May I ask an ignorant question?
How does the turnover affect the fishing? Just by looking at the graphs, I would guess that the fish are higher in the water column due to the DO. When the waters ‘flip’ does that indicate that the stripers should be going deep?
(OK - That is actually 3 questions including the first one!)
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
Short Answer … lake flip causes stress to fish … stressed fish don’t eat …
Worse Answer … lake flips catches fish in the middle of water that is too hot and too oxygen depleted to sustain the fish … fish caught in the middle usually die …
Just checked the USGS Stats for Lake Murray, difference between top and bottom is now 1 degree, the bottom oxyen level has started to spike upwards. Just hope this frontal passage doen’t come with wind, if it does it will turn over for sure.
I watched the river flow pretty close this summer looking for times it would be fishable from the kayak. Since I was also watching the lake “bottom” DO level closely I noticed a patern of seeing the “bottom” DO fluxuate for a short period of time when there was major change in water being discharged. I believe that is all that happened with that little spike the other day.
These pics show the bottom DO on the lake and an increase in water being discharged from the lake at exactly the same time.
Just checked the USGS Stats for Lake Murray, difference between top and bottom is now 1 degree, the bottom oxyen level has started to spike upwards. Just hope this frontal passage doen’t come with wind, if it does it will turn over for sure.
I watched the river flow pretty close this summer looking for times it would be fishable from the kayak. Since I was also watching the lake “bottom” DO level closely I noticed a patern of seeing the “bottom” DO fluxuate for a short period of time when there was major change in water being discharged. I believe that is all that happened with that little spike the other day.
These pics show the bottom DO on the lake and an increase in water being discharged from the lake at exactly the same time.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Soooooooo the discharge acts to aerate the water? … kinda like a bubbler at the bottom of the lake …
I’ve noticed in years past that the DO will jump for a few hours or a day or so and then drop again right around the time the final turnover happens. I assumed it was because there would be a pocket of more oxygenated water that made it’s way to where the sensor is and them moved away from the sensor. Maybe it had more to do with them running water.
Just checked the USGS Stats for Lake Murray, difference between top and bottom is now 1 degree, the bottom oxyen level has started to spike upwards. Just hope this frontal passage doen’t come with wind, if it does it will turn over for sure.
I watched the river flow pretty close this summer looking for times it would be fishable from the kayak. Since I was also watching the lake “bottom” DO level closely I noticed a patern of seeing the “bottom” DO fluxuate for a short period of time when there was major change in water being discharged. I believe that is all that happened with that little spike the other day.
These pics show the bottom DO on the lake and an increase in water being discharged from the lake at exactly the same time.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Soooooooo the discharge acts to aerate the water? … kinda like a bubbler at the bottom of the lake …
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Just happened to pick up on the pattern…didn’t say I could explain it!! LOL
Maybe when they pull water some of the top water gets pulled down which would cause the DO to come up…who knows. . I am sure there is some marine biologist that cant wait for this thread to pop up each year. They probably get a good laugh at us coming up with all the different ideas that we do…haahah…
I can picture them eating lunch in there lab coats saying…“man you have to read this stuff. This is like comedy central”
Maybe when they pull water some of the top water gets pulled down which would cause the DO to come up…who knows. . I am sure there is some marine biologist that cant wait for this thread to pop up each year. They probably get a good laugh at us coming up with all the different ideas that we do…haahah…
I can picture them eating lunch in there lab coats saying…“man you have to read this stuff. This is like comedy central”
I know that is typically happens in mid November, but the bottom temperatures on the USGS site are at 76*. So will the lake turn over once the surface temperature goes below 76*. If that is the case then we are only one cold spell away from turnover. I know that would be very unusual, but warm water rising and cold water sinking is what triggers the turnover. Maybe there is colder water below that will prevent an early turnover. Very odd seeing the O2 flat linned for the last 3 weeks.
I know that is typically happens in mid November, but the bottom temperatures on the USGS site are at 76*. So will the lake turn over once the surface temperature goes below 76*. If that is the case then we are only one cold spell away from turnover. I know that would be very unusual, but warm water rising and cold water sinking is what triggers the turnover. Maybe there is colder water below that will prevent an early turnover. Very odd seeing the O2 flat linned for the last 3 weeks.
Spoke too soon on speaking too soon. Back up again. This is the up and down I was talking about the other day. It’s should stick given our weather pattern for the next few days though near 90 degree highs later in the week might slow it down again.
No turnover yet. The fish and bait balls were right where I left them last Sunday. Yes. I caught some on spoons, though the action was a bit slower than last week. The 2 23 inchers were the only legit keepers come Tuesday. I was bumping bottom in 50 feet with the big Berry Spoons from 12:30 to 3:45 this afternoon.
