| The Lake Of The Ozarks is a year round destination | | | | snagging. Paddlefish season is March 15 to April 30. |
| for professional and recreational anglers. Several | | | | Seven of Missouri's State Record Fish have been |
| annual tournaments are held in the bass rich waters, | | | | caught at the Lake of the Ozarks. |
| including the Big Bass Bash, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing | | | | These trophy fish include: |
| League, and the Stren Bass Series. The plentiful bass | | | | - 41 lbs 2 oz Muskellunge, caught by Gene Snelling of |
| include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Kentucky | | | | Camdenton, MO, March 9th, 1981, using pole and line. |
| (Spotted) Bass, Rock (Goggle Eye) Bass, and White | | | | - 53 lbs 0 oz Bigmouth Buffalo, caught by Dennis |
| Bass. | | | | Shafer of Stover, MO, April 6th, 1996, using the |
| Crappie fishing also draws a large crowd to the lake. | | | | snagging method. |
| Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Tournament usually | | | | - 36 lbs 12 oz Smallmouth Buffalo, caught by Allen |
| makes at least one stop on its tour. The crappie | | | | Schweiss of Bloomington, IL, June 10th, 1986, using |
| normally do not spawn until the Dogwoods bloom, | | | | pole and line. |
| but those "in the know" look for them near heated | | | | - 40 lbs 8 oz Freshwater Drum, caught by Ronald |
| fishing docks in the cooler months beginning in | | | | Wagner of Waterloo, IA, July 16th, 1980, using pole |
| October and lasting through March. | | | | and line. |
| Catfish, both Channel and Flathead, offer a different | | | | - 80 lbs 0 oz Bighead Carp, caught by Kyle Schneider |
| challenge for both seasoned and amateur anglers. | | | | of Ballwin, MO, October 9th, 2004, using pole and line. |
| Bluegill can be found all over the lake, especially near | | | | - 80 lbs 0 oz Bighead Carp, caught by Keith Lowry of |
| docks. Bluegill and perch fishing are fun for all ages | | | | Paola, KS, September 11th, 2004, using a jugline. |
| but are especially exciting for younger anglers who | | | | - 39 lbs 8 oz Striped Bass, caught by Jason Kirk of |
| are just learning to enjoy the sport. | | | | Camdenton, MO, October 11th, 2002, using the jug |
| The paddlefish is Missouri's official aquatic animal and | | | | fishing method. |
| is also known as a spoonbill. Paddlefish are one of the | | | | Two of the state record fish were caught during |
| oldest fish known to man. Fossil records show that | | | | October. This time of year is not just great for |
| they first appeared 300 to 400 million years ago, | | | | fishing, it is also great for fishing for the "Big One"! |
| before the first dinosaurs. It is caught by blind | | | | |