Lake of the Ozarks Report

[Itch2Scratch]

I am not sure why, but I have been sitting on my deck watching the LOZ rise slowly for the last week or so. Normally they lower it way down this time of the year, not raise it. I am thinking its time to blow the dust off my cattin gear.;)

[Itch2Scratch]

My neighbor has advised me that Ameron has just obtained permission today and will soon lower the lake approximately 9 feet from current level. Hope the weather permits a chance to hit the water before they do...darn it.:crying:

[spoonfish]

They do that every winter/spring to work on the dam I guess. Last year they ran it low into spoonbill season. Usally they have it filling back up by then. Makes it tough on everyone not in the main channel to get a boat off there docks when they are sitting in mud. The good thing is it congragetes the fish in the holes and can be easier to locate.

[Itch2Scratch]

Yeah they did keep it low last year, but you make a valid point about pushin them to holes. Luckily I fish from docks on the main channel around the 58MM.

[Mr.T]

Wow. I knew they always draw it down in the winter, but thought it was more like 5 ft or so. 9 ft ought to leave the upper end of the lake around Warsaw low enough that you can almost walk across it!

[spoonfish]

Nine feet is going to be a bunch!
I know the cove down from the house will be all mud for sure. Makes a guy want a jet boat to run that river. If it gets that low they should be stacked in the holes.

[Itch2Scratch]

That much lowering is gonna create a nice current.(blowing the dust off the cattin gear):p ;)

[spoonfish]

Ken, Do you know when they are planing to start lowering the lake?

[Itch2Scratch]

Spoon I don't think they said exactly, just warned dock owners. As of today the lake was still rising. I suppose to lower Truman as a catch basin after they lower this one while they work or whatever. Have approval to lower to 645 and thats about all I know. If I hear more definative info I will be sure to post it here for you guys. I have noticed a pretty good backflow so maybe that will prime those cats for us.

[Crispy Critter]

Wow 645' would sure make it look different here where I'm at here at the 64mm.I didn't realize they went below 653'. The cove I'm in is only about 4' now with the water down where it's at. I'll really have to lock in the hubs to launch at the ramp here by me http://www.catfish1.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
:rolleyes: I guess I'll ihave to go down to Ivy Bend to put in.Maybe they're gonna do some work around the shoreline?I don't think they've had it that low since they put in Truman.

[Itch2Scratch]

Just because they have permission to go that low doesn't mean they will. But if they do come on over, the swim beach is usually accessable. Will advise you on that also if they do.:)

[Itch2Scratch]

I have been digging for a press release of some kind to verify the neighbors report but no luck so far..he said it was on the radio so there may not be any print. 645 does sound steep but they insist thats what they heard. Lake is currently at 657...up from 656 a week ago. I don't see any drop in Truman(706). Current 3 day forecast for LOZ 657, no change. I guess we wait and see.:0a10:

[Mr.T]

S'pose you could always call Ameren and ask... (573) 365-9205 - not sure if that's an automated number or if you can get a live person, but it's the number the COE gives out in the lake level forecast page.

[Itch2Scratch]

Thanks for the number Mr T:) Called and it was automated. They did say dock owners should prepare for a lake level of 650. Draw down is underway, however, it will be done as they need to generate power. Lake levels are expected to remain at 657 next 3 days. Thats the best I could find out.:crying:

[Crispy Critter]

Just because they have permission to go that low doesn't mean they will. But if they do come on over, the swim beach is usually accessable. Will advise you on that also if they do.:)
yea the swim beach is usually where i have to put in when they have it drawed down.I'm up here on Webb loop and at the ramp here it's more of a mudhole this time of year.I've tried finding one of our ramps closer to me but I haven't found a good one yet.In the summer I put in at the end of the cove above the beach sometimes and go down around Mallard Bay.I just run a 6 gallon tank so it's better than running all the way round the bend from where I'm at.

[CATCANDO]

Here you guys go.

My place is at the 13mm I will have to let my cables out a bit.


Lake Drawdown begins
Lake should level off at 654; dock owners should prepare for 650

By Joyce L. Miller/Lake Sun Senior Writer
Sunday, January 22, 2006 11:55 PM CST




Although AmerenUE’s license with the Federal Energy Regulatory allows the utility company to drop the lake level to 645 feet above sea level, lake area residents should see the lake level off at about 654. Lake levels of 650 are possible during the winter months but not common, according to plant operators.

