What can I fish for at The Lake of the Ozarks?

Fishing near Atlantis Island

The Lake Of The Ozarks is a year round destination for professional and recreational anglers. Several annual tournaments are held in the bass rich waters, including the Big Bass Bash, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, and the Stren Bass Series. The plentiful bass include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Kentucky (Spotted) Bass, Rock (Goggle Eye) Bass, and White Bass.
Crappie fishing also draws a large crowd to the lake. Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Tournament usually makes at least one stop on its tour. The crappie normally do not spawn until the Dogwoods bloom, but the hardcore angler knows to look for them near heated fishing docks in the cooler months beginning in October and lasting through March.

Black Crappie

Catfish, both Channel and Flathead, offer a different challenge for both seasoned and amateur anglers.

Channel Catfish

Bluegill can be found all over the lake, especially near docks. Bluegill and perch fishing are fun for all ages but are especially exciting for younger anglers who are just learning to enjoy the sport.




Bluegill

The paddlefish is Missouri’s official aquatic animal and is also known as a spoonbill. Paddlefish are one of the oldest fish known to man. Fossil records show that they first appeared 300 to 400 million years ago, before the first dinosaurs. It is caught by blind snagging. Paddlefish season is March 15 to April 30.

Paddlefish a/k/a Spoonbill

Seven of Missouri’s State Record Fish have been caught at the Lake of the Ozarks.
These trophy fish include:

41 lbs 2 oz Muskellunge, caught by Gene Snelling of Camdenton, MO, March 9th, 1981, using pole and line.

53 lbs 0 oz Bigmouth Buffalo, caught by Dennis Shafer of Stover, MO, April 6th, 1996, using the snagging method.

Bigmouth Buffalo

36 lbs 12 oz Smallmouth Buffalo, caught by Allen Schweiss of Bloomington, IL, June 10th, 1986, using pole and line.

40 lbs 8 oz Freshwater Drum, caught by Ronald Wagner of Waterloo, IA, July 16th, 1980, using pole and line.

80 lbs 0 oz Bighead Carp, caught by Kyle Schneider of Ballwin, MO, October 9th, 2004, using pole and line.

80 lbs 0 oz Bighead Carp, caught by Keith Lowry of Paola, KS, September 11th, 2004, using a jugline.

Bighead Carp

39 lbs 8 oz Striped Bass, caught by Jason Kirk of Camdenton, MO, October 11th, 2002, using the jug fishing method.

Striped Bass

Two of the state record fish were caught during October. This time of year is not just great for fishing, it is also great for fishing for the “Big One”!
October is host to at least three fishing tournaments. The 23rd Annual Missouri State Buddy Bass Championship is held October 18th and 19th at Deer Valley Park in Sunrise Beach. The 18th Annual White Bass Tournament is a one day event held October 25th at the Gravois Mills Public Access. October 25th also kicks off the 14th Annual Fall Classic Buddy Bass Tournament. This two day event is sponsored by Alhonna Resort in Lake Ozark, less than 5 miles from Atlantis Island Condos.