Looking at the USGS website for Lake Murray this morning, the dissolved oxygen level at the bottom of the lake has dropped to .3 mpl. This is the lowest reading I’ve ever seen and far below the minimum requirement for ideal striper habitat. With several weeks to go before the stripers come up shallow again(at least based on past experience) things don’t appear to be looking good. I’m no expert on the topic. Can anyone else give me some good news about this situation? Is it not as bad as it appears?
Keep Deer Hunting!!!
I think someone from the club should contact DNR and get their read on the situation.
My understanding is the guage that takes the readings is on one of the towers and like 60’ deep. Anything less than 2.0 is fatal for stripers. Seems kinda odd with all the rain and cooler summer that the water quality would be as bad as it is. On Hartwell stripers are being caught in unusual places for this time of year. Guess that has to do with all the rain.
I called Ron Able and left him a message to call me back. I will post as soon as I talk with him.
The current surface temp. is about 80 degrees. The temperature tolerance range for adult striped bass is 43 - 81 degrees F, with a preferred range of 64 -77 degrees F. Adults have been found to tolerate temperatures as high as 84 F, but typically will not survive temperatures above 79 F. Thermal preference of striped bass is size-specific with juveniles exhibiting a much higher temperature tolerance (95 F) than adults. Large striped bass (> 16 inches) are more restricted to cooler waters than small striped bass at elevated temperatures and in stratified conditions.
The DO above the sensor is higher and the fish will be moving up closer to the thermocline, if not on into the surface layers with as cool as it is now at the surface…
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
I don’t know much about this stuff, but I have been following it closely this year and did stop by the USGS office in St Andrews last week to ask exactly where that “bottom” reading is coming from. It is set at 270’ above sea level, so about 88’ right now.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I have a marine science degree and 20 years of experience in environmental protection for three southeastern states, multi-media experience (air, land & water) so I’ve picked up a few things… I don’t know as much as Dr. Jim Bulak at DNR but I have his phone number…lol We haven’t fished together yet but it has been discussed…
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
Woodie, How do you feel about the next few weeks? Do you think we will see a die off? I know you understand the physics of the temperature swings.
Joby
tues pm stripers were schooling in area 30
phil steude
I think we’re fine…long range weather forecasts are predicting a few more hot days here and there but no sustained periods of high temperature…more cool days and rain are projected than hot days on into September.
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
I have seen a lot of floaters lately not as bad as I have seen it in the past but still a lot more than it should be.I wish that we had a few oxygen lines in the big pool but I know it won’t ever happen.even lk greenwood has them for those small stripers maybe it will get better
Lake Greenwood has an oxygenation system? I have never heard that before…Where is it located? can anyone provide a link to any information about it?
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
Its right by the dam, they have three lines.
Tommy
Talked with Ron Able today and he said looks like we are ok Ouote [we have dodged another bullet.]