Springtime Crappie Fishing

CAMDENTON, Mo. – With warmer spring weather fast approaching, that can only mean one thing on some of Missouri’s lakes, the crappie spawn is near. March and April bring some of the hottest crappie fishing action with them, and a great fishing location is probably closer than you think: Lake of the Ozarks. The lake is located centrally in the state and is well known for its crappie fishing.

Most anglers in the area would be able to plan a day trip to Lake of the Ozarks to partake in some of the fishing action. Droves of fishermen hit the lake in the spring to bring home a limit of the delectable panfish. The daily limit for crappie on Lake of the Ozarks is 15 and the length limit is 9”. Most of the land surrounding Lake of the Ozarks is privately owned, so fishing from the bank is hard to come by sometimes. But, if you have friends or family who own a dock on the lake then there is likely a crappie or two to be caught there. If not, you can access the lake by bank fishing around Lake Ozark State Park, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and many of the Missouri Department of Conservation Accesses located around the lake.

By far, the most popular tactic for crappie fishing is to launch the boat onto the water and head for your favorite “honey hole.” Many fisherman place, and/or fish around, underwater structures in order to catch a mess of crappie. Brush piles are the most common form of habitat that fishermen concentrate their time around. Be warned though, you will probably have to fish around a little while to find a school of fish because most of the old timers and regulars keep their best fishing locations to themselves.

No matter which way you go about it, plan a trip to Lake of the Ozarks to enjoy some springtime crappie fishing. Bring a child, bring your family, and most of all be prepared for a fun fishing adventure. For fishing tips and tricks call ahead to local bait and tackle shops to see what the crappie are biting on and how to fish for them. You can also log on to the MDC website, www.mdc.mo.gov, to view the weekly fishing report. Stop by the Camdenton MDC Office for a map with fish habitat locations placed around the lake by the MDC. Remember to bring your appetite and a fryer and always remember to stay safe!

http://www.lakeviewresortlakeozarks.com