LAKE OF THE OZARKS - The annual winter drawdown of Lake of the Ozarks is underway.

Dock owners need to begin preparing for what are traditionally the lowest lake levels of the year.

AmerenUE normally lowers the lake level by several feet during the winter months to make room for spring rains.

The drawdown typically gets underway in early January. Depending on the amount of precipitation that comes this spring, lake levels should start climbing back up by mid-April.

Although AmerenUE’s license with the Federal Energy Regulatory allows the utility company to drop the lake level to 645 feet above sea level, lake area residents should see the lake level off at about 654. Lake levels of 650 are possible during the winter months but not common, according to plant operators.

Although dam operators do not anticipate the lake level dropping to 650, AmerenUE wants to make certain dock owners are aware of that possibility depending on changing conditions.

Despite a lack of precipitation in the lake area, the current level is holding at about 657. Full pool at Lake of the Ozarks is 660 feet above sea level.

Managing the lake level depends on a number of factors, including water flow into Lake of the Ozarks from Truman Dam, weather conditions, electrical usage and conditions downstream. Typically, the lake drops to is lowest level in March.

Lake of the Ozarks receives about 80 percent of its water from Truman and feeder streams like the Niangua River

[Itch2Scratch]

Thanks for the very informative read CATCANDO....and welcome to BOC. I hope you put your pin in the member map with the rest of us.:)

[spoonfish]

Very good post CATCANDO!
Thank you for the info.:thumbsup:

[crazy]

What was the lake level last year they dropped it too? Just so I can have an idea to compare it too. thanks...

[Crispy Critter]

I think between 653' and 654' in mid March was the low point.

[crazy]

So my day at the upper end of LOZ was pretty uneventful no fish couple really lite bites. They would do a couple little bumps and that would be all she wrote. Had a hard time finding shad in the normal spots I have caught them in the past. Have you ever run into a guy that does a lap around your boat at a measly 12 yards or so? Yeah, just checking equipment he says. He not only went over one line but 5. To top it off I know our boat was anchored in about 2 feet of water and well them they where kicking up mud with there boat and never even noticed. That’s when you know your about to have a lousy day of fishing I guess. Good thing is water is running 42-43 degrees.

[Itch2Scratch]

Wow Crazy, sounds like ya should have just stayed home....but ya have to admit..it was nice being out there..:) I am gonna give it a try tomorrow myself down here around the 58MM, will give you a report on that tomorrow night....hang in there.;)

[crazy]

It was a nice day on the lake. The wind was a bit much sometimes though. Oh well I'll be back in a couple of weeks for sure.

[Crispy Critter]

Well Itch2Scratch did you try fishing down on the Bend yesterday.I've been itching to go myself with this weather.I have my boat winterized and I'm not ready to get it out yet but I may walk down on this new conservation place right above me and try it from the bank.

[Itch2Scratch]

Went today, only caught 3 Channel Cats on crawlers. Don't know whats with these Blues. Guess they are waiting for me to give the fresh shad or fresh cut bait...LOL:o

[Crispy Critter]

Yea the channels are about all I seem to get with the crawlers around here.I have the best luck for blues with live bait it seems like.I seen they had the water temp. listed at 45 here today but I don't know what it actually was here in the cove by me.That should be plenty warm to start catching some blues.

[Itch2Scratch]

Actually Dee I usually have pretty good success in early spring using crawlers for blues. The biggest I have caught on Crawler is 24 1/2 lbs but a lot of 5-10 pounders. Once the shad move in the crawlers are only good for catching bait..LOL

[Crispy Critter]

I'll have to give it a try.I'll have to get out to a little deeper water probably for the blues.I usually fish from the bank in these coves this time of year where I can stay dry.It didn't used to bother me to get in the boat and go gig when it was freezing out, but now it makes my thermometer shrivel up;)

[Itch2Scratch]

LOL...I know what ya mean, the winds blowing off the water this time of year will do that to ya...LOL....Give Ya a hint at what to try though...I know ya know what the swim beach looks like after they lower the lake so thats the easiest place to tell you about. Once they lower this lake so you can drive out on the swim beach, try fishing off the left and right sides of it and throw as far as you can out into the open water. There are underwater channels used by the blues and channel cats in those areas. When I first moved down here the locals said they had not seen anyone catch anything off the swim beach...Now I catch them watching me..LOL. That area seems to warm up first due to the shallow gravel bottom with drop offs on both sides. Its one of the first areas that I start noticing shad also. After spoonie season starts you can cross that area off your to use list. Hope this helps a little down the road after it warms some and they lower the lake....:) Good Luck!

