Mozingo Lake

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Can you believe it … we are about to pass through the sixth month of the year and head into July.

As mentioned in earlier posts, fish and wildlife activity is believed to be influenced by Sun-Moon-Earth interactions. One way to explore that relationship is by using the Astro Table prepared by primetimes2.com and help pick out those optimal periods of fish activity.

Here is the Astro Table for July 2010 to help pick the best Mozingo Lake fishing times …

Remember to click on the image for a larger copy that is easier to read!

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Image via Wikipedia

Even though the air temperatures have been heating up, it seems Mozingo Lake fishing as slowed down a bit …

Over the last two week’s, a number of storm systems have rolled through northwest Missouri leaving their imprint of Mozingo. The introduction of additional water into the watershed is helping keep water levels high even if on the dingy side and water temperatures in the mid to upper 70s (though another heat wave is bound to start raising water temps).

According to the steady stream of anglers visiting Mozingo, walleye, bass, crappie and bluegills are doing ok though the increase in shallow weed growth can complicate fishing along the shoreline … Best bet … move offshore if possible!

As is typical this time of year, fishing for channel cats is good at Mozingo and cut baits seem to be the ticket …

Yes it is definitely that time of year again and it actually seems pretty amazing. We are not sure where the month of June ran off too but it seems to have flown by and we barely noticed!

So it all boils down to the fact that the Fourth of July is right around the corner (8 days away to be exact) and the annual celebrations will be in full force out at Mozingo Lake.

We’ve already posted a note on the Maryville Optimists Club’s Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday July 3rd and you know Mozingo will be pack full of people for the weekend’s festivities …

One of our favorite events provided by the City is the annual fireworks show (which the rumor is they spent $10K on this year) and given the number of folks flocking to the park, it not just ours!

“Photos courtesy Photos8.com“

The next event on the 2010 Tightlines-N2IT Fishing Bass Tournament series is set for this coming Sunday, June 27th.

Hours for this Mozingo bass tournament event are slated for 5: 30 AM through 1:30 PM with the Main Ramp area again serving as the tournment launch and weigh-in area ..

For more information, visit the N2IT Fishing website by clicking on the linked image below:

Image via Wikipedia

This summer, the Nodaway County Extension office is conducting a 4-H youth camp at Mozingo Lake from August 3rd through August 6th.

The camp will be divided into three different age groups (defined by the 4-H Program) of ages 5-9; 10-12 and 13 or older.

The 5-9 age group’s camp is slated for Thursday, August 5th as a day camp only with check-in hour from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM and check out from 5:00 to 7:00 PM the same day.

Youths aged 10-12 run from Tuesday the 3rd until Thursday  the 5th and the older aged 4-H camp runs of the 5th through the 6th.

Registration information can be obtained from the Maryville Extension office in the Nodaway County Administration Building (Room 308) or by calling (660) 582-8101.

Access to the digital version of the letter forwarded by the extension office can be obtained by clicking on the link below:

2010 Nodaway 4-H Youth Camp Info

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Now that both the calendar and temperatures tell us summertime is officially here some bass fishing techniques will definitely fare better than others out on Mozingo Lake. It almost seems amazing when you stop and consider just a few weeks ago we were in the midst of a fairly cool and wet spring but just look at how quickly things change.

Though some bass always remain close to shore, many of Mozingo’s bass have started to drift off to deeper creek edges and points. Bear in mind that even the deeper fish will move shallower during the evening, night and early morning periods before drifting back in deeper water during the heat of the day …

A few tips to to help enhance your Mozingo Lake bass fishing efforts this summer:

• While the water temps are still in the upper 70s to low 80s, some of the more productive cover is standing timber and lay-downs situated in 8 to 14 feet of water;
• Fishing along weeds and timber adjacent to the Mozingo Creek channel in the northern section of the lake can be productive;
• Various topwater lures, especially frog imitations fished in and around shallower cover during early morning or late evening hours can produce excellent quality fish;
• Always keep a “follow-up” bait handy to quickly throw at when shallow fish miss your topwater offering; &
• Key on large profile plastic baits (like 10″ Powerworms), jig and pig, as well as Texas-rigged creature baits when fishing deeper structure and cover during the mid-day period …

Another wet, late spring week has passed leaving its mark on Mozingo Lake and influencing this week’s fishing report …

With all the rain during the last week, Mozingo’s water level remains fairly high, muddy and average water temperature is rising into the upper 70s. Add in the upcoming mini heat wave for the next week and water temps should be even higher next week …

Despite the muddy waters, bass fishing has been rumored as good as the fish get further settled into their regular summer patterns. Walleyes and channel cats fishing has also been good with crankbaits being the preferred fare for walleye and cut-bait for the catfish.

One the other hand, crappie and bluegill fishing has slowed as one (crappie) drifts to deeper summer locations and bluegill recoup from their spawn …

Kids … Get your fishing rods ready!

Seems that the Maryville Optimist Club is throwing a kids fishing contest (I guess that leaves us out ) on Saturday, July 3 at the Mozingo Lake city ramp …

Registration for your special day starts at 8:30 AM and the contest runs from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM. There are two age divisions for young anglers aged 1-9 or 10-15 …

It’s rumored that prizes, water, pictures and ice cream will be provided too!

Though everyone needs to bring their own fishing gear (rods, reel and tackle), bait worms will be provided …

Oh … one other thing … remember your sunscreen and hat!

Also remember to thank your kind sponsors including the Optimist Club, Big Bird’s Bait and Bows along with the folks at Little Bit’s Country Store!

Image via Wikipedia

This week’s fishing report for Mozingo Lake finds the lake’s inhabitants transitioning into their summer patterns …

With water temperatures hovering in the mid-70s and water levels somewhat higher and dirtier due to recent rains, fishing is still good for most species …

Bass are especially active mornings and evenings on topwater baits with anglers focusing on deeper weed-lines and structures during the daylight hours …

Walleye fishing is only fair with fish being scattered on main lake points and around the dam area …

Crappie and bluegill fishing is good to great with worms and small jigs leading the way to success …

And channel cats can be had with a well-baited hook using cut-bait.

The most recent of the Tightlines-N2IT 2010 Mozingo Lake bass tournament , the Hawg Hunters Challenge, was held this past Sunday, June 6th.

Twenty-five teams hit the water shortly after dawn and fished until the start of the weigh-in around 2:00 PM. All 25 contestant teams weighed at least two bass while 18 of the 25 brought a five-bass limit to the scale …

Winning weight for the event came in at 22.48 lbs anchored with a nice 5.75 lb bucketmouth … Though the 5 lber was definitely a nice fish, the big bass honor for the Hawg Hunters Challenge was weighed by the 5th place team @ 7.02 lbs. A very nice bass indeed and one that accounted for over 43% of their 16.18 lb bag …

All in all, it seems it as a great day for all with great weather and temperatures in the 70s …

The next Tightlines-N2IT bass tournament at Mozingo Lake is the “Summer Break” event scheduled for the last Sunday of the month, June 27th …