Lake of the Ozarks Bass Fishing – 25 Mar 2026 | Fishing report

If you want to know what a classic early spring jerkbait bite looks like on Lake of the Ozarks, this trip is a perfect example.

We hit the water on March 25, 2026 for an afternoon run and found exactly what you’d expect this time of year, fish grouped up on windy banks and ready to eat. We fished from late morning into the evening, about 6 hours and 40 minutes total, under sunny skies with a strong south wind blowing 15 and gusting to nearly 30. Water temps were sitting in that key 56 to 62 degree range, and the lake was stained and still about 5.9 feet below pool, which positioned the fish perfectly.

The bite was steady all day. We ended up putting 34 bass in the boat, with 5 keepers going 24 pounds total. Nothing huge yet, but the quality is starting to show with a couple right at that 2-pound mark. Both of us ended up with 17 fish each, so it was about as even as it gets. I finished with 12.5 pounds, and Billy had 11.6, with his big fish just edging mine at 2.0 pounds.

There really wasn’t much guesswork once we figured it out. This was a wind-driven bank bite, plain and simple. If the wind was hitting it, it was worth fishing. If it wasn’t, you might as well keep moving. The fish weren’t buried in cover yet either. Most of them were just relating to the bank itself, with only one coming off a laydown all day. That tells you they’re still in that transition phase, not fully committed shallow but definitely moving that direction.

The jerkbait absolutely dominated. The Pro Blue color accounted for 32 of the 34 fish and every single keeper we caught. We tried a white swimbait and a PBJ worm just to check, but they only produced one fish each. The fish told us real quick what they wanted, and it didn’t change all day. Even with the sun getting higher, that jerkbait bite just kept going.

The bite had a few small flurries mixed in, but overall it was consistent from start to finish. We picked up a key keeper mid-day at just under 2 pounds, then added a couple more later working the same type of windy banks. Late in the day, I downsized to a 110 Jr jerkbait, which helped keep bites coming as the fish got a little more pressured.

This was just a textbook setup for this lake. Wind, stained water, mid to upper 50s temps, and fish staging on banks. It’s one of those patterns that’s easy to replicate if you focus on the right conditions. The big ones aren’t fully there yet, but it won’t be long.

If you’re fishing Lake of the Ozarks right now, pick up a jerkbait, find some wind, and go to work.

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My Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Reports Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZubefBIucWLmw6xh0nUWv1_tBs0K6YKM

Get more info at Lake of the Ozarks Fish Intel here: https://lakeoftheozarksfishintel.com/

Get an excellent guide, Captain Jack Uxa, here: https://www.lakeoftheozarksfishingguide.com/ 573-434-2570.

Music provided by
🔥 NEFFEX – How’s It Supposed to Feel (Clean)
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Email: ➡ midmoangling@gmail.com
Phone: ➡ 573-246-0814
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:13 – Intro
7:22 – The Highlights
11:42 – Fishing Summary
11:47 – Bait(s)
11:52 – Locations
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About Mid Missouri Angling:
Welcome to our latest bass fishing report from Lake of the Ozarks!
Mark and Billy make up the Mid Missouri Angling Team. We have been fishing together for the last few years on Lake of the Ozarks and in Pulaski County, Missouri and surrounding areas. Join us as we dive into the current conditions, hot spots, and techniques for reeling in that trophy bass. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting, this report has everything you need to plan your next fishing adventure. Don’t miss out on the action – watch now and gear up for an unforgettable day on the water! Remember, have fun out there!