how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

[PowerAddict]

I'm considering going to the lake the second weekend in October...is anyone there then? I don't know much about the furhter mile markers, furthest I've ever gone is the Grand Glaize Arm. Can someone fill me in on some more details?

Is the water warm enough to get in still (should be with the heat we've had)

Thanks

 

[eastont]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

Expand on LOTO

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

Lake of the Ozarks...sorry!

 

[emilsr]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

That's the BEST time of the year on LOTO. Crowds are gone, weather has cooled off a bit, but most of the on water bars and restaurants are still open. Fall harbor hop is one of the best runs of the year. More than likely it will still be plenty warm to swim.

We've been living here full time for the past 2 years; if you'll let me know what your specific questions are I'll try to answer them.

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

great, thanks for the response!

Can you give me more information and details? Are there still people there at all? Whats the main channel like? (could a smaller boat actually get around)? What about compared to the further mile markers?

Thanks!

 

[emilsr]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

There are about 60,000 full time residents in the lake area. While it's true most of the on-water establishments close from mid-Oct to mid-Mar, everything on land is open. There are people here in the off season, just not the 300,000 that you see on summer holiday weekends.

Yes, this lake can get rough, particularly from the 6mm to the 31mm in the main channel and the grand glaize arm from the 0mm to the 4mm (party cove). That said, it's only rough from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Friday and Saturday afternoons and Sunday 'till about 3pm. Any other time you can get around no problem....in fact most of the time it's smooth water. It's only rough because of the big boats, and when they're gone you can run a jon boat down the main channel.

The higher up the numbers you go the lake takes on a different feel. It's more rural, cheaper to eat/drink....even hillbilly in some areas. This is way different than the Lake Ozark and Osage Beach areas with all the golf courses, shopping malls and nice restaurants. When you get far enough to be in the river portion of the lake (80mm and up) you rarely see anything more than a 20' boat.

That time of year you might as well stay on the "Saint Louis side" of the lake (lower numbers) so you'll have more to see and do, both on and off the water. You won't have any problem getting around, even on the weekend. Fall is our FAVORITE time on this lake, unfortunately we're moving soon and won't get to enjoy it this year.

Hope this helps. Feel free to post any questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer them.

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

This is great info!

So, you think that the lower numbers, (or Big end, or st. louis side) will be navigable just fine? I don't want to take any chances, a few big boats I'm sure I can get by with, but 6' chop coming in from all sides (like how it is in summer) would probably swamp my jet boat.

Are gas stops on the lake still open by then?

Do you have any suggestions or places I should look in to going, and see if they're open?

I guess I got to ask if anyone hangs out in party cove that time of year

Thanks again!

 

[emilsr]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

They haven't announced the date of the fall harbor hop (that I know of), but it's usually the second Saturday in October and everything is still open. Last year the weather was gorgeous, and there was a pretty big turnout that made it choppy on Saturday afternoon. Nothing like memorial/4th of July/labor day weekend, but more like a "typical" summer weekend. Between the 6 and the 24 it was a little rough, but outside of that area it was fine.

We live inside the 1mm so that's the area I know best. Had a family reunion this summer; everyone stayed at Big Bear Resort and loved it but there are LOTS of options. Will depend on what you want to do, which area of the lake you want to see and of course your budget.

Big Bear is at the 2. In that area our favorite spots are Docknockers on the south shore at the 3 1/2, and Schmidty's on the north shore at the 3 1/2. Further up you've got H. Toad's, Shady Gator's and Lazy Gator's at the 7, Franky and Louie's at the 10, up the Gravois arm you've got Jolly Roger's and Coconuts.....and those are just the places we like. There are others. Bottom line is there are a TON of places to go that'll be open in early October.

Post this question on midwestboatparty.com....that's the local LOTO website. Great people, you'll get lots of ideas there and most likely will end up meeting some of those folks while you're here. You may even find a good deal on a condo someone is wanting to rent for the weekend. I'm sure Butt Cheese, Joey and some of the other party cove regulars will be out there. LOL

 

[emilsr]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

To answer your original question; was a little windy but still a nice day for boating:

http://www.youtube.com/user/20goodtimes08#p/u/11/ZHatCuSN63M

 

[DaNinja]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

I love the lake after Labor Day. Last year it was fairly easy to run WOT from our place on the BN all the way to the Grand Glaize. I couldn't even do that during the week in the summer. The scenery can be quite colorful in October as well, though last year wasn't a great autumn color year by us.

 

[75 thunderboy]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

It the 1st of Nov and should be 75 today I'm over on the 4 mile marker close to the dam and it looks good to me

 

[emilsr]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

Nice there, huh? We sure do miss it. The weather is even nicer out here in El Paso, but it's nothing like Lake of the Ozarks.

 

[donaldpeter58]

Re: how late in the year do you boat on LOTO?

That's the BEST time of the year on LOTO. Crowds are gone, weather has cooled off a bit, but most of the on water bars and restaurants are still open. Fall harbor hop is one of the best runs of the year.