Gray Jay
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 07 16th, 2010
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read comments (0)New Ozark Resort
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 06 17th, 2010Hi everyone, just wanted to update you on the latest resort added to Show-Me-Lakes. We recently added Arrowhead Resort on Lake of the Ozarks. To view information about their resort just click on the previous link. We think this is a great addition to Show-Me-Lakes and I hope you guy get a chance to go check out their resort, it is very luxurious.
One of the Missouri Lakes
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 06 11th, 2010
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Road to Missouri Lakes Trailhead
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 02 16th, 2010
Image taken by sarowen.
The Best Walleye Fishing Spots In Missouri
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 01 22nd, 2010There are some great walleye fishing spots in Missouri. Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir, Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Mark Twain Lake are the top spots. These areas also have bass and panfish besides the walleye. The one thing that is a very well kept secret in Missouri is the ice fishing for walleye. Lake of the Ozarks is the best walleye fishing during the winter. Some anglers get out there and catch some prize trophies. The best thing to use during the winter months is heavier crankbaits while trolling. You might even try the grub on a jig, the weight should be about one eighth.
In October, Bull Shoals Lake is a great place to catch walleye. Many people do not even consider this lake for catching walleye and this is a shame because the action is hot in October. The lake has a great shad population that helps to feed the walleye and make them a good healthy weight. Here you would want to use crankbaits or some shad colored grubs. If you are fishing the rocky areas, a night crawler on a leadhead is great. In most cases, the planer boards work well with spinner rigs. During the spawning season in spring, you want to fish by the rocky areas from Barker Hole to Beaver Creek.
If you want to catch the walleye from shore during the spring spawning months, the Stockton Dam is a great area. However, the best time of day is a few hours before and after sunset. The popular area is by the Rip Rap by the dam. When you are fishing from shore near the riprap, you can use a shallow or floating running bait. Anglers recommend keeping the smaller males and leaving the larger females to spawn for future generations of walleye. On Stockton Lake, you can keep any fish that is fifteen inches or longer and they have a daily catch limit of four.
If you are using a fish locator on Stockton Lake, you will want to find the areas where the shad are in schools. Walleye will follow the shad and you can see the shad while the walleye are like black dots among the schools. The best time for walleye depends on the time of day and year, wind and water temperature. Fishing on Stockton Lake is better at dawn and dusk as well as overcast days. During the winter months, walleye hang out by the springs where the shad prefer to be. The water temperature is warmer than the forty-degree water temperatures away from the springs.
Table Rock Lake has many underwater habitats for walleye. When the lake was built, they never cleared the trees and other deadfall under the water, which has made a nice home for walleye. The shad in the lake allows the walleye to feed and grow to good-sized fish. Many anglers use the drop and sink method in this lake. They sit right above the deadfall and drop right into the middle of the school of shad coming up with a fish. This is a nice resort area and does not have a lot of boat activity, which makes it a nice fishing spot.
Mark Twain Lake is noted as a good place to fish for walleye, but keep in mind that you have to go at the right time and the right season. The best time to fish this lake is during spawning season. The shad population is what keeps the walleye in the lake, but you do need to fish for walleye during the particular time of year. The tributary streams in the spring are the best place to fish the walleye.
Lake of the Ozarks Fishing
Posted by Samuel in Missouri Vacations on 01 21st, 2010Time spent in the Lake of the Ozarks is not complete without spending a little time out on the water. Some of the best fishing in the Midwest occurs at the Lake of the Ozarks every year. Anglers from throughout the United States and beyond come to the area for the various species located in the waters of Lake of the Ozarks.
From the Catfish to the Largemouth Bass, there truly is something for fishermen of all tastes. Besides Catfish and Largemouth Bass, anglers have the opportunity to catch Crappie, Walleye, White Bass, and Hybrid Striped Bass. The wide variety of fish makes it possible for each fishing trip to be successful and the serene environment adds to the overall experience.
Fishing is an all year sport in the large Missouri lake. The typical fishing season begins (for the most devoted of anglers) on January 1. It extends to December 31, only to start again once a new year has begun. The typical lures used in the spring are either jig-n-frog bait or crankbaits. These lures allow anglers to fish in some of the deeper waters, when the water is cold.
In the warmer months, lures such as plastic worms are used for surface fishing. This type of fishing is some of the most exciting in the Ozarks and many anglers travel here to experience a catch in this breathtaking region. Topwater fishing usually occurs after the bass spawn. This happens in between late April and early May.
In Lake Ozarks, bass are most often found near the deeper waters. They also tend to stay around the boat docks and near drop off points until the fall and early winter months, when they tend to head to shallower waters again.
The limit for the amount of fish you can catch is fifteen. This can be filled in 15-20 casts for the more experienced angler on the lake. White Bass tend to school and swim in the shallower waters while the Black Bass are in the deeper waters. Crappie fishing is also incredibly popular for anglers who fish in Lake of the Ozark waters. There is a length limit for Crappie fish of 9 inches. The best time to fish for Crappie is after spawning which tends to occur from mid to late April. However, this fluctuates depending on the weather. The best indicator of the best time for crappie is when the dogwoods bloom.
The Hybrid Stripers and the Striper Bass, which were originally stocked in the Lake back in 1980, are some of the most sought after fish in this area. At this time, the state record for Hybrid Stripers stands at 20.5 lbs. and came from the lake back in 1986. Other state records for fishing in the dragon lake include a 36 lb. 12 oz. Small Mouth Buffalo, a 111 lbs. Paddlefish, a 41 lbs. 2 oz. Muskie, a 40 lbs. Freshwater Drum, and a 91 lbs. Blue Catfish.
Of course, the true catch of the lake is the Paddlefish. Paddlefish, which are also known as Spoonbills, have been around for centuries. In fact, it is believed they date back as far as the dinosaurs. Anglers typically catch Paddlefish by blind snagging. How this is done is the angler will scout the area for Paddlefish using large hooks and heavy lead sinkers. They can also find these rare fish by casting and retrieving hooks through jerking. The only Paddlefish that can be caught, if they will be caught, are 34 inches and longer during the Paddlish season, which is March 15-April 30.
Lake of the Ozarks fits the needs of so many freshwater fishermen. It does not matter whether you are new to fishing or a seasoned professional. If you want to relax and kick back or catch the Bass you have been dreaming about, then you have come to the right place.
If you want to experience fishing with the assistance of a qualified guide, you should consider one of the many fishing charters in Lake of the Ozarks. Some of the most popular charters include Firstmate Fishing Charters, Show Me Guide Service, and Hook-Em Guide Service. To find out more, search online for Fishing Charters in Lake of the Ozarks.
