UTERLargemouth bass fishing in Missouri freshwater
In Missouri freshwater, largemouth bass peak April–June and October–November and are around year-round, spawning in May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Table Rock and Truman pre-spawn: jerkbaits on the windblown points.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Largemouth bass in Missouri freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakTable Rock and Truman pre-spawn: jerkbaits on the windblown points.
- MaySpawningOn the beds in the pockets; Truman's flooded timber.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish largemouth bass near Table Rock Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake
Ozark highland reservoirs, spring-fed trout parks, clear smallmouth rivers, Truman's flooded timber, and the paddlefish runs and big-river catfish.
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in Missouri freshwater?
Peak season is April–June and October–November, with fish spawning in May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are here year-round. April: Table Rock and Truman pre-spawn: jerkbaits on the windblown points.
Where do largemouth bass hold in Missouri freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around Table Rock Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Bull Shoals, Current River, Bennett Spring.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in Missouri freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in Missouri freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and change — read the current rule at https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://mdc.mo.gov/permits.
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