SPRING LAKE BREAKING NEWS

LAKE BREAKING NEWS

-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --

-- APRIL 25, 2011 --

2011 SPRING LAKE BREAKING NEWS

hat's new at the Lake of the Ozarks? Read all about what's coming up for the 2011 vacation season in this edition of the quarterly Lake Breaking NewsLETTER. For more information, color images or other assistance, please contact us toll-free at 800-544-8474 or email Marjorie, Jo, Gene or Kyle.

See The Lake From The Sky

Get a new perspective - see the Lake from the sky with a fun aerial tour.

If you've already seen the picturesque Lake of the Ozarks area on a boating or driving tour, complete the breathtaking tour trinity by taking in a bird's eye view from an airplane or a helicopter. Air Lake Aviation and Lake Ozark Helicopters offer an aerial feast for the eyes. Air Lake Aviation gives customers the option of a 30-minute "Scenic Tour" of the Lake for $50 per person. This scenic flight soars over Bagnell Dam to Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and covers every sight in between. The airplane tour company also charters Photo Flights at $169 per hour, plus tax. On these photo flights, Air Lake Aviation can also provide a professional photographer at an additional cost. If you're more the whirlybird type, Lake Ozark Helicopter tours range from $25-$199 per person. Lake Ozark Helicopters has several tours of the Dam area, a Lake of the Ozarks State Park Tour, a Ha Ha Tonka State Park Direct Flight and the Ultimate Tour (a flight all the way around the Lake). "It's the best way to Lake Ozark Helicopters, Inc. see the Lake," said Lake Ozark Helicopters' President Jerry Bice. "A lot of people don't realize how big the Lake is until they see it from the air. They go back home and try to describe it to their friends, but usually words just aren't good enough. We like to say, you've never seen the Lake like this before. But it's true, you've never seen the Lake like this before." To book a tour with Lake Ozark Helicopters, call 573-302-0022 or visit them on the web at www.LakeOzarkHelicopters.com. If you are interested in a tour with Air Lake Aviation, call 573-348-1088 or visit them on the internet at www.AirLakeAviation.com.

Go Fish! On The Lake (or get hooked on the Lake)

Sink your hooks into good fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The largemouth bass and crappie are really striking lures on the Lake of the Ozarks this time of year. "The bass are biting pretty well now on a variety of lures including spinnerbaits, jigs with a plastic crawfish trailer, crankbaits and Senkos," said John Neporadny, an accomplished local fisherman and the author of THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide. "The fish are in the coves along the banks which have a mixture of chunk rock and pea gravel. The crappie are spawning about two to five feet deep along pea gravel or chunk rock banks in the coves. Try 1/16- or 1/32-ounce jigs dressed with plastic tubes, curly tail plastic grubs, Roadrunners or minnows to catch them." Those words alone are enough to get a fisherman in the boat and out on the Lake. But before the first cast is made, fishermen 16 and older will have to make sure to buy a Missouri Fishing License. Residents of Missouri pay $7 for a daily permit or $12 for an annual permit. Non-residents of Missouri pay $7 for a daily permit or $42 for an annual permit.

There are three ways to obtain a fishing license at the Lake of the Ozarks:

1. Buy a license in person from any authorized vendor such as Walmart, sporting goods stores, bait shops or marinas.

2. Order your license by calling the Missouri Department of Conservation at (573) 522-4115.

3. Purchase and print out a license online through the Missouri Department of Conservation at www2.mo.wildlifelicense.com/start.php.

For more information on fishing regulations in Missouri, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation at MDC.MO.GOV or visit www.TakeMeFishing.org. John Neporadny, an accomplished fisherman and the author of THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide, can be found on the web at www.JNOutdoors.com.

Retail Therapy

Osage Beach Premium Outlets is home to 110 different shops, so you're sure to find something for nearly everyone.

Shopping is a pastime as natural as enjoying the wondrous sites and sounds in and around the Lake of the Ozarks. The area has a wide variety of shops, from the gigantic Osage Beach Premium Outlets - with 110 stores, it's the largest outlet mall in Missouri - to smaller specialty merchants and lodging property gift shops. The deals inside the stores might be fantastic but the shop-and-stay packages with local lodging properties could be the best bargain you find on your trip. Armed with a shopping directory and a sense of retail adventure, you can discover almost anything - antiques, collectables, housewares, sporting equipment, books, Mexican and European imports, pottery, plants, wine, liquor, outdoor supplies, boats and so much more. If you're planning to come to the area just to shop or if you need to book a shop-and-stay package with a local lodging property, please visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau online at www.FunLake.com for great lodging options, a shopping directory and discounts.

Cave Into Fun!

