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Fishing

at Lake of the Ozarks State Park

two men in a boat fishing near the shore of the Lake of the OzarksThe Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri's premier fishing destinations. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill and catfish. In addition to statewide fishing rules, the Lake of the Ozarks has the following regulations:

Lakewide
black bass -- 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass; 12 inch minimum length limit on spotted bass
crappie -- 9 inch minimum length limit; 15 fish daily limit
non-game fish -- snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through April 30 only

On the lake and its tributaries
paddlefish -- 34 inch minimum body length
  • No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of two paddlefish.
Within 525 feet on the left descending bank and 977 feet on the right descending bank below Truman Dam in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' restricted zone
  • No fishing is allowed.
From the downstream end of the no fishing zone below Truman Dam throughout the no boating zone (look for signs and buoys)
catfish -- The daily limit channel, blue and flathead catfish is four in the aggregate and only one may be more than 24 inches in total length.
  • Paddlefish may not be possessed.
From the downstream end of the no fishing zone below Truman Dam to US Highway 65
  • Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.

Regulations are subject to change; please refer to the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

A Fishing Report for various areas around the lake is provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.