January Fishing Heating Up!
January on Taneycomo is winter fishing in its purest form. Short days, cold fingers, and trout that behave exactly the way they’re supposed to. The holiday crowds are gone, deer season pressure is a memory, and what’s left are quiet mornings and fish that slide back into dependable winter lanes.
If you don’t mind layering up and slowing down, January can be one of the most consistent months of the year. The trout aren’t moving far, they’re feeding on small stuff, and they’ll tell you pretty quickly whether your drift is right or wrong. Mostly wrong at first. That’s normal.
Water Conditions
January generation has followed a familiar winter pattern: long stretches of low water broken up by short, predictable generation windows.
That kind of schedule sets up classic winter tailwater fishing — stable flows, clean seams, and trout holding where they should.
Table Rock Lake Dam has had extended low generation punctuated by brief releases, which has kept things very fishable throughout the system .
Water temperatures remain cold but steady, which is exactly what you want this time of year. Midge activity stays consistent, and the trout feed in short, regular windows rather than random bursts. Pay attention to flow changes — even small increases can flip a switch.
Fly Fishing & Wading — Below Table Rock Dam
The upper lake continues to be the most reliable stretch in January, especially for fly anglers willing to wade carefully and fish small.
Midge rigs under indicators have been the bread and butter during low generation. Zebra midges, thread midges, scuds, sowbugs, San Juan worms, and egg patterns have all been producing. Sizes #18–20 are still the norm, with occasional success going slightly larger if the water clouds up.
Indicator depths:
- 6–9 feet in main current lanes
- 4–5 feet when fish are suspended
When generation comes on, heavier nymph rigs get the nod. Add weight, shorten the drift, and keep the flies near the bottom. Soft hackles fished on the swing have also been effective during low light or cloudy days.
Streamer fishing deserves a mention this month. Articulated patterns fished early, late, or during generation have produced some very good brown trout — fish pushing past twenty inches. It’s not fast action, but when it happens, it happens all at once.
Boat Fishing — Fall Creek to Table Rock Dam
Fly Fishing from the Boat:
Drifting the upper lake during moderate generation has been very productive. Double midge rigs, midge/scud combinations, and egg patterns with split shot are working well. Longer leaders (9–12 feet) help keep flies in the zone, especially when flows fluctuate.
Spin Fishing:
Float rigs remain extremely effective. Micro jigs, worms, midges, and scuds under a float on light fluorocarbon continue to catch plenty of fish. Jerkbaits have been excellent for larger rainbows and browns during generation. Natural shad, ghost, pro blue, and rainbow patterns fished with long pauses are the ticket. If you think you’re pausing too long, pause longer.
Lower Lake — Fall Creek to Branson Landing
Below Fall Creek, trout spread out more, but the fishing remains steady and approachable — especially for families and anglers looking for simpler presentations.
Fly anglers are doing well on midges and soft hackles along current seams and drop-offs, particularly early in the day before traffic increases.
Spin and bait fishing has been strong. PowerBait in chartreuse, pink, orange, and white continues to catch fish, along with nightcrawlers and corn. Drifting nightcrawlers from a boat with just enough weight to tick bottom has been a consistent producer.
Fishing from the Docks
Dock fishing has stayed solid through January, especially during low water and low light. Trout cruise steadily when things are quiet.
Effective setups include:
- Micro jigs under small floats on 2 lb test
- PowerBait in white, chartreuse, or pink
- Nightcrawlers, wax worms, or mealworms under a bobber
Watch for subtle surface movement early and late. When trout push bait shallow, small spinners and spoons can be a nice change of pace.
Overall Outlook
January fishing on Taneycomo has been exactly what winter anglers hope for — steady, predictable, and quietly productive. Cold, stable water and manageable generation schedules have kept trout feeding regularly and holding in classic winter lies.
If you enjoy technical drifts, light takes, and days where the loudest sound is your boots in the gravel, January fits just fine. The trout are there. They’re just not impressed by sloppy fishing.
Let’s Go Fishing!
If you’d like to get out on the water, book a trip with me. I’ve been guiding on Lake Taneycomo for over 27 years, and I’d love to put you on fish while sharing the techniques that consistently produce in any condition.
If I’m booked, call 417-460-5727 and one of my trusted guides will take great care of you.