Exploring the mystic beauty of caves usually requires a slew of equipment and years of spelunking (cave exploring) experience, but visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can take in the majesty without all the trouble and expense. The area sports three different "show caves" - Bridal Cave, Jacob's Cave and Ozark Caverns - formerly wild caves that have been fashioned into attractions - complete with lights, walkways, bridges and handrails to accommodate even the most inexperienced wannabe spelunker. The cave has a nice even temperature of 50-60 degrees and allows viewers to enjoy the natural tapestry of these underground wonders in every season. A word of advice: regardless of the season, visitors to the caves might want to bring along a light jacket as cave temperatures can be quite cool to some.

Cycling Around the Lake

Don't trail the pack- the Lake has many opportunities for cyclists.

Discover the blast of rolling through the Lake of the Ozarks on two wheels and explore one of three fantastic cycling trails the area has to offer. The Honey Run Trail at Lake of the Ozarks State Park is the only bike-specific, state park designated trail in Missouri. It's a seven-mile trail that meets the high benchmarks set by the International Mountain Biking Association and is fun for both beginners and advanced cyclists alike. The Trail of the Four Winds at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park runs from three-and-a-half to sixteen miles and is a challenging trail for advanced cyclists. Expert roadsters on the Trail of the Four Winds will pedal through oak forests, journey along the banks of the Lake of the Ozarks, navigate along ridges and race down into valleys. The Four Seasons Paved Greenway, near the Village of the Four Seasons City Hall in Four Seasons, Mo., is a nine-mile, casual trail for riders of all ages and ability levels. For more information on these stunning and invigorating bike trails please visit www.FunLake.com or call (800) FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

On the Horizon

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! Both seasons are loaded with fairs, festivals and events at the Lake of the Ozarks! For more information about these and other upcoming activities at the Lake of the Ozarks, please contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at (800) FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit www.FunLake.com.

May 13 ... Hot Summer Nights
This cruising series on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark begins on May 13 and continues through the summer on June 10, July 8, August 12 and September 9. Hot Summer Nights will feature all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Visitors attending the event will enjoy contests, giveaways, helicopter rides, entertainment and much more. For more information about Hot Summer Nights, call 573-964-1008 or visit www.CruiseHotSummerNights.com.

June 10-12 ... Dog Days Canine Cannonball
Canine athletes hit the water to compete in Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve competitions in this Dock Dogs sanctioned event at Dog Days in Osage Beach. Admission to this fun canine event is free to the public. For more information, call (573) 348-9797 or visit Dock Dogs at www.DockDogs.com.

July 16 ... AquaPalooza
MarineMax and Sea Ray Boats invite the entire family to the Lake's largest family-fun boating event. Aquapalooza kicks off at Dog Days in Osage Beach and features live music, boats and plenty of great giveaways and prizes. For more information, call 573-365-5382 or visit the event online at www.Aquapalooza.com.

Aug. 5-6 ... 19th Annual Laurie Hillbilly BBQ Cook Off Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this popular event offers over $7,000 in prize money and bragging rights for the best BBQ around. A dance, beer garden, prizes, raffles and an ever-popular kids' BBQ contest are on the Cook-Off schedule. Take in some of the great aromas and taste some of the delicious BBQ at the Fairgrounds in Laurie, Mo. For more information on the Hillbilly BBQ Cook-off, contact Susann Huff at 573-374-8776 or visit the city of Laurie on the web at www.CityofLaurie.com or email at Events@CityofLaurie.com.

Aug. 6 ... 18th Annual Missouri Wine Festival
Local and regional wineries show off the bottled fruits of their labor to wine aficionados at the Country Club Hotel & Spa in Lake Ozark. Admission to the Wine Fest is $15 and includes a wine tasting from the participating wineries, hors d'oeuvres and a souvenir wine glass. Wines are available for purchase by the bottle or the case. For more information on the Missouri Wine Fest, call 573-964-1008 or the Country Club Hotel & Spa at 800-964-6698.

Aug. 22-28 ... 23rd Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
Named one of the nation's eight must-see boating events by Powerboat magazine, the Shoot-Out is the largest unsanctioned boat competition in the U.S., as more than 100 boats individually race to be named the Lake's fastest boat. This will be the fourth year Captain Ron's (a restaurant, bar and marina in Sunrise Beach) will host the event. For more information, call 573-374-5852 or visit www.LakeOfTheOzarksShootout.org.

For more information about these and other Lake-area springtime events or for more info about local accommodations and lodging facilities, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit www.FunLake.com.

# # #

Attention Media: Come See Us! At Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, we love to host journalists. Let us know when you'd like to come and we will customize an itinerary just for you and take care of all your on-site hospitality arrangements. Just email Marjorie Beenders or Jo Duncan, or call toll-free at 800-544-8474 and we'll get to work for you!