
Finding Fish Their Way
Fishermen are always angling for an edge. Some love tech, some lean on tradition, and others say it’s all about big baits. by Brent Frazee When Andy Newcomb launches his bass boat at Lake of the Ozarks, it looks like a floating computer lab, filled with the latest...
The Small Waters
Beauty and brilliance upstream: boaters are exploring the Lake above the 40MM by Deanna Wolff It’s no secret that there’s absolutely nothing better than spending the day cruising, coving, and catching fish, and converging at waterfront restaurant/bars on the Lake of...
The Lake’s Best Beer Tour
by Emily Debert The number of breweries in America is at an all-time high. In January of this year, beveragedynamics.com predicted the total number of American breweries to exceed 8,000 in the not-too-distant future. For Lake of the Ozarks residents and vacationers...
Bear Bottom Resort: Explosive Flavors & Family Fun
by Connye Griffin & LakeExpo.com On the water’s edge at the 38MM, tucked into a cove at the edge of one of the Lake’s most picturesque bluffs, sprawls a family oasis like no other. Bear Bottom Resort is renowned for a 700-foot waterslide, swim-up pool bar, live...
Paradise Found: Lake Of The Ozarks’ Tropical Restaurant Serves Caribbean Flair
by Deanna Wolff If you’re in the mood for delicious food, unique tropical drinks, and a breezy atmosphere with a spectacular Lake view, then the Paradise Tropical Restaurant and Bar on Lake of the Ozarks goes at the top of the short-list for lakefront dining this...
Shorty Pants! A Trip To The Bayou On Lake Of The Ozarks
Shorty Pants Lounge cooks up food and fun with a Cajun twist by Deborah Wolfe Tucked away in a gentle cove on Lake of the Ozarks’ 22MM, the Creole-influenced Shorty Pants restaurant has been a favorite among Lake locals and visitors for more than 15 years. The sound...
Franky And Louie’s: Key West Of The Midwest, At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Deborah Wolfe Palm trees and sandy beaches might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of the Lake of the Ozarks, but visitors to Franky and Louie’s Beachfront Bar and Grill at the 10-mile marker will find a tropical paradise lush with beachside...

Yo Ho Ho! Captain Ron’s Is The Perfect Port For Pirates Young & Old On Lake Of The Ozarks
by Emily Debert Whether ye be an old salt, sea dog, or a mere scallywag, Captain Ron's has something for every pirate at the Lake! Captain Ron's, owned by Ron Duggan, opened up in November 2006 and boasts 700 feet of Lakefront, two beaches, and a sand volleyball court...

Redhead Lakeside Grill: Where Captains Keep Their Crew Happy
by Mike Kircher I have been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain at Lake of the Ozarks for 5 years. In that short time, I have learned that boat charters at the Lake are about more than just driving a boat. I am navigator (nobody knows where they are), tour guide, and...

Dog Days All Summer Long, At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Sara Halverson Home of the cove-out music festival AquaPalooza, the White Party, and one of the coolest-looking pools and swim-up bars at the Lake, Dog Days Bar and Grill sits on the 19 MM just west of the Grand Glaize bridge. While it’s easily found by land and...

Jolly Rogers + The Kraken Shack: 2 Legendary Dining Experiences In 1 Lakefront Location
by Deanna Wolff When you work like a captain, you need to play like a pirate. Lake of the Ozarks boaters can “get their pirate on” at Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog and The Kraken Shack, Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar, in Rocky Mount – two terrific restaurants at one...

1932 Reserve: Chef-Inspired Lakefront Dining
Seasonal dishes, creative cocktails, and upscale-casual with a lake view. by Nathan Bechtold An evening on the Lake can be anything you want it to be, but when it comes to an elevated waterfront dining experience, there’s only one place: 1932 Reserve. Formerly a...

Summer Vacation For Fish
Lake of the Ozarks’ busy summer gives anglers a unique advantage for the rest of the year. by Brent Frazee It’s a mid-summer day, and Lake of the Ozarks has become one giant boat show. Cruisers throw off giant wakes, jet skiers cut across the choppy water, boats...