[Crispy Critter]

I'll give it a try down there i've never fished right there but i know what it looks like when they drop it down.I've had my place here about 4 yrs. but i've only lived here full time about a year.When my brother-n-law comes down with his 24' pontoon we have to launch from there all the time.He has a real high trailer and thats the only place around here we can get it on/off.I just never tried to fish it because i figured it stayed too busy down there.You may have seen me down there who knows,I take my 7 yr.old grandson down there once or twice a week and let him burn off a little energy running round in that sand.LOL..

[Itch2Scratch]

Critter I probably didn't see you down there last Spring because I was fishing a couple other areas trying to find out if they were any good...always best to have more than one spot to fall back on ya know. Not many places around here that you can fish with success during low water times, at least not from this side of the lake. Looking at the extended weather forecast, I think fishing is temporaily on hold for the next couple of weeks..:(

[Crispy Critter]

You can't have too many fishing holes to fall back on,that's for sure...My spring fever seems to have passed now that it's cooled back down.Oh well I guess it gives me time to string some new line on the dozen or so poles sitting around here.I was down at the beach yesterday afternoon looking around.I am surprised to see the water still holding up there where it's been the last couple weeks.I am sure it will be on the way back down pretty soon.

[Itch2Scratch]

Dee if your gonna fish that area I told you about, make sure you put a high quality abrasive resistant line on the rods your gonna use. Those sides and end of the swim beach consist of underwater rip rap that those cats know how to use. I learned that the hard way the first year I fished it. I think late Spring and early summer after you get your boat out, I would try to graph that area to locate the far edges of the swim beach and anchor there for a nights fishing. I don't see people doing that but I am betting it would pay to do so.;)

[Itch2Scratch]

Critter I hope your gettin that line changed on those reels, the lake has slowly been lowerin since yesterday. Hopefully, it will continue to where they are gonna have it.

[Crispy Critter]

Well the lake is at 655' and seems to be holding at that level.Water temp. is around 45 degrees.I went out Mon. and Tues. for a couple hours each.I caught a couple small channels in a cove from the bank but they seem to be pretty slow.It was too windy when I was out to take my boat so I didn't get a chance to get out to deeper water and try for any blues.Springs not far off and the conditions are getting better all the time.At least I temporarily cured my Spring Fever for a little while.

[Itch2Scratch]

I went Tuesday and only caught 3 Blues and a Channel Cat all under 2lbs:o ...I am surprised how hard it is to come up with something bigger so far...caught all of those in a short period of time and then nothing. They must be schooled tight still. I will give it till next week and then hit them hard again.;)

[NoCat2Big]

delete this one.. double post.

[NoCat2Big]

I went over to the dam today and fished till about 3:30... Not one bite.

I've been doing some crappie fishing over the past few days and they seem to be hitting pretty well. Limit out on nice slabs nearly everyday.

They seem to be holding in 30' of water about 12-14 feet down along the bluffs just down river from the roadhouse.

[fishingbuddy4]

Well thinking about putting the bimini top on and head out today,the radar is showing a mix of rain and sleet to the west of me see what it does be for i head out

[Itch2Scratch]

Looks to me like your gonna get wet if you come down Robert...the local forecast is for rain today...good luck if you manage to get out there though.:)

[fishingbuddy4]

yea i am watching the radar ,well see might just work on the boat ,and yard pond ,Iput shad in there tue. and they are still alive ,i thought they would die by now

[Itch2Scratch]

I didn't know they would stay alive like that...what in the heck are they eating?...LOL

[fishingbuddy4]

I have been put that pond fish food on a spoon and crushing it into a powder they go after it when i put it in

[Itch2Scratch]

I have been put that pond fish food on a spoon and crushing it into a powder they go after it when i put it in
I bet if they knew what you were fatting them up for they would go on a hunger strike....LOL...I think thats neat that you can keep them alive like that....Did you get your friends place ready for Spring down here?

