Truman Lake, Missouri Fishing Report

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Truman Lake report

May 18, 2008
lake level :   716.54 and falling

lake temp : 60-70 in the backs of coves

lake color : dirty     Grand is muddy Pomme is clean

bass :7 foot has been fair crankbaits on the main lake points soft plastics around the timber about 10 foot

crappie : 12-17 foot deep minnows and jigs suspended off the main points in the timber

some fish starting to show up shallow in the afternoons in the cut ins and pockets 2-6 foot of water using a sliding bobber and minnows we are starting to find a few males up shallow   looking for a spot to get it on :) its getting close to spawn now that the water is warming below the dam is still doing well. Monday is a full Moon and that will move the crappie up shallow for sure since we have a warm weather forecast. some awesome limits being caught in 25 foot of water fishing fishing 10-12 down in the cedars    just like a summer pattern   these fish are in a staging pattern making quick runs to the bank when they can with the water falling

walleye : they are on the flat points near the channel using crankbaits and minnows on the bottom

whites and hybrids : on main lake points in the current and windy bluffs

catfish : blue cats   cut shad  6-10 foot of water on the mud flats and flooded grass near the channel    channel cats in the backs of coves near timber using worms

(left) Jared Reynolds and rewards for his days work on Truman Lake.

May 3, 2008
lake level :   716.33 and falling

lake temp : 53 - 60 in the backs of coves

lake color : dirty     grand is muddy

bass : 3-7 foot has been fair depending on the weather black spinnerbaits on the secondary points and baby Bushhogs and Moman beavertails in the cut ins on the creek channel around brush piles some really nice fish being caught just not many of them

crappie : 12-17 foot deep minnows and jigs suspended off the secondary points drifting across the points against the wind .

some fish starting to show up shallow in the afternoons in the cut ins and pockets 2-6 foot of water using a sliding bobber and minnows we are starting to find a few males up shallow   looking for a spot to get it on :) its getting close to spawn now that the water is warming below the dam is still doing well. Monday is a New Moon and that will move the crappie up shallow for sure since we have a warm weather forecast.

walleye : they should be up stream finishing spawn and below the dam you might catch one on the flat points near the channel

whites and hybrids : some below the dam being caught in the currant    no report on Truman yet they should be on main lake points in the current

catfish : blue cats   cut shad  6-10 foot of water on the mud flats and flooded grass near the channel    channel cats in the backs of coves near timber using worms

4-25-08

Lake level :   718.74 and starting to fall again

Lake temp : 50 - 60 in the backs of coves 62 in places in the osage arm

Lake color : dirty     some clean areas no drift wood to speak of

bass : has been fair depending on the weather spinnerbaits on the points and baby Bushhogs on the flats around cedars some really nice fish being caught more #s of fish showing up you just have to hit them in the head once you find them in 10 foot or less around brush piles and staging areas getting ready to spawn

crappie : 10-15 foot deep minnows and jigs scattered around timber and bluffs

below the dam is doing well rite now also in the afternoon in the warmer h2o we are starting to find a few males up shallow   looking for a spot to get it on :) its getting close to spawn now that the water is warming. 62 water temp showing up in the pockets near the bluff in 7 foot or less using black and char jigs on the bottom in the afternoons

walleye : they should be up stream finishing spawn. once done with spawn the flat gravel points near the channel will be the next spot they will go to   using night crawlers and bottom bounces   and crankbaits are the best bets

whites and hybrids : some below the dam being caught in the currant    no report on Truman yet they should be on main lake points in the current and at the cut at kk island

catfish : blue cats   cut shad 2-4 foot of water on the mud flats and flooded grass     channel cats in the backs of coves using worms

mushrooms are up !

Truman Lake report

April 21st, 2008

lake level :   720.11 and falling

lake temp : 50

lake color : dirty    clear in the creeks

bass : has been fair depending on the weather spinnerbaits on the points and baby bushhogs on the flats around cedars

crappie : 15-20 foot deep minnows and jigs scattered around timber and bluffs

below the dam is doing well rite now

walleye : they should be up stream finishing spawn and below the dam

whites and hybrids : some below the dam being caught in the currant

catfish : blue cats   cut shad 2-4 foot of water on the mud flats and flooded grass

mushrooms are starting to pop !

Truman Lake report

April 8th, 2008

lake level :   717.51

lake temp : 46

lake color : dirty   the upper arms are muddy

bass : has been fair depending on the weather spinnerbaits on the points and rouges on the flats around cedars

crappie : no report at this time its too early yet

walleye : they should be up stream finishing spawn and below the dam

whites and hybrids : no report .

catfish : blue cats   cut shad 2-4 foot of water on the mud flats and flooded grass

red mushrooms are starting to pop !

