Lake of the Ozarks in March

[UWBass]

Hey all,

 

My buddy and I are making a trip down to LOZ from Wisconsin next week March 5-10. Any good areas you guys could recommend for us to try considering this wicked winter we’re having? I’m sure the water will be much colder than normal and of course we were hoping it would be a normal spring when we planned this a few months back but we’re going to give it a go anyways. Any tips on locations or baits to try would be greatly appreciated or if anyone has details on current water temps and conditions that would be awesome as well. Thanks!

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

LOZ fishes good regardless of the cold weather. Jerkbaits, jigs, shakyheads, and A-rigs are going to be your main players most likely. There was a Bassmaster tournament there last weekend that took almost 17lbs to win. There's a BFL tournament there the 2nd, so I'd check what it takes to win and what areas and baits play are working and try to go from there. Good thing is we've had consistent cold, not back and forth warming to cold so they should at least be use to it and in somewhat of a pattern. 

[conorsixtakc]

I only fish 30mm-Bagnell when I get down, but I'd run up lake with how cold it's been and look for the warmest water you can find. 35-40 WT around mid lake last I heard. Contrary to popular belief that lake, at least the lower end, can be feast or famine January-early March. My buddy was in a tournament down there last weekend... 10 of 30 boats weighed a fish and Sykora only brought in 10lbs on Saturday I think it was. Jerkbait and A-rig is all I'd throw, and don't be afraid to let that jerkbait soak.

[Bluebasser86]

BFL this weekend canceled due to extreme cold. Ice in some of the coves and likely to increase with temps below zero forecast for this weekends overnight temps. 

SATMAR 2   37° /18° Rain and drizzle in the p.m. Hist. Avg. 52°/30°

SUNMAR 3   22° /-2° Snow; colder

[UWBass]

Brrrr!!! Not sure why they cancelled that BFL today as it looked like it was going to be 40 degrees?!? Brutal cold the next few days but then a warming trend while we are there. Any of you ever fish a Ned out there? Also any idea on depths to target with such cold water? Not sure if LOZ Bass sulk in the deep or still just suspend off those bluff walls always regardless.

[Bluebasser86]

I actually caught my first Ned rig bass I ever caught at LOZ in February several years ago. They'll eat it for sure, just a question of what kind of quality you're going to get on it. It catches a lot of those 10" spots anytime I'm using it down there. 

 

They'll still sit relatively shallow, even in those cold temps. I'd be targeting less than 20' to start with and only go deeper if you're not finding anything.