Fishing Report 3/21

Submitted by Steve Wilson

Record high air temps mean record high water temps at area lakes. Here at lake of the ozarks we went from water temps in the 40's to seeing 64 degree water in the shallows during those super hot afternoons. Can't say that happens very often. The warm temps have really put the fish on the move. The fishing is still great. You just have several different patterns going on all over the lake when it's this warm during pre spawn.

Dam and Gravois area: Clear to stained. This is where the coolest water is. You can still find water temps in the low 50's in the deeper main lake water near the Dam. That means you can still get on a good bunch of suspended fish with a jerkbait or Alabama rig (a-rig). Main lake points and secondary points are the focus with these two lures. On into the creeks and up the Gravois fish can be caught on a number of different lures. Jigs and wiggle wart type crankbaits have been taking quality fish as well as jerkbaits. Points and channel swings as well as dock brush have been holding the fish.

Glaize. Clear to stained: Points and channel swings are also productive in this area as well. The water is a little warmer here than the Dam area. The water is still clear in the lower portion. A-rig and jerkbaits are producing as well as jigs and chompers grubs. Carolina rigs are starting to take fish on secondary points directly in front of spawning pockets. Points and channel swings with transition rock have been holding the bulk of the fish. 

Niangua rivers: Clear to Stained: The fish have been on the move in the rivers. They are moving from the main river points to secondary points back in the small creeks. They are also on the transition rock on into the creeks. Wiggle warts and carolina rigs have been working well. The wiggle wart works better on the bigger rock and the carolina rig works best on the pea gravel secondary points. A slow methodical approach with a small plastic creature or lizard is working good with the carolina rig.

Osage River: Clear to stained. The river is clearer than normal. Now we are forecast to get a bunch of rain this week. We are also under a flood warning. If we get enough rain like they are forecasting the rivers will be trashed. And it just started pouring down rain. The fishing has been good in the river. Secondary points and rock transitions in the creeks have been holding pre spawn fish that have been thinking about spawning with these record high temps. Wiggle wart type crankbaits, jigs and carolina rigs have all been productive. The water has been clear enough to catch a-rig fish on the lower Osage near Hurricane Deck bridge. But like I said. A lot can change if we get 5" plus of rain like they are predicting.

Thanks and Good Luck! Steve Wilson

Note: Fish are starting to transition into the spawn. Learn to follow the fish as they move into their spawning locations. Contact me at Bassfactory@charter.net or 314-406-3913.