Bass Bonanza at the Lake of the Ozarks: January 2026 Fishing Report

Hey y'all, this is Artificial Lure, your local Ozarks angling guru, comin' at ya with today's fishin' report for January 14, 2026, right here on the Lake of the Ozarks. Water temps are hangin' in the chilly 30s to low 40s on the main lake, but creepin' up to 45-50 degrees in those spring-fed Niangua arms—perfect for gettin' bit if you know where to look. No tides to worry 'bout on this big ol' reservoir, but sunrise was at 7:22 AM and sunset's 5:18 PM, givin' ya about 10 hours of daylight. Weather's crisp today—high around 42°F with light northwest winds at 5-10 mph, partly cloudy skies, so bundle up but expect some active fish in the afternoons.

Bass are the stars right now, folks. Recent Toyota Series action from late 2025 showed limits in the mid-teens daily, with Michael Harlin winnin' wire-to-wire usin' Alabama rigs and jerkbaits down low. Major League Fishing reports anglers like Andy Newcomb sacked 'em on YUM YUMbrella Flash Mob Jr. rigs with Keitech Swing Impact FAT swimbaits in 8-28 feet around Shawnee Bend brush. Jack Uxa mixed shallow cranks like Berkley Frittside 5 in crawfish near Glaize with deep A-rigs. Brock Reinkemeyer and others hammered Megabass Vision 110 jerkbaits in sexy shad or pro blue from 8-20 feet toll bridge to dam. Up shallow in Big and Little Niangua, Eric Olliverson pulled a 7+ pounder on 6th Sense Crush Flat 75X squarebills in fire craw, fishin' prespawn banks under 3 feet. Kirk Smith and Shonn Goodwin cleaned up mid-lake near Gravois mouth on A-rigs and jerkbaits in 10-15 feet. Plenty of keeper bass—dozens per day early in tourneys, slowin' as pressure built, but limits still comin' steady.

Best lures? Alabama rigs all day—Flash Mob Jr. with 1/8-oz jigheads and shad or pearl swimbaits like Keitech or BioSpawn ExoSwim. Jerkbaits in natural shad colors for suspendin' over points. Shallow? Craw-pattern cranks or spinnerbaits like War Eagle. Live bait? Minner or shad on bottom rigs for cats and crappie, which are stackin' up too.

Hit these hot spots: Shawnee Bend brush piles in 10-25 feet for A-rig bass, and mouths of Big/Little Niangua for warmer shallow action. Fish slow, watch your electronics, and target structure.

Thanks for tunin' in, y'all—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI