Mozingo Lake

Two area bass fishing organizations have released their schedules for their 2011 Mozingo Lake bass tournaments recently.

Both Division #59 of the American Bass Anglers and N2It Fishing have scheduled several tournaments at Mozingo Lake throughout the 2011 season.

The American Bass Anglers (ABA) Division #59 facilitates draw-style tournaments across parts of northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa as qualifiers to the national championship tournament of the parent organization, ABA.

ABA Division #59 has three one-day and one two-day tournaments pending on:

April 9, 2011,

June 19, 2011,

July 30, 2011 and

8/20-21/2011, respectively.

For more information about these tournaments contact, Rick Riley @ (402) 455-6445.

The N2It Fishing/Tightlines series are buddy-style bass tournaments where the entire series is held at Mozingo Lake. N2It Fishing holds six one-day qualifying events and a final two-day “classic” starting in April and ending in October, 2011.

The six one-day events are scheduled on:

April 10, 2011,

May 15, 2011,

June 5, 2011,

June 26, 2011,

August 14, 2011,

September 11, 2011 and

the two-day Classic is set for October 1-2, 2011.

If you would like more information on the N2It Fishing series, contact Tim Jackson at timn2it@hotmail.com putting N2It Fishing as the subject line or call (660) 582-8842 and leave a message.

Working North End Cover

It’s that time of year again folks where the ice has waned and waters are warming plus spring has arrived …

In tune with these moderating conditions, the walleye, crappie and bass inhabitants of Mozingo Lake are starting to gear up for another phenomenal season of fish catching action.

According to the MDC, one of the first gamefish to head shallow are the walleye they stocked into both Mozingo Lake as well as Bilby Ranch Lake ever since there construction. Both lakes harbor trophy-sized fish (8 pounds plus) that head into rocky shallows at night from now through mid-April to partake in their springtime spawning rituals.

Though spawning walleyes can be difficult to entice with bait or lure, the prospects of catching a true trophy will keep many an angler stoked during their sometimes chilly quest …

In addition to the walleyes, crappie will also be making their rise into the shallows to spawn later in the month with the bass following thereafter.

Definitely an exciting time for anglers who have been patiently(?) waiting for winter to leave and Mozingo Lake fishing to start heating up

Even though the temps have risen again over the last few days, the Fall Equinox has passed and autumn is settling in …

The fishing report from Mozingo Lake and Bilby Ranch Lake finds water temperatures dropping towards the 70 degree mark with water levels and clarity normal for this time of year …

Largemouth bass have been cooperative on both Mozingo and Bilby with the best luck for those focusing on deep to shallow water transition areas as well as areas with brush (Bilby) or flooded timber (both).

Where channel cats are somewhat active if heading to Mozingo Lake, they are more so at Bilby Ranch.  Crappie, bluegill and walleye fishing has been fairly good on lakes.

With a frontal system passing later today and cooling temperatures, this Saturday might be a great day to head out to either lakes … just watch out for the wind!

Image via Wikipedia

It’s finally here …fall is set to arrive in the next few hours!

Not only will we experience growing relief from the heat of summer but Mozingo Lake fishing in general and bass fishing in particular will be getting better and better for the next several weeks …

The changing seasons also means changing environments for our finny-friends so we need to re-think our approach when heading over to Mozingo for a little bass fishing (or walleye or crappie or … you get the picture ) …

Cooler nights and shorter days mean Mozingo Lake’s water temperatures will be “falling” making shallow water environments much more comfortable than even a few short weeks ago … With that in mind, here are a few quick tips to consider the next time you are out on Mozingo taking advantage of the fall bass action:

1. Steeper points at the end of coves provide excellent migration pathways between deeper water safe areas and the shallows. Work these points with deep running crankbaits, Carolina rigs, and jigs to intercept these transient fish;
2. Use weedless lures like frogs over emergent vegetation while the weeds are still healthy and holding fish;
3. Work spinnerbaits and buzzbaits (a personal favorite for fall bass) around the edges of weed beds and through stands of timber in the coves and upper portions of Mozingo;
4. Bass and other gamefish will also be moving shallower along the face of the dam. Don’t be afraid to check the area out with crankbaits, jerkbaits or even a buzzbait; and
5. Use weedless-rigged plastics along with jigs to fish the creek channel edges (particularly on the north end of the reservoir).

