March is one of the most exciting months for fishing on Table Rock Lake. As water temperatures begin to rise, bass, crappie, and walleye move from deeper winter areas toward staging points and creek arms throughout the lake.

Anglers targeting bass will find pre-spawn fish staging along gravel points, channel swings, and rocky banks. Suspending jerkbaits, jigs, and swimbaits are some of the most effective lures during this period.

Crappie fishing also begins improving in March, especially in brush piles and standing timber located in creek arms. Fish are typically found between 10 and 25 feet deep early in the month before moving shallower as water temperatures increase.

Walleye anglers often experience strong action along rocky points and gravel banks, particularly near the James River and Kings River arms of the lake.

Some of the most productive areas during March include the James River arm, Long Creek arm, and main-lake points near Kimberling City and Cape Fair.

Whether you are fishing from a boat or staying at one of the many lakefront resorts around Table Rock Lake, March offers excellent opportunities for catching quality fish before the busy summer season begins.

Here’s what usually works best in March:

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🎣 Best Fish to Target in March

🐟 Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth & Spotted)

• One of the best months of the year

• Fish are in pre-spawn staging areas

• Look for them on points, channel swings, and bluff ends

Where

• Gravel points near creek mouths

• Channel bends leading into coves

• Bluff ends transitioning to flatter banks

Depth

• Early March: 30–60 ft

• Late March: 10–30 ft

Best baits

• Jigs

• Shaky heads

• Jerkbaits

• Swimbaits

Slow presentations near cover work best when water is cold.

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🐟 Crappie

• Action starts picking up toward mid-late March

Where

• Brush piles

• Standing timber

• Creek arms

Depth

• 10–25 ft early

• Moving shallower (5–15 ft) as water warms

Best baits

• Small jigs (white or chartreuse)

• Minnows

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🐟 Walleye

• Often underrated on Table Rock

• Active in March prespawn

Where

• Rocky points

• Gravel banks

• Near river arms

Best baits

• Jerkbaits

• Swimbaits

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📍 Good Areas of Table Rock Lake in March

These areas warm slightly faster and attract baitfish.

• James River Arm – great for crappie and white bass

• Long Creek Arm – strong smallmouth fishing

• Kings River Arm – good prespawn bass areas

• Main lake gravel points around Kimberling City & Campbell Point

The James River arm is especially productive because of its mix of flats, channels, and timber that attract multiple species.

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⚡ Simple March Strategy (local guides use this)

1. Start on main-lake points early morning.

2. Move into creek arms as the day warms.

3. Fish slow and deeper early in the month.

4. As temps hit 50–55°F, fish begin moving shallower toward spawning areas.