Boating Rules: A Crash Course For Avoiding A Crash
Driving a boat feels like freedom. But that doesn’t mean there are no rules; here are five tips boaters would do well to remember. by Nathan Bechtold & Al Griffin Appoint A Sober Captain It’s obvious. It’s so obvious, and the message gets beaten into our heads...

Ouch! The Most Common Boating Injuries (And How To Avoid Them)
Treating Lake visitor injuries for decades, the doctors at Lake Regional have seen a thing or two… by Anita Harrison/Lake Regional Health System When Lake of the Ozarks is busy, that means Lake Regional's Emergency Department is preparing for nonstop action. During...

1 Day, 2 Ways: Wake Lake / Paddle Lake
Whether you’re riding a wave or paddling a cove, these are the best spots. by Emily Debert & Nathan Bechtold WAKE LAKE Wake sports demand just the right spot: quiet water without heavy boating traffic, so the boat driver delivers a perfect wake and the...

Wakeboarding: The Ultimate How-To Guide For Newbies
Teaching hundreds of kids to wakeboard every year, Kirby’s School of Wake has a few tips on learning for the first time. by Sydney Liesmann It’s another weekend at the Lake with friends and family, and wakeboarding sounds like just the thing after several fun tubing...

Gaining An Edge On Props: FJ Propeller Midwest’s High-Tech Shop
Every good propeller starts with a pro by Deanna Wolff Racing boats is about precision, so keeping a performance boat in tip-top condition is essential. When it comes to propellers, even the slightest fault in a prop blade can mean a 10-15 percent decrease in...

Take The Wake
Handle choppy water like a pro. by Brent Simpson It’s the cavitation of fun on the most popular recreational Lake: The Wake. It inspires the adventurous boater and the ire of those yearning for calm waters of yesteryear at Lake of the Ozarks. The ‘Wake’ today is...

Pulled, Powered, Paddled: The Wake Of Watersports
A Brief History Of Watersports by Christy Wagner What is it that brings outdoorsmen and women alike back to the Lake of the Ozarks every weekend, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, rain or shine? What is it that draws these like-minded souls to commute for hours on end,...

Fat Polly’s at the Lodge at Port Arrowhead is Smokin’ Hot
article by Deanna Wolff Can shrimp be beautiful? They can if they’re prepared by Chef Scott and lovingly nestled on his perfectly-cooked Cajun Penne Pasta, alongside andouille sausage, grilled chicken, colorful bell peppers and onions in a zesty cream sauce. Served...

Fishing 12 Months A Year On The Lake
There’s no off-season for fishermen here. by Brent Frazee From January through December, something’s always biting on Lake of the Ozarks. The only reason not to wet a line is if there’s too much lightning, too much ice, or too much work! That’s what I’ve found in my...

Boating 12 Months A Year — 2020 On The Lake
If you find yourself wondering, “What are we doing at the Lake this weekend?”, it’s because you didn’t read this first. by Emily Debert The boating season at Lake of the Ozarks may not be year-round. But for Lake of the Ozarks boaters, there’s something to enjoy as...

Can Boat-Buyers Avoid Paying Sales Tax?
Boaters who’ve heard about no-sales-tax states, such as Delaware or Oregon, wonder if they could eliminate sales tax on a boat purchase if they simply buy a boat there. The answer is yes – but only if they use their boat in those states. Generally, boaters have to pay...

The Go-Fast Scene: Lake Of The Ozarks Is The Center Of Speed
All motion, Einstein tells us, is relative. A mach-speed fighter pilot outstrips the rat race on the highway far below. There white-knuckling drivers jockey for position, darting at speeds measured in single miles per hour. Everything, though, must seem...

Furry First Mates! 12 Tips For Bringing Your Pup Aboard
by Emily Smith“Dog people” are their own special breed of human. To us, dogs aren’t pets - they’re family - so it’s only natural that we want to take our furry children with us wherever we go, and that includes going on boat rides. Taking your dog out on...

Find The Best Wakeboard & Wakesurf Coves At Lake Of The Ozarks: Tips From A Pro
by Sydney Liesmann The Lake of the Ozarks is known for its fantastic scenery and recreational boating; however, it may not be the first place enthusiasts consider for recreational watersports. That is about to change. Kirby Liesmann, owner of Kirby’s...