Overall it has been a cold winter and cool early spring this year.  We are seeing several spring like days here lately with highs in the 60's and a few in the 70's. Main Lake water temperatures are hanging in the mid 40's. Most of all my guide trips have been in the river sections of the lake. Areas like the Gravois arm, Grand Glaize, upper Osage and big and little Niangua have been significantly warmer. Water temps in these sections of the lake range from 50-57. Bass fishing has been good some days and difficult if not impossible other days. The traditional late winter/early spring baits have been working like jerkbaits and jigs. Look for coves with a mixture of rock with some small gravel in areas. Sunshine for part of the day has helped activate the ecosystem thus making the bass more active. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits can work too. Especially if anyone is fishing the Big Bass Bash this coming weekend try a big swimbait. Remember it's not about catching regular fish, it's about catching THE fish.
Crappie fishing has been excellent. This year we are seeing some of the healthiest big black crappie I've ever seen. Black crappie can be more moody than regular white crappie and can turn on and off depending on the weather and conditions. It's so worth it though and these big stingers full of 12 inch crappie is something that never gets old. These crappie are really better not fired but grilled because they are so big. Look for this April to continue to be a stellar crappie fishing month.
Look for some fish to start spawning here in a few weeks but I'd say the majority of fish to spawn in May. The weather will really warm up here soon and there will be a rush or wave of spawning crappie with in a couple weeks. I believe the full moon is around the 20th or so. We'll have some great but inconsistent fishing for the next couple weeks. Late April and May will be hot and heavy with lots of action. Traditionally I am a main lake guy due to that is where the majority of my business comes from but the river fish will warm up faster and the main lake fish will come later. The spawn will be spread out this year due to the low lake temperatures compared to the warm river temperatures.
Lake level is still low which is pretty typical for right now. Look for a gradually rising lake level over the next 6 weeks. This will help the fish move shallow and hold to the banks. Several boat ramps are inoperable right now so be careful if you have a nice trailer. Good Luck Fishing Everyone. My biggest bass I ever caught came this time of the year 7 years ago. 10.2 pound pig out of a small private lake. -- Black and Blue Jig