[fishingbuddy4]

still working on it ,still have to sheetrock and do the ceiling ,will hit it one weekend this month if i can keep him out of stumpys

[fishingbuddy4]

where abouts do you live in ivy

[Itch2Scratch]

I live on the gravel part of Ivy Bend Road, not far from the resort. Just stepped outside...looks like we have a very light snow coming down here at the lake.:sad:

[fishingbuddy4]

his place is not far from you i think ,i know across the road from him is a place where they bilt a place out of rocks ,i heard they were y2k guys and someone set a fire and burnt it down

[Itch2Scratch]

I think I know where your talking about...if so its less than 1/2 mile from here. Its a shame about all the places they burnt.

[fishingbuddy4]

well his place has a mobile home and a travel trailer on it they both face the road

[Itch2Scratch]

I think I have seen it...a deck on the front?

[fishingbuddy4]

yep thats it,sets up off the road, next time we go down i will let you know and you maybe can stop by and say hi ,well heading out to work on the boat looks like no fishing today its poaring here later

[Crispy Critter]

well his place has a mobile home and a travel trailer on it they both face the road
I know which place that is.Me and my brother-in -law stopped and looked at that place last summer when it was for sale.It was a real shame about the new house across the road.It was one of my favorite looking houses down here when they built it.It was a nice house cantilevered out over the basement.

[Itch2Scratch]

Critter, looks like Monday is gonna be a great day to give that boat an initial checkout...light winds and low 60's. The rain and temps we are suppose to have this week should bring the water temp up some and maybe kick in some decent fishing. I would love to see a couple of gully washers this week, at least the would get the cats into the coves. Think I am gonna give it a try tomorrow myself in a little deeper water and see what happens.;)

[Crispy Critter]

I might get the boat out I would like to.I need to do some work on a tail light on my trailer.I have the lights mounted on square tubing that stick up about 4' to keep them above water and work as guides to put the boat on the trailer.Last Fall I cracked a weld on one of them on the washboard gravel between the swimbeach and Shady's.It fell off and broke the light and the post with my license on it.I need to bring my torch down here so I can weld it back up.I can probably still get my boat down here to the water though.

[Itch2Scratch]

If you can get your boat in the water down there, you should fish below that tall bluff over by your place. That area has it all from deep water structure to shallow flats. Good luck if you get out there tomorrow bro.:)

[Crispy Critter]

That is a good place to fish but I'll have to put in down by you and come back up.It is too low here by me right now.Do you know if you can put in right now in the upper end of the cove by the beach at the ramp or is it down too much?

[Itch2Scratch]

That is a good place to fish but I'll have to put in down by you and come back up.It is too low here by me right now.Do you know if you can put in right now in the upper end of the cove by the beach at the ramp or is it down too much?
The water is to low for the ramp, but everyone launches off the sides of the swim beach....drops off on both sides so should not give you a problem. All the Spoonie guys launch there each year. Good Luck Out There!:)

[NoCat2Big]

Hey guys..
What part of the lake are you fishing at?

I've been fishing the upper end pretty regularly the past few days
and have only seen little cats (less than 12 inches).

Went out trolling for walleyes yesterday, got a few hits. Ended up
just snagging a 10+ lb carp. At least I got to reel something in.

We were gonna fish down around deer creek and that area yesterday, went to every damned ramp off M hwy and they were all practically out of the water.
Ended up launching from drake harbor... Wasted 2 hours looking for a decent spot to get in down there. Looks like Brown bend is the only decent place to put in on that part of the lake.


If you have any suggestions about boat launches around there please let me know. Thanks

[Itch2Scratch]

Mornin Chris, We are fishing the Ivy Bend Area. During low water time folks launch off the sides of the swim beach down here since all ramps are out of the water and not much access anywhere else. The Ivy Bend Resort located at the 58MM is a stone throw from the beach. If you come down access is on the gravel portion of Ivy Bend Road look for Swim Beach Road and there is the spot. Good Fishing!:)

[beeheck]

NoCat2Big, where were you trolling for walleyes? Do you catch many in LOZ? I heard that there were a few buy not very many. I'm at the 5MM on the Lick Branch Cove and would like some information on walleyes in that area.

[Itch2Scratch]

Didn't see any trailor tracks at the swim beach so I guess ya didn't make it out today huh Critter?...LOL...I went most of the afternoon, the Channel Cats were hitting hard on crawlers for a change and caught a couple small Blues on frozen shad sides.....all and all the bite is getting better and the fish were a tad big bigger today. They seem to be up in the coves more than they were. Managed to keep six total today that were eaters for my neighbor, made them happy.;) Lost a couple more I should have had also. Water level still holding at 654.80 with the water temp showing 45 degrees still, but that should start slowly rising now I think.:) Oh, yeah.....caught a darn turtle also...grrrrrrrr.:crying:

[Crispy Critter]

Glad to see you had some luck.No I didn't stir out any today. I wasn't getting around very good today,the rain must be moving back in.I'll try and get out in a day or two if the ole body cooperates.I'm glad we had a little wet weather over the weekend though,so I'm not complaining.

