Thread: Thermocline on Jordan

Thanks for the pictures and information, one of the better post I've stumbled across on the web.

You're welcome. I'm still learning how to use it to help fish in the summer. I'm usually a Sept.-May guy because of the heat, but have enjoyed some fishing this summer during the morning and early afternoon. During the winter, the cold water pushes the shad with the crappie following into the deepest parts of the lake. It stands to reason that the thermocline pushes the shad and crappie into water that is mostly 12' or shallower. Still trying to figure it out and find a way to consistently pattern warm-water crappie.

Originally Posted by JordanLimit

You're welcome. I'm still learning how to use it to help fish in the summer. I'm usually a Sept.-May guy because of the heat, but have enjoyed some fishing this summer during the morning and early afternoon. During the winter, the cold water pushes the shad with the crappie following into the deepest parts of the lake. It stands to reason that the thermocline pushes the shad and crappie into water that is mostly 12' or shallower. Still trying to figure it out and find a way to consistently pattern warm-water crappie.

Factor in the Solar Bees! Thermocline has been at 12ft from 2007 until 2014. Lsst week the thermocline was at 22 ft?

Monk

I've always been under the impression that the colder water would be more oxygenated. I didn't realize in the summer below the thermocline becomes a "dead zone". Like you, I mainly fish the spring and fall because I don't like the heat of the day, nor do I like dealing with jet skis and ski boats all day. I'm planning on going to Jordan, or Harris Friday afternoon/night. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the thermocline now.

Originally Posted by kilacam

I've always been under the impression that the colder water would be more oxygenated. I didn't realize in the summer below the thermocline becomes a "dead zone".

Colder water has the potential to hold more oxygen. More oxygen will remain dissolved in cold water vