Thread: Thermocline

Nice article, I always knew the lower part of Stockton never has a thermocline but never knew why. Now I know they open the dam which creates current thus no thermocline. Thanks

Whitey is probably not a scientist, or he wouldn't generalize all lakes in the united states as 12-16ft for the thermocline. Here is an actual Study done on the New York state lakes Ourlake: Home Page . Notice the links to the studies on the bottom of the page. I'll post a couple of the pics. There's plenty of actual scientific data out there on this topic. I think that people would be mislead by taking what Mr. Outlaw says to heart.

You'll notice that the thermocline was only at 12-16FT for a very short period of time. I figure this study is valid even though it's from NY, because Whitey did not specify a state, or lake in his discussion, so I'll assume that he means all US lakes. Isn't that how you took it?

(you'll just have to click the links for the years they studied the thermocline depth, meters on the left, feet on the right.) Thanks

Originally Posted by longliner

Crappie Masters - Members Articles

Good reading!!

what is the deal, it seems like your do not believe, polebender,jtl,buzzy,gator,Lead Head,and I are catching fish 30 to 40 feet deep and on the bottom because of some oxygen line that is suppose to be at 12 to 16 feet. well young feller we are and so are a lot of others I dont eaven know there names. give it a rest. science is not always correct, I have no reason to lie about catching fish deep, it would serve me no purpose, and it would help no one if I lied about how deep I am catching fish, I think if you practiced newtons law.

III. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law is exemplified by what happens if we step off a boat onto the bank of a lake: as we move in the direction of the shore, the boat tends to move in the opposite direction (leaving us facedown in the water, if we aren't careful!).

Originally Posted by longliner

Crappie Masters - Members Articles

Good reading!!

good article, gives a simple answer to the question and he did say "most" of the time

Originally Posted by beagle man

what is the deal, it seems like your do not believe, polebender,jtl,buzzy,gator,Lead Head,and I are catching fish 30 to 40 feet deep and on the bottom because of some oxygen line that is suppose to be at 12 to 16 feet. well young feller we are and so are a lot of others I dont eaven know there names. give it a rest. science is not always correct, I have no reason to lie about catching fish deep, it would serve me no purpose, and it would help no one if I lied about how deep I am catching fish, I think if you practiced newtons law.

III. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law is exemplified by what happens if we step off a boat onto the bank of a lake: as we move in the direction of the shore, the boat tends to move in the opposite direction (leaving us facedown in the water, if we aren't careful!).

I believe ya. We once caught fish 48ft deep on Lake Talquin in Jan in a Tournament. It does'nt say but I belive Whitey was relating to summertime fishing. I will talk to him today and ask him.

Technically its freshwater, so the correct term would be chemocline. The water will stratify because of specific gravity of different compounds within the water column. If a lakes discharge water has a rotten egg smell, then a chemocline is present. There are factors which will allow fish to exploit the regions below a chemocline, the biggest being DO or disolved oxygen. Hydrogen Sulphide and tannic acid are next. For us in the midwest, most lakes won't have a chemocline in the winter, its all temp dependent. You bet they're popping crappie in 40' of water, doesn't mean they will live if released. Water is its heaviest at 38.6* this is a phenomenon that allows for turn-overs, especially in the spring. Water is its lightest at 32*, it floats then cause its ice. Most lakes in the US are holomictic, approx 20% of the time they can be polymictic for us midwesterners. Its a very long, complicated story but this is a start.

Great post!!!! Thank you crappie doc

Great information which helps explain how fish can be caught in different depths at different times of the year.