Sept ,2007

Lake Level: 707
Discharge:  0 cfs as of time of report,   releasing some in the afternoons
Water Temp: 82 degrees
Water Color: Osage is stained, KK Island is stained but nice and here at the marina it is stained   Pomme is clean
Lots of schools of bait fish   everywhere .!

Bass: best is early in the day start with topwater then spinner bait then worms

Crappie: being found in 30-35 foot water down about 10-12    , minnows on the bridge piers working to . I've been finding some in 10-12 foot of water in the brush down 6-8    using jigs    of the late afternoon

Walleye:   Use a spoon on gravel points and drop offs Crankbait and rattletraps in same areas in 2-6 foot of water

White bass/hybrids: white and hybrids still on the humps at kk island in 15 foot of water using a spoon . many whites are on the wind blown gravel points using rattle traps and rooster tails in 2-6 foot of water in the mouths of coves

Catfish:   blues are in 15 20 foot of water on the flats using cut shad .

Until next time (whenever that may be ) good luck and take care out
there on the lake

Jason Reynolds
Osage Bluff Marina
www.osagebluff.com

June 2007

Lake Level: 710    and falling :)
Discharge:  35,000 cfs as of time of report,
Water Temp:  78 + degrees
Water Color: Osage is muddy, KK Island is dirty and here at the marina has stain   Pomme is lightly stained
the spawn must of been successful , we are seeing shad all over the place just not in schools yet so the fish are scatted but biting pretty good

Bass:   Bass are being caught with crankbaits on the main lake points and jigs and Bushhogs around the timbered points. buzzbaits and Highrollers are catching some early in the day   . the fish are going to summer patterns away from post spawn seeing fish being caught on carolina rigs and senkos

Crappie:  Crappie are moving to their summer pattern in 15-35 foot of water off the side or near the channel 10-20 ft deep.  Some fish holding on the main lake points with timber. Minnows are working best and I found that jigging a chrome 1/4 spoon in the cedars was costly but effective on big crappie in 22 foot of water on the bottom

Walleye: Use a spoon or crankbait on gravel points near channel drop offs. Prime spots are danger buoys and cut at KK island. minnows and night crawlers drifting with bottom bouncers in 10 foot +,-on flat gravel points .

White bass/hybrids: with the water getting back to normal the fish are starting to show up on the surface but its scattered being as the shad are tiny and not schooled up yet .don't forget to mach the hatch with lure size !

Catfish:  flatheads are near river channel using perch or goldfish . the blue cats are in spawn now but many 5 lbs fish are being caught 10-15 foot drifting cut shad

remember the limit on cat fish changed from 10   to 5 fish for the daily limit

Until next time (whenever that may be ) good luck and take care out
there on the lake

Jason Reynolds
Osage Bluff Marina
www.osagebluff.com

May 20 2007

Lake Level: 721.79    and falling :)
Discharge:  35,000 cfs as of time of report,
Water Temp:  75 degrees
Water Color: Osage is muddy, KK Island is dirty and here at the marina has color   Pomme is lightly stained
the spawn must of been successful , we are seeing schools of fry showing up this week

Bass:   Bass are being caught with crankbaits on the main lake points and jigs and Bushhogs around the timbered points.  try fishing the old grassline .    Buzzbaits and topwater, buzzbaits and highrollers are catching some early in the day in the grass.   Not seeing many big fish after spawn most are skinny rite now

Crappie:  Crappie are moving to their summer pattern in 25-60 foot of water off the side or near the channel 10-20 ft deep.  Some fish holding on the main lake points with timber. Minnows are working best and I found that jigging a chrome spoon in the cedars was costly but effective on big crappie in 22 foot of water on the bottom

Walleye:   Use a spoon or crankbait on gravel points near channel drop offs. Prime spots are danger buoys and cut at KK island. minnows and night crawlers drifting with bottom bouncers in 10 foot +,-on flat gravel points .

White bass/hybrids: The white bass are on the flats and southern humps in 12-17 foot of water,  some nice fish 2-3 pounds on average being caught. 1/2 oz jigging spoon is the best lure to use as always.  Schools of hybrids are mixed in with the whites you just have to locate and try to keep up with a school.   the channel swings in the Pomme and the Osage and the cut at KK Island, will be holding fish as long as they are pulling water from the lake the weir should be good too

Catfish:  flatheads are near river channel using perch or goldfish . channel cat are everywhere and catching on anything   leeches are a great bait . blue cat   jugs in 60 foot of water fishing down only 2 -6 foot ,rod and reel fishing is good not many big boys rite now but plenty of eaters being caught 25-40 of water drifting with shad ,   cat fish are pre-spawn for another week or so then they will go on the bed during June

remember the limit on cat fish changed from 10   to 5 fish for the daily limit

Until next time (whenever that may be ) good luck and take care out
there on the lake

Jason Reynolds
Osage Bluff Marina
www.osagebluff.com

Fishing report as of : April 23rd, 2007

Good Luck...

