Best Time to Fish in Lake of the Ozarks
Missouri · Thursday, October 22
🌅
7:27 AM
Sunrise
🌇
6:24 PM
Sunset
🌙
89%
Moon
The next 7 days in Lake of the Ozarks
| Day | Dawn window | Dusk window | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 6:57 AM – 8:27 AM | 4:54 PM – 6:54 PM | 🌔 Waxing Gibbous · 89% |
| Fri, Oct 23 | 6:58 AM – 8:28 AM | 4:53 PM – 6:53 PM | 🌔 Waxing Gibbous · 95% |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 6:59 AM – 8:29 AM | 4:52 PM – 6:52 PM | 🌕 Full Moon · 99% |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | 4:51 PM – 6:51 PM | 🌕 Full Moon · 100% |
| Mon, Oct 26 | 7:01 AM – 8:31 AM | 4:49 PM – 6:49 PM | 🌕 Full Moon · 99% |
| Tue, Oct 27 | 7:02 AM – 8:32 AM | 4:48 PM – 6:48 PM | 🌖 Waning Gibbous · 96% |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 7:03 AM – 8:33 AM | 4:47 PM – 6:47 PM | 🌖 Waning Gibbous · 91% |
Dawn and dusk windows are computed from sunrise/sunset for Lake of the Ozarks; times shown in local time. Best-window ranges are guidance, not guarantees — weather and tides matter too.
Today's best windows in Lake of the Ozarks
🌅 Dawn — 6:57 AM to 8:27 AM
The first light window is the most reliable bite of the day for most species — fish move shallow to feed before the sun gets high.
🌇 Dusk — 4:54 PM to 6:54 PM
The last couple hours of light are the second prime window, especially as water cools and bait moves.
🌙 Moon — Waxing Gibbous (89% lit)
A bright moon means more overnight feeding, which can slow the midday bite — lean on the dawn and dusk windows. Solunar activity is strongest around the new and full moons.
Sunrise, sunset, and moon phase are computed for Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri); times shown in local time. Best-window ranges are guidance, not guarantees — weather and tides matter too.
Get the precise solunar + tide forecast for your spot
Dawn and dusk are the reliable daily answer, but the exact solunar major/minor periods and the tides for the specific water you're fishing shift day to day. The MyFishingBuds AI Trip Planner pulls live NOAA, USGS, and solunar data to score the best times for your exact Lake of the Ozarks spot.
See the AI Trip Planner →Best season to fish Lake of the Ozarks
Bass fishing peaks in the spring spawn (April and May) and again in fall as fish chase shad into the coves; summer bass fishing means early mornings and shooting docks in the shade to beat the heat and the heavy recreational boat traffic. The crappie fishery is a Lake of the Ozarks calling card — best around the spring spawn (April) when fish move to the docks and brush, and again in fall. White bass run up the feeder creeks in spring. Catfish fish hard through the summer, especially at night. Because it is a busy recreation lake, early mornings and the cooler months are the most pleasant times to fish.
Best time to fish in Lake of the Ozarks — FAQ
What is the best time of day to fish in Lake of the Ozarks?
The most reliable windows are the low-light hours around sunrise and sunset. Today in Lake of the Ozarks, sunrise is about 7:27 AM and sunset about 6:24 PM, so the dawn and dusk windows either side of those are your best bets — especially on an overcast day or a moving tide.
Does the moon affect fishing in Lake of the Ozarks?
Yes. The strongest solunar feeding periods and biggest tides come around the new and full moons. The moon is currently a Waxing Gibbous (89% illuminated). For the precise solunar major/minor times and tides for your exact spot, use the MyFishingBuds AI Trip Planner.
What is the best season to fish in Lake of the Ozarks?
Bass fishing peaks in the spring spawn (April and May) and again in fall as fish chase shad into the coves; summer bass fishing means early mornings and shooting docks in the shade to beat the heat and the heavy recreational boat traffic. The crappie fishery is a Lake of the Ozarks calling card — best around the spring spawn (April) when fish move to the docks and brush, and again in fall. White bass run up the feeder creeks in spring. Catfish fish hard through the summer, especially at night. Because it is a busy recreation lake, early mornings and the cooler months are the most pleasant times to fish.
Do I need a fishing license to fish in Lake of the Ozarks?
Yes — most adult anglers need a Missouri fishing license. See the Missouri fishing license guide for 2026 resident and non-resident prices, who's exempt, and where to buy.
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