Check out this link. It shows water temp, levels and O2 readings for the top and bottom of the lake. I think the “bottom” reading is taken at about 80’ deep. The reason there is less O2 down there is that the water does not mix with surface water in the summer due to the temperature difference and the fact that our lake “stratifies”. This is where the thermocline comes from. Once it sets in, the water below it in Lake Murray is stuck with whatever O2 it has in it. As the summer presses on, more and more of this O2 is depleted from the cooler water by fish and decomposition. Until the temps equal out again and the lake “turns over” there will be no additional O2 content added to that water. This is why they installed an O2 system on Clarks Hill to artificially add O2 all summer.
Stripers need food, oxygen and temperate water to survive. This is why they seek refuge down deep in the summer. They can get all three. If the O2 runs out down there before the surface temps lower enough to make them comfortable, they will be stressed by staying either deep(no O2) or going shallow(too hot). That’s when we have the potential for a big fish fish kill.
I was talking to a guy at the SCGS office, which I didn’t realize is right down the Rd from where I work in St Andrews. He confirmed that the botom reading is taken about at about 80’.
To be exact, the sensor is always at 270’ above sea level. So with todays water level of 357, it would be measuring 87’ down.
I’m ready, nothing more fun than a top water striper from a kayak. Have my kayak rigged for some top water trolling and the jerk action of paddling a kayak seemed to turn them on last year. Mainly work the area around Susie and hope for a return of the stripers like last year.
I know what I observed and will not comment any further on reports of how the study was conducted. I do agree that summer mortality does occur and that the resulting law is a good for our fishery.
Not saying I will refrain from releasing any fish during the summer. However, I will not say whether I did or did not in a fishing report on a message board again. Certainly, my intent was not to have a 3 page uproar over a simple fishing report.
If they can hold on through this cool front I think they will be back on top of the thermocline by first of September.
I am working on getting some kayaks rigged up so I can take advantage of paddling through some schools busting.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Early last fall they were schooling right off the rocks near the parking lot and once in a while get close enough I would catch a fish or 2 casting off the bank. Many times they were just out of casting range so a kayak would be perfect. I may have to drop mine in too if they show up there again.
I pull in alot on my way to and from work. Will let you know when/if they show up over there.
Steve, where you put in when you fish around Suzie E? You paddle all the way from back where the new tour boat stays?
Not saying I will refrain from releasing any fish during the summer. However, I will not say whether I did or did not in a fishing report on a message board again. Certainly, my intent was not to have a 3 page uproar over a simple fishing report.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Lake Murray Striped Bass Jun 1- Sept 30: any length
Unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than 5
Am I missing something? Why is release even being discussed?
“There is something about hunting those fish that will stick with me and my future fishing plans like a bad case of striper herpes”
-SCOF
You can release them, but it will still count towards your 5 and done. I know when I catch a short (under 18), I have them in the boat and back in the water in 10 seconds, way less than 90 seconds. But if they were pulled from the deep they probably would die. Last night I got one in 40’ of water up in the top 15’. I popped the hook out and got him right in, he shot down swimming just fine. If I would have got him off the bottom I would have kept him. Fished up past bomb and never had a single bait die at any depth, surface temp was 81 to 82 degrees.
I’ve got another dumb Spoonmaster question. I’m not trying to stir the pot on the above discussion, just curious!!
Did the DNR study say how long the stripers surveyed survived before dieing? If so, was it minutes, hours or days? Most of the guys I fish with can have a lip hooked fish unhooked in seconds with or without taking it out of the water. I understand this may not be possible in a large boat, but I do believe that the length of time out of the water would increase the mortality rate, especially in the summer heat.
I regularly bring up white perch in the winter, very quickly, from as deep as 45’ to 85’ that will float immediately upon release. If this happens they get dipped and added to the fish fry, regardless of size.
The stripers I’ve caught from similar depths in the winter have never appeared to be that stressed. That’s the reason for my question, as I have normally been releasing them in the past. Is the general thinking that these deeper stripers die later after I release them?