Lake Level : 709.92 Discharging 15,800cfs

Lake Temperature : 55  Degrees at the dam 56 here and up to 62 in the backs of coves

Lake Color : Dirty, Osage is muddy with lots of floaters, Pommee is in good shape

Bass :  lot of fish being caught using spinnerbaits and chatter baits , dark ones if your fishing muddy water   several fish coming out of the flooded grass and don't pass up any lay downs the fish are holding tight to cover in 3 foot of water or less in the back 1/3 of the coves. I have seen many nice stringer of bass this week, they are healthy good looking fish this year ready 4 spawn most don't look like they have spawned yet   but that why they are shallow ,to do their thing ;)



Crappie : with the full moon coming up on the 2nd I would say the 3 days b4 and after that should be the FIRST wave of crappie to come to the banks weather and lake permitting . we are seeing some up in shallow water but it is spotty some are coming from backs of coves where the water is warming up faster the water depth has varied from 2 - 20 foot of water but the most common is 4- 6 foot deep around the cedars in the cuts of a cove bobbers are starting to work at 2-3 foot floating in to shore but remember as of to day its SPOTTY many anglers were disappointed this weekend   but it is just starting and will keep getting better. I did several nice limits of crappie from the anglers that found a bunched up mess of crappie

Walleye : they should be all over spawning and going back home stating to see a few keeper size show up on a minnow while crappie fishing on the gravel points around cedars u should be able to start using a crankbait or rattle trap on the gravel points very soon

Whites and Hybrids : I heard of a few on the Ozarks at the mouth of the creek where the wind was blowing    I haven't heard of any pattern on Truman yet   so if you have one let me hear it . 1 or 2 while crappie fishing on minnows being reported

Catfish : 30 feet of water, main lake points, cut bait, shallow water (2-4 feet) on sunny days in the grass with a mud bottom

"Even if you've been fishing for three hours

and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and sunburn,

you're still better off than the worm."

As most of you know we have had a long winter with all the damage and a longer spring trying to get put back together we have came a long way since Jan we still have some to go but we are open and hopefully by mid of April weather permitting we will be wrapping it up . With all the construction we have created a mess so please excuse it and be mindful there are areas that are work zones so please stay out of harms way   sorry if there are any inconveniences in our repairs but it will be bigger and better than before thanks

Jason Reynolds

March 31st, 2007

lake level :   707.51

lake temp : 59

lake color : stained   the upper arms are dirty

Osage Bluff Marina will open for the season on April 6th, 2007.

bass : has been fair to good depending on the weather jigs 6 foot of water spinnerbaits in the coves and back of pockets and rouges on the flats around cedars but that bite is slowing down

crappie : have been good all spring so far lots of nice fish and not many small ones jigs in 8-12 foot of water in the brush minnows are starting to work well in the last few days .    I have had many people tell me the males are moving in to the banks way up stream like sparrow foot and brushy creek  , the water is warming up quick and the fish are putting on weight for spawn   , it will still be a couple of weeks yet until spawn starts around here and it should last 2-3 weeks depending on mother nature

walleye : they should be up stream finishing spawn and below the dam

whites and hybrids : I heard of a few on the Ozarks at the mouth of the creek where the wind was blowing    I haven't heard of any pattern on Truman yet   so if u have one let me hear it .

catfish : blue cats   cut shad 2-4 foot of water on the mud flats and flooded grass

Oct 8 ,2006

Lake Level: 704.5
Discharge:  0 cfs as of time of report,
Water Temp: 69  degrees
Water Color: Osage is stained, KK Island is stained but nice and here at the marina it is stained   Pomme is clean
Lots of schools of bait fish   everywhere .! moving in to the coves   .   the lake has turned over and cleaning up nice   the fish have been picking up everyday

Bass:   Bass are being caught with crankbaits on the secondary points and tubes around the timbered points.   Most fish are being caught on spinnerbaits in the mouths of coves Buzzbaits and topwater are catching some early in the day.

Crappie: some being found in 30-35 foot water down about 10-12    , minnows on the bridge piers working to . I've been finding some in 10-12 foot of water in the brush down 6-8    using jigs    of the late afternoon seeing some fish move up next to the shore in 3 foot of water on the gravel banks using jigs and roadrunners

Click on image to see full size picture.

Look at this enormous 3.4 lb crappie caught by Calvin Douglass this season.

Walleye: Use a spoon on gravel points Crankbait and rattletraps in same areas in 2-6 foot of water

White bass/hybrids: some white and hybrids still on the humps at kk island in 15 foot of water using a spoon . many small white are on the wind blown gravel points using rattel traps and rooster tails in 2-6 foot of water in the mouths of coves

Catfish:   blues are in 30-35 foot of water on the flats using cut shad .

Until next time (whenever that may be ) good luck and take care out
there on the lake

Jason Reynolds
Osage Bluff Marina
www.osagebluff.com

Aug 1 ,2006

Lake Level: 705.5
Discharge:  0 cfs as of time of report,
Water Temp:  87 degrees
Water Color: Osage is stained, KK Island is stained but nice and here at the marina it is stained   Pomme is clean
Lots of f schools of bait fish   everywhere .

Bass:   Bass are being caught with crankbaits on the main lake points and jigs around the timbered points.   Most fish are being caught on big worms, tubes, wacky worms, and carolina rigs near the drop offs of the channel or bluffs in 15 foot of water or so.   Buzzbaits and topwater are catching some early in the day.   Not seeing many big fish cought.

Crappie:  Crappie are on their summer pattern in 25-40 foot of water off the side or near the channel 17-20 ft deep.  Some fish holding on the main lake points with timber. Minnows are working best and I found that jigging a chrome spoon in the cedars was costly but effective on big crappie in 22 foot of water on the bottom

Click on image to see full size picture.

Look at this enormous 3.4 lb crappie caught by Calvin Douglass this season.

Walleye: Use a spoon on gravel points near channel drop offs. Prime spots are danger buoys and cut at KK island. Crankbait and rattletraps in same areas are picking up a few.

White bass/hybrids: The white bass are on the flats and southern humps in 12-17 foot of water,  some nice fish 2-3 pounds on average being caught. 1/2 oz jigging spoon is the best lure to use as always.  Schools of hybrids are mixed in with the whites you just have to locate and try to keep up with a school. some have been seen surfacing of an evening at the channel swings in the Pomme and the Osage and the cut at KK Island, some nice hybrids starting to show up there has been some top water action with the warming water. Match the bait size with your lures.

Catfish:   Some nice big blues being caught on trout lines 10-15 foot down on the flats using goldfish and cut bait. An abundance of fish are being caught in 20-22 foot of water using cut shad drifting KK flats but no real big ones. Please keep in mind the cat fish rules have changed this year and you are allowed 5 instead of 10.

Until next time (whenever that may be ) good luck and take care out
there on the lake

Jason Reynolds
Osage Bluff Marina
www.osagebluff.com

Lying midway between three large metropolitan areas, Truman Lake has become a Mecca for fishermen, vacationers, and outdoors lovers of all kinds. A short one hour drive from Kansas City or Springfield will place one on the lakes beautiful protected shorelines. St. Louis is only about 2 hours and 45 minutes from the lake also. Wildlife is abundant everywhere one looks because of the restriction preventing development close to the waters edge. Wild turkey, deer, bald eagles, and even an occasional black bear, roam the 185,000 acres of timber and scattered meadows, surrounding the lake.

The lake was formed when the Osage River was dammed at Warsaw in 1979, backing up 55,000 acres of water at normal pool. There are five tributaries that furnish runoff into the lake. The largest is the Osage River with its headwaters in the state of Kansas to the west. Grand River begins south of Kansas City and passes just south of the city of Clinton. The Pomme De Terre River flows from the base of the dam at Pomme De Terre Lake from the south, one of the few north flowing streams in the US. The Little Pomme De Terre River and Tebo Creek make up most of the rest of the inflow.

Each arm of the lake is unique in terrain and water quality. This is great for fishing because it gives an angler plenty of options in selecting where to fish on any given day. With the help of the Missouri Conservation Department often noted as the best in the US, the fishing has been nothing short of phenomenal for the last twenty years. Crappie, Bass, Walleye, Hybrid Bass, and Catfish, along with several other species, give everyone something to go fishing for. With many public boat ramps and five major marinas on the lake, access is easy from any direction of travel. The cites of Warsaw at the dam and Clinton on the upper Grand River Arm provide many restaurants, motels, and activities such as shopping for the many visitors in the area. There are several campgrounds at the waters edge mostly operated by the Corps of Engineers, along with private campgrounds adjoining the lake boundary.

The lake receives traffic almost the entire year with two wild turkey seasons, duck season, and a year round open fishing season. Many National and regional fishing tournaments are held on the lake which is a favorite among avid bass fishermen from all over the United States. The true southern hospitality of the people who live here year round makes the lake area a wonderful place to visit no matter when you have the opportunity. A short drive even for a day trip will remove you instantly from the traffic and busy lives in the Big City.

Osage Bluff Marina sits at the confluence of the Osage and Pomme De Terre Rivers and is the only marina south of the dam. Long a favorite launching site for fishermen and hunters they offer every service a visitor needs for a great stay at the lake. Quality lodging at Osage Bluff Lodge, Boat service center, bait and tackle, covered slips, and even a floating restaurant, make it a headquarters for many.