Conditions
Surface temps are running 56–68°F depending on the arm, with southern coves and protected flats warming fastest. The Pomme de Terre Arm and Osceola-side pockets are already pushing the upper end of that range on sunny afternoons. Expect continued warming through the week. Water clarity is fair to good in the Osage Arm and main lake; the Sac River Arm is carrying some stain after recent rains, which is actually holding crappie shallow and close to cover. Wind has been light to moderate out of the south — classic April stuff. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms and get off the water early if you see anvil clouds building.
Crappie Report
This is it — the window anglers wait all year for. With water temps crossing 60°F in the warmer arms, black crappie are staging on shallow brush and flooded wood from 3 to 8 feet deep. White crappie are mixing in on the same structure and pushing even shallower in the stained water of the Sac Arm.
The Pomme de Terre Arm is producing the most consistent shallow bite right now. Look for fish tucked tight to flooded timber in 4–6 feet of water. The Tebo Arm is similarly strong — there's a ton of brush holding fish in the 5–10 foot range. On the Grand River Arm out of Bucksaw and Long Shoal, the spawn is likely running 7–10 days behind the southern arms, so fish there are still in the pre-spawn staging phase at 10–15 feet on main-lake brush piles.
Best baits: 1/16 oz jigheads tipped with a chartreuse or pink curly-tail — or a live minnow under a slip float for anglers who want to let the bait do the work. In cleaner water, natural colors like smoke and pearl are producing. In the stained Sac Arm, go brighter — pink, orange, or lime green. Keep presentations slow. If you're getting hits but not landing fish, slow down even more.
Limit catches are realistic right now for anglers who put in the time. Minimum size is 9 inches — carry a measuring board.
Bass Report
Largemouth are in pre-spawn to spawn mode. Fish in the 2–5 lb class are showing up on main-lake riprap, especially along the Osage Arm near Sterett Creek and Truman State Park. Flipping a black-and-blue jig or a beaver-style soft plastic into flooded brush at the back of coves is the move in the morning. As water temps tick above 65°F on the sunny side of any cove, look for fish pushing onto visible flats to bed. Topwater is worth throwing at first light — a walking bait like a Zara Spook over shallow brush can produce explosive strikes. Keep a shaky head on the bottom of the rod for the mid-morning lull.
Catfish Report
Channel catfish are active and feeding in the 55–65°F water. Cut shad and chicken liver are both working along the river channel edges and main-lake flats. The Osage Arm channel near Warsaw is a reliable producer this time of year. Blues are holding deeper in the main-river channel — 20 to 30 feet — and are a slower, more targeted bite. Flatheads are starting to move but won't hit peak activity until water consistently clears 65°F. If you're targeting catfish, anchor up on a channel bend near a flat and use fresh-cut shad. Night outings from the marinas are picking up.
Where to Fish This Week
- Pomme de Terre Arm flats and timber — Best shallow crappie action on the lake right now. Focus on the back thirds of coves in 4–7 feet.
- Tebo Arm brush — Quieter than the main lake, flooded timber loaded with crappie. Great for a half-day trip from the south end.
- Osage Arm riprap near Sterett Creek Marina — Best bet for largemouth bass this week, plus crappie on the deeper brush just off the bank.
Pro Tip
When crappie are this shallow, boat position matters more than bait color. Stay well back from your target cover — 15 to 20 feet minimum — and use a long rod (10–12 ft) to place your jig without the boat's shadow spooking fish off the bed. Crappie in 4 feet of water on a sunny afternoon can see your hull. Approach quietly, cut the trolling motor early, and let the float drift naturally to the wood. Anglers who do this consistently out-fish everyone else on the water this time of year.