So now is the time to head out and enjoy some really great Mozingo Lake bass fishing before “Old Man Winter” sets in with his icy grip …

Just in time for the start of a new month, here is the August 2010 Astro Table to help select those better Mozingo Lake fishing periods …

It seems like the “dog days of summer” really must be settling in as most gamefish in Mozingo have definitely settled into their summer-time patterns.

Water temperatures are still in the high 70s to low 80s across the lake with water levels being near normal for this point in the season. Water clarity is also listed as “clear” by local standards.

The most cooperative species at this point in time are channel cats (mostly on crawlers and minnows) and crappies around deeper water brush. Bluegills, walleye and bass are still cooperating though not as well as catfish and crappies.

Nearby Bilby Ranch Lake is sporting slightly higher water temperatures and clear water clarity.  The lake’s quality largemouth population is active on topwaters during the low-light periods and catfish can be had with will placed cut-bait or chicken livers … Bluegills, walleye and crappies can also be taken though not as readily as bass and channel cats …

Image via Wikipedia

Summer is definitely settling in at Mozingo Lake and this week’s fishing report is prime evidence of it!

Mozingo’s water is still fairly dingy from recent rains with surface temperatures hovering around the 80 degree mark. This is the time of year when jet skiers and tubers are almost as prevalent as anglers but that comes with the territory we guess.

Bass topwater action is almost as hot as the weather but the surface bite is limited to the periods of low light around dawn and dusk.  At other times be sure to check out deeper structure and cover near topwater bite locations with jigs, Texas rigged plastics or drop shot rigs when needing a more vertical presentation.

Crappie fishing is getting better around deeper water brush piles while walleyes are scattered both in numbers and locations.  Those anglers seeking channel cats seem to be having the best luck at night but you do have to contend with a bug or two …

If you have traveled out to the City Ramp at Mozingo Lake recently you should have noticed a new addition on the south side of the concrete boat ramp.  Over a several week period, efforts from the Mozingo Park staff created a small peninsula type structure made of rock and fill materials paralleling the boat ramp.

At first, we thought another boat dock may be in the works but were we wrong!

New Fish Cleaning Station @ City Ramp!

After the land structure was created, a concrete fish cleaning station with table, hand pump and drainage chute was constructed along with a metal-roofed canopy to offer shelter from the elements.

This is the second Mozingo ramp area with a fish cleaning station making post-harvest duties easier on visiting anglers. The main ramp area already has a fish cleaning station located on the northern edge of the paved parking area adjacent to the rest station.

Seems like things are getting better and better out at Mozingo!

Image via Wikipedia

In addition to the holiday festivities scheduled at Mozingo Lake this weekend, taking a little time to do some fishing may be worth the effort too …

This week’s Mozingo fishing report definitely provides something extra with all the activity out at the park …

Now that summer’s weather patterns settling in, Mozingo’s water temperatures have finally reached the 8o degree mark with water levels still on the high side and clarity fairly dingy from recent rains …

Channel cats are still cooperating on cut-bait while the crappie are setting up shop out on the deeper brush piles. Seems like a few bluegills are ready to be taken while the walleye are doing ok though still scattered around the main lake …

Largemouth bass are also settling into their summer patterns with great bass fishing early and late on top-water baits along break-lines adjacent to deep water. Carolina and drop shot rigs are also producing along many weed-lines and the old creek channel on the north end of the Mozingo Lake …

Anyone out fishing Sunday evening is in for an extra treat since the annual July 4th fireworks display is set for dusk …

Enjoy!

Image via Wikipedia

It’s official … Maryville’s Annual July 4th fireworks display is scheduled for Sunday evening July 4 starting at dusk …

Based on past year’s fireworks shows, this one is sure to be another outstanding display …

Add in the benefit of being able to see other private party displays around Nodaway County from Mozingo Lake Park and it will be a time for the whole family to enjoy …