Frozen Lake Conditions Daily Update and Tournaments Update
Lake of the Ozarks was frozen from dam to dam. Watch this article for daily updates regarding the lake conditions as well as updates on up-coming tournaments.
Saturday, February 26th, 2021 (last update on lake ice)
The lake continues to thaw out nicely. The main lake and big creeks are open on the main channels. Many coves especially North and East facing coves are clear of ice to at least half way back with other creeks thawing and opening up more and more everyday. The very backs of creeks/coves still have some ice but that is clearing too.
There has been some skim ice on the lake in the early morning and there is some ice chunks and slush ice in areas of the main lake so keep a watch for that when running.
PM Report, 10:30+ this evening, some hard rain happening now. The rains should help break up that creek ice, good stuff. The lake should be good and all fishable soon. This rain could create some run off too, so check those run off areas as that should create some good fresh oxygenated water and wash some fresh nutrients and small bait like stuff to wash into the water, that the bass will love to eat.
For now, I think we are out of the ice, hopefully that will be all that we see for 2021.
Tight lines All.
Friday, February 25th, 2021
The lake continues on a slow thaw, however it is fishable finally. This morning there was skim ice on the water early which mostly cleared by about 9:00-10, Im guessing due to over night temps below freezing. We may continue to see that periodically over the next week depending on night time temperatures, rain and wind at night and morning.
For the most part the main lake is open. We do however need to watch for floating ice, as the lake thaw up the river is bringing some chunk ice down the main lake. The north and east creeks continue to thaw faster than the south and west creeks. Some small North and East creeks are open with the bigger ones open about 1/4-1/2 back, that should continue to get better over the coming week if the forecast of sunshine and 40-50’s degree temps hold.
Today, I got on the water for a few hours, the water from the lower Glaize to the Toll Bridge was mostly stained but fishable. My bite sucked, but it felt good to be throwing at em.
Tournaments Update
Anglers in Action February 28th has been cancelled.
FLW Toyota Series – Tournament Director, Mark McWha was here today driving around the lake to check it out, later in the day I got a text message, that the tournament which starts next Thursday is on.
FLW is looking for a few more boaters for the tournament, so if you want to fish call FLW at 270-252-1000 to register.
Bass World, March 7th – I talked to Greg West this evening, the tournament is on.
Also, check out Member David Holbrook Member Report and Video of Lake Area Boat Ramps.
Thursday, February 24th, 2021
The lake continues to thaw at a good rate. Nearly all of the main lake of the Osage, Ninanguas, Gravois and Glaize are mostly all open. I will be checking out how far up I can get in the Glaize tomorrow.
I was told that there is an ice jam from ice thaw up the river, with the jam being at Hurricane Deck Bridge.
North and East facing creeks/coves are thawing too, some of them all of the way back depending on length and depth of the coves but most at least the mouth and 1/4 way back are fishable. The south and west coves are still ice covered, but hopefully with the warm weather the next week, the creeks and coves will thaw to a level that they are fishable, especially ahead of next weeks FLW Toyota 3 Day tournament starting next Thursday.
Ramps have now become the question with the low water, 653.04 I will be checking out ramps tomorrow. I checked PB2 today and saw boats pulling in and out with-out problem, see pics.
Tournaments Update
Anglers in Action February 28th has been cancelled.
FLW Toyota Series – still waiting to see. After the thawing I saw today, I would upgrade my odds to close to 100% especially due to forecast for the coming week.
Bass World, March 7th – still waiting to see, however if the weather forecast for the next week holds, it should be good to fish.
Check out video today by “The Legend” Bill Davenport regarding the baits and patterns over the next couple of weeks after the ice thaw.
Photos from around the lake today.
Wednesday, February 24th, 2021
Wow, there was a noticeable difference in the lake thaw today. After yesterdays high 60’s air temp and todays mid 50’s air temps and stronger winds, the main lake has really opened up. Most of the main lake is pretty open now. The coves and creeks mostly still have ice, but the coves and creeks that are north facing are breaking up pretty good. I had reports today that most of the Niangua and Little Niangua are pretty much open on the main lake and somewhat into the creeks.
PB2 ramp area is totally open, lower Glaize from PB2 to main confluence of Osage is mostly all open.
PB2 Ramp is open, however with low water 653.12 right now, 6:10PM. You will have to be very cautious launching your boat with the lake this low, however, I talked to two anglers that launched their boats at PB2 in the past couple of days they had no problem other than a bit of ice on the ramp at the waters edge.
I just now got a report that the Hurricane Deck Bridge area is still iced over on main lake. I will check that area out tomorrow.