[Itch2Scratch]

Glad to see you had some luck.No I didn't stir out any today. I wasn't getting around very good today,the rain must be moving back in.I'll try and get out in a day or two if the ole body cooperates.I'm glad we had a little wet weather over the weekend though,so I'm not complaining.
I know what ya mean about the ole bod not cooperating...but my neighbor woke me this morning saying I was missing a beautiful day(his way of telling me "I need some fish"):rolleyes: so I drug myself out of bed and took my pain pills and loaded up the gear. Glad I did...was fun out there today. Hope ya get to feeling better soon and do the same.;)

[beeheck]

Just outside our small cove going into the Lick Branch there is a flat there and it appears to be sand or gravel and I'm thinking about drifting that at night for catfish and have one pole with a leech for walleye. Flat is about 12' of water and then drops off to about 50' in about 20 yards so it's a good drop off.

[Itch2Scratch]

Bill it sounds like a great place to start. Up in Da U.P. of Michigan we caught them most of the time in 8-12 feet of water on minnows or leeches under a slip blobber or drifting with jigs tipped with them. In this lake though its no telling what you might wind up with on a hump like that, maybe even a monster cat. Good Luck Buddy!:)

[Fastman]

Beeheck,
We had a house in Lick branch Cove up to last year. I think I pulled all of the cats outta there already. :)
But, if there is any left for you, you will find them in the back of the main cove. I always did well right at the fork in the back of the cove. To the left side was the golf course and the the right was a small branch of the cove. Also right out in between the last decent sized dock and the no-wake. It can also be difficult to fish there at night in the summer as many of the cruisers like to drop ancor right between the dock and the no-wake.
Second choice is is the first right-side branch as you are comin in off the main channel. Our house used to be right there and fishing late at night (after the lake setteld down) was usually pretty good.
Fastman

[NoCat2Big]

NoCat2Big, where were you trolling for walleyes? Do you catch many in LOZ? I heard that there were a few buy not very many. I'm at the 5MM on the Lick Branch Cove and would like some information on walleyes in that area.

Hey,
I was trolling from Drake Harbor down to about White branch cove.

I went to Truman dam this afternoon around 3:30pm and caught a nice walleye from the bank. Measured approx 19 inches. Had a few other hits but that was the only fish landed. Was using an orange and chartruese curly tail with about 1/3 of a "Gulp" artifically flavored red wiggler, 2 jigs tied about 12-15 inches apart.

There are plenty here, you just have to find them and feed them what they like. Around this time of year they start hitting pretty good around the dam and down past the 65 hwy bridge. With the water temperatures getting ready to start heading back up the walleye fishing should get better.

I just wish they would run water more often so the cats would move back up to the dam.

The wind was howling through there, but I still had fun! :)

[beeheck]

Thanks for the great information, it is appreciated. I'm going to check out the places on the Lick Branch for cats and try for walleyes a couple times this year. We release everything we catch and while Catfish is #1 with me I'm like a little kid, I just want to catch fish.

[Itch2Scratch]

Bill I was going through the stuff I use to use up north to catch Walleyes and ran across something we had really good success with. It's called a "Crawler Harness". We would rig Carolina style using bullet weights or bottom bouncers and drift using a crawler, minnows or leeches on the 3 hooks. After thinking about it, it was probably our most effective way of catching them up there. If you can find them in your stores I HIGHLY recommend using the Crawler Harness for Walleyes.;)

[beeheck]

Ken, I know exactly what a crawler harness is and will pick a few up and give them a try. Found a link to a map for LOZ, may be old stuff but I've been working it pretty hard and think I might break down and buy the software. Kind of interesting to scroll around and see what's out there. If it doesn't work let me know and I'll try again.

http://www.garmin.com/cgi-bin/mapgen/webmap.cgi?p=5242881&l=0&u=0&v=0&cp=4F795946EA455441&z=20&x=300&y=337&w=600&h=450&d=2&rz=0&k=1&sc=1