Thread: Thermocline

Well, I'd be willing to bet its because of inflow. LOZ is full of springs, and that water temp is always gonna be 57*. Springwater is void of oxygen, but after mixing it does a lot of things. It creates its own "thermocline", changes surrounding water temps, turbidity, saturation, phlankton. Smithville is mainly river fed, slow moving surface water, oxygen rich, and "stable" I'd be willing to venture on DO content.

Like i said before i try not to overthink and just fish......i fished in 8' or less of 38 degree water that was frozen over 2 days ago today and had a great day.

Is it the same around docks??....he he

I have pondered the depth question alot, so, here are some thoughts.
I have been fishin Stockton since she filled and have seen some changes.....
Back 15 to 20 yrs ago, we could catch crappie on our 12 to 25 ft brush in the dam area all winter long. Then it started getting tough to do. Alot of us even quit trying when the water got cold. My son and I went 4 days straight one winter and didn't even get enough for 1 meal. When he said,"Dad, I never thought you could fish so hard and not catch a mess of crappie" that got me thinkin' and searchin'.....
I am now out 7 days a week most of the time.Here are some things I have found....

The lake turns normally about the 1st week of Nov. (lower lake)
It was Thanksgiving Day this year. The fish had moved deeper!
We had a sudden increase in the Loon population several days before this and that's when it happened! I could see as many as 20 loons at a time and 3 days later I couldn't catch or graph a crappie in less than 42 FOW.
Some guys on other lakes tell me they have alot of loons and I ask them if they also have 8 to 10 ft clarity also. Those birds can dive real deep! They rely on their ability to see their prey..........Could this be a factor?

I have been catching fish suspended around 20 ft, then have a pair of loons come and dive around the boat and the only bite I get for a while will be on the bottom,
around 40 to 50 ft. I caught some Wed. afternoon 69fow 3ft or less off bottom!

I do think the loons affect the crappie, but, they also won't stay long where there is little food. Where are the shad when you are fishin? Ask where's the food anytime you go........ I don't claim to have all the answers, just what works for me......GOOD FISHIN" and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Originally Posted by alwaysfishin

I have pondered the depth question alot, so, here are some thoughts.
I have been fishin Stockton since she filled and have seen some changes.....
Back 15 to 20 yrs ago, we could catch crappie on our 12 to 25 ft brush in the dam area all winter long. Then it started getting tough to do. Alot of us even quit trying when the water got cold. My son and I went 4 days straight one winter and didn't even get enough for 1 meal. When he said,"Dad, I never thought you could fish so hard and not catch a mess of crappie" that got me thinkin' and searchin'.....
I am now out 7 days a week most of the time.Here are some things I have found....

The lake turns normally about the 1st week of Nov. (lower lake)
It was Thanksgiving Day this year. The fish had moved deeper!
We had a sudden increase in the Loon population several days before this and that's when it happened! I could see as many as 20 loons at a time and 3 days later I couldn't catch or graph a crappie in less than 42 FOW.
Some guys on other lakes tell me they have alot of loons and I ask them if they also have 8 to 10 ft clarity also. Those birds can dive real deep! They rely on their ability to see their prey..........Could this be a factor?

I have been catching fish suspended around 20 ft, then have a pair of loons come and dive around the boat and the only bite I get for a while will be on the bottom,
around 40 to 50 ft. I caught some Wed. afternoon 69fow 3ft or less off bottom!

I do think the loons affect the crappie, but, they also won't stay long where there is little food. Where are the shad when you are fishin? Ask where's the food anytime you go........ I don't claim to have all the answers, just what works for me......GOOD FISHIN" and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Great point JR! I hate those things, is it legal to shoot them on sight? Had one circling my boat last time out and the fish left so I had to move. I have seen them eat more then one crappie over 10 inches.

Originally Posted by buzzmanmo

every lake is different as i always say if you want to catch fish go to truman, if you want a challenge go to stockton

Try fishing a lake you haven't fished before, thats a challenge!!

Makes sense Jr thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by longliner

Try fishing a lake you haven't fished before, thats a challenge!!

why i like stockton. you should try it sometime. hope you got lots of line