Tournaments Update
Anglers in Action February 28th has been cancelled.
FLW Toyota Series – still waiting to see. After the thawing I saw today, I would upgrade my odds to 85% especially due to forecast for the coming week.
Bass World, March 7th – still waiting to see, however if the weather forecast for the next week holds, it should be good to fish.
Fishing
The last several days I have fished below the dam, the water is open to fish, but with 34-37 degree water temps the bite had been very tough. A handful of KY’s. The bite is very tough below the dam.
Check out video from Bassing Ben, Fishing Techniques/Patterns/Lake Areas and Baits 1-2 weeks after the ice thaw.
Pictures from today around the lake.
Tuesday February 23rd, 2021
Today the air temps reached into the upper 60s to low 70’s. It felt so good. I fished a river today with Jack, the bite sucked but if felt good to be fishing. I actually think Jack and I actually got a bit of sunburn, LOL.
There was some good melting of the ice today but the majority of the lake still has ice. There are a few fairly big patches that I saw near the confluence of the Glaize and Osage that were open.
I took pics today around the Toll Bridge, from JB Hooks, at the Dam, the mouth of the Glaize from Lands End and the lower Glaize from my condo. You will see that all areas that I took pictures still have a lot of ice. Hopefully the next few days of 50 degree air temps will continue to move the thaw in the right direction.
Tournaments Update
Anglers in Action February 28th has been cancelled.
FLW Toyota Series – still waiting to see. After the thawing I saw today, I would upgrade my odds to 50/50.
Bass World, March 7th – still waiting to see.
Monday February 22nd, 2021
The lake is still frozen throughout the lake with rather thick ice, up to 4″ – 6″. The snow has melted off most of the lake. Today we had 40-50 degree temps with 6-10MPH winds but I saw very little change in the ice conditions. We are still forecast for 50 degree temps and even in the low 60’s this week but no rain forecast, which would accelerate the melt. I through some big rocks onto the lake today and they just bounced off the ice.
Tournaments Update
Anglers in Action February 28th has been cancelled.
FLW Toyota Series – still waiting to see, however, I think this one is only 30% chance with little practice time as I doubt early next week the lake will be fishable.
Bass World, March 7th – still waiting to see.
Pictures Today
Pictures today were taken at PB2 which is somewhat open due to the ice breakers running around the docks, the ramp is open. The other pictures are looking down at the 27mm toward Linn Creek and toward Margaritaville and pictures taken at Margaritaville at 26mm, including the back of Margaritaville cove by boat ramp.
The lake has been drawn down to 652.9, which is the lowest I have ever seen since I have lived on the lake.
Sunday February 21st, 2021
There was no real noticeable change to the frozen lake today. Most of the snow has melted off the ice however the ice is still covering the lake and creeks. There was a small amount of melt today. We are starting to see a very slight bit of water on top of the ice, that will likely freeze tonight. I have heard some reports of some small openings in the ice on the main lake, but nothing that is really creating much progress. Today’s temperatures were mid 30’s – to 42 degrees, overcast, 8-10MPH wind and misty rain this afternoon.
The forecast this week shows sunny days with highs in the 50’s. So there is some hope for some good melting this week.
Tournaments Update
No new updates from yesterday.
See Bassing Rob’s interview from Fitz Fishing regarding his thoughts regarding how the bite will be the days/weeks after the lake thaw.
February 20th, 2021
While difficult to gauge how thick the ice is on the lake, I have heard reports of 5′-8″ of ice and of cars actually driving on the ice in toward the backs of creeks.
From my experience of 2014, when the lake froze, it took 2-3 weeks for it to thaw. There is some warm weather forecast for the coming week, with the ice so thick, some thawing will take place each day but likely freeze again at night. The main lake will thaw the quickest but the coves and creeks will take some time to thaw.
As the snow melts off the ice, we are seeing shad dying as the lake is very cold.
Here are some pics of the lake today. Pictures are taken from JB Hooks near the toll bridge, the dam area and the Glaize.
You can also see from some of the photos the amount of water of the past week that has been pulled from the lake. The lake level as of now is 653.38, down nearly 7′ from full pool. From what I have heard they plan to pull the lake down more, perhaps as much as another foot.
Tournaments Update
Anglers in Action, February 28th. They are monitoring the lake daily and plan to make a final decision by mid week. However, it is doubtful they will be able hold this tournament. Just have to see if this warm weather, rain and wind this week will make any difference.
MLF/FLW Toyota Series, March 4th-6th – They plan to continue to monitor the lake conditions.
Bass World Sports Tournament Association, March 7th – they plan to monitor the lake conditions.