Catfish Fishing in Lake of the Ozarks

Yes. Anglers fishing in Lake of the Ozarks need a valid Missouri fishing license (with the right freshwater or saltwater privileges for where you fish). Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our Missouri guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.

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.

Create a free MyFishingBuds profile, set Catfish as a target species, and pick Lake of the Ozarks as your area. You'll be matched with nearby anglers who target the same species and fish a similar style, so you can plan a trip, share a boat, and split the costs.