black and Chartreuse still seems to be a good combo to try, but don’t stay with with it if you aren’t getting bit. Red/chartreuse and even some of the lighter colors can work as well. Tip it with a nibble or a minnow and you should do pretty good. The past couple of days seems to have been a little tougher than one would like to think when we are this close to the spawn, but obviously some folks adapted and did well.

CATFISH: We are seeing more nice flatheads and blues starting to show up. I heard of some darn nice catches this past weekend. The goldfish seems to be coming on as the bait to use though perch will score as well. The goldfish are a lot tougher on the hook though and can last a couple of days if they don’t get eaten.

BASS: It sounds like the bass fishing is tough right now, though we did hear of some dandy white bass being caught up in the backs of the creek arms and up the rivers. As always….white and shiny is what you want to toss for these scrappers.

Thanks to all of you that are making use of the blog for some animated discussions. It makes it worth putting out there to see all the info passing back and forth. One way to answer the critics to your success is to bring your catch here to the resort so we can post a picture. I do apologize for taking so long to post this last batch of pictures but they are out there now.

Well, there is no doubt we are into spring here in Missouri…..nice and warm one day, cold and rainy the next, with a good dose of wind mixed in on any day. The water temp is up and down, but mostly hanging just below the magic 60 degree mark. Lake level is at 609.4 and water temp is at 58. Unless I miss my guess next by next weekend you should be able to start finding crappie up next to the banks. Sometime around April 28 I’m thinking.

CRAPPIE: With the weather we have had they are still pretty scattered as far as location goes, but it seems when you find them you can find a nice mess in one location. Start your search in about 20 FOW and near the bottom. Bring your bait up until you get bit. You should be able to find them at that depth for a while. As the day warms up the fish will usually move up in the water column. It certainly is conceivable that you will start finding them much closer to the bank, especially if you can find some warm water. Jigs or a slip bobber rig tipped with either a minnow and/or a power bait should work. Try chartreuse.

CATFISH: We have seen some pretty nice cats come through. If you can get ahold of some shad you will want to use that. Otherwise goldfish or crawlers will entice them. We haven’t seen much for bigger flat heads lately, but I’m sure that will change soon.

BASS: No reports

Lake level is at 606.8 and water temp at the dam is 57.6. What a difference a week makes. Mushrooms are on again off again as is most of the fishing.

CRAPPIE: The cold has pushed most of them back into deeper water. Move out to at least the 15 foot range. You can catch them about 10-12 feet down but you are going to have to work for them. Stick with the chartreuse and whatever for now. The spawn is going to have to wait a while I guess until we get back into some warmer weather.

CATFISH: Last weekend was good for blues and flat heads. If we get some of the rain that is predicted the channels should be on the bite.

BASS: No reports but you should be able to find some whites up in the creek arms. The usual white shiny bait will entice them.