06 September 2025
Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Report - Crappie, Bass, Catfish Bite Strong as Drawdown Begins
Lake of the Ozarks Missouri Daily Fishing Report
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Artificial Lure here with your local Lake of the Ozarks fishing report for Saturday, September 6th, 2025.
We rolled into the lake early this morning with mild late-summer temps—highs pushing mid-80s by midday, light southwest wind, and humidity tickling the air. Sunrise was at 6:44 a.m. with sunset expected at 7:29 p.m., so you’ve got plenty of daylight to work those banks. Water levels are beginning their annual autumn drawdown, courtesy of Ameren’s Bagnell Dam operations. That means fish are starting to stack in shallower coves and around deeper creek channels—making for concentrated action you don’t want to miss. No tide to worry about, just classic Ozarks reservoir rhythm, so check lake level in the morning for the latest (locals always do).
Let’s get into the bite. According to the Lake of the Ozarks Daily Fishing Report and recent catches seen on local fishing channels, **crappie** have been coming in hot. Anglers yesterday loaded the boat with slab-sized fish—lots in the 10-inch-plus range—especially on shaded brush piles and submerged timber between the 15–20 foot depths. Best bait by far has been **small chartreuse jigs, monkey milk plastics, and minnows under slip bobbers**. Mornings have produced the best numbers, especially where flooded brush meets open water.
**Largemouth bass** action has shifted with the water drawdown. Bass are cruising points and feeding on shad schools early and late. Locals are cleaning up using **topwater lures like Whopper Ploppers and buzzbaits at dawn**, then switching to **Carolina-rigged soft plastics** and **crankbaits** once the sun hits the water. Some nice keepers have been reported from both the Gravois Arm and Glaize Arm, across rocky main-lake points and dock edges. If temps climb, try pitching jigs under deeper docks for a midday reaction bite.
**Catfish**—especially blues and channels—are still running strong from deep flats to creek mouths. Cut shad has been the ticket, with some hefty fish caught off flats just outside the Grand Glaize Bridge and near Coffman Bend. Listen up: now’s the time for overnight and early morning sets with limb lines or anchored rods. Flatheads can still be coaxed on live bluegill if you’re wanting that big pull.
Hot spots to watch:
- **Osage River Arm above Warsaw** for mixed species action, especially early.
- **Gravois Mills docks and stump fields** for crappie and bass.
- **Coffman Bend flats** with fresh cut bait for cats.
Not much trout action in the lake itself (leave that to Bennett Spring), but you’ll find panfish eager around shaded pockets.
For lures, it’s tough to beat **chartreuse and blue jigs for crappie**, **white or bone topwater plugs and watermelon soft plastics for bass**, and **cut shad for cats** this time of year. If you’re new, the locals say: match the hatch—think shad and bluegill colors, and keep plastics natural for those picky September bites.
Remember, Missouri fishing licenses are required if you’re hitting the lake—your guide or local tackle shop will keep you straight on regulations and daily limits.
That’s the scoop from the docks and creek mouths here at Lake of the Ozarks. Thanks for tuning in to the report—don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates and insider tactics. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
We rolled into the lake early this morning with mild late-summer temps—highs pushing mid-80s by midday, light southwest wind, and humidity tickling the air. Sunrise was at 6:44 a.m. with sunset expected at 7:29 p.m., so you’ve got plenty of daylight to work those banks. Water levels are beginning their annual autumn drawdown, courtesy of Ameren’s Bagnell Dam operations. That means fish are starting to stack in shallower coves and around deeper creek channels—making for concentrated action you don’t want to miss. No tide to worry about, just classic Ozarks reservoir rhythm, so check lake level in the morning for the latest (locals always do).
Let’s get into the bite. According to the Lake of the Ozarks Daily Fishing Report and recent catches seen on local fishing channels, **crappie** have been coming in hot. Anglers yesterday loaded the boat with slab-sized fish—lots in the 10-inch-plus range—especially on shaded brush piles and submerged timber between the 15–20 foot depths. Best bait by far has been **small chartreuse jigs, monkey milk plastics, and minnows under slip bobbers**. Mornings have produced the best numbers, especially where flooded brush meets open water.
**Largemouth bass** action has shifted with the water drawdown. Bass are cruising points and feeding on shad schools early and late. Locals are cleaning up using **topwater lures like Whopper Ploppers and buzzbaits at dawn**, then switching to **Carolina-rigged soft plastics** and **crankbaits** once the sun hits the water. Some nice keepers have been reported from both the Gravois Arm and Glaize Arm, across rocky main-lake points and dock edges. If temps climb, try pitching jigs under deeper docks for a midday reaction bite.
**Catfish**—especially blues and channels—are still running strong from deep flats to creek mouths. Cut shad has been the ticket, with some hefty fish caught off flats just outside the Grand Glaize Bridge and near Coffman Bend. Listen up: now’s the time for overnight and early morning sets with limb lines or anchored rods. Flatheads can still be coaxed on live bluegill if you’re wanting that big pull.
Hot spots to watch:
- **Osage River Arm above Warsaw** for mixed species action, especially early.
- **Gravois Mills docks and stump fields** for crappie and bass.
- **Coffman Bend flats** with fresh cut bait for cats.
Not much trout action in the lake itself (leave that to Bennett Spring), but you’ll find panfish eager around shaded pockets.
For lures, it’s tough to beat **chartreuse and blue jigs for crappie**, **white or bone topwater plugs and watermelon soft plastics for bass**, and **cut shad for cats** this time of year. If you’re new, the locals say: match the hatch—think shad and bluegill colors, and keep plastics natural for those picky September bites.
Remember, Missouri fishing licenses are required if you’re hitting the lake—your guide or local tackle shop will keep you straight on regulations and daily limits.
That’s the scoop from the docks and creek mouths here at Lake of the Ozarks. Thanks for tuning in to the report—don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates and insider tactics. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn