Missouri · United States

Lake of the Ozarks MO fishing forecast

72 Good of 100

Lake of the Ozarks MO is a freshwater fishing spot in Missouri, United States. Anglers here target Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish. The most productive months are typically March, April, May, September, October, November.

Quick answer

Best monthsMarch, April, May, September

Top speciesLargemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie

Score now72/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #77 of 644 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±12 points, from 6 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+15.0Wind+12.0Barometric pressure+4.4

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	22.7 °C
Wind	10 km/h from NNW, gusting 18 km/h
Pressure	1017 hPa
Cloud cover	100%
Chlorophyll	0.30 mg/m³
Salinity	0.0 PSU
UV index	2
Wind sea	0.0 m
Ground swell	0.0 m at 0 s

The water is running true to season — within a few tenths of the August average of 22.7 °C for this location. The water is mixed to about 20.0 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Lake of the Ozarks MO

Lake of the Ozarks MO currently scores 72 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 22.7 °C. 6 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +15.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Wind +12.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Barometric pressure +4.4: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Thermocline +3.0: a defined layer stacks fish at one depth
Pre-storm bite +2.4: the classic feed before heavy weather
Moon phase +2.0: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: channel-catfish, black-bullhead, silver-carp, bighead-carp, shortnose-gar, bowfin, bluegill, golden-trout

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Gibbous · 82% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Lake of the Ozarks MO:

Score history at this spot

26 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-13, 82/100

20 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

About this spot

Water type

Lake · Freshwater

Lakes have no tide, so target structure, drop-offs, and seasonal thermoclines where fish concentrate by depth and temperature.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · beach

What you can catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu
Crappie

Pomoxis spp.
Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Best months by species at Lake of the Ozarks MO

Largemouth BassMicropterus salmoides
Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
CrappiePomoxis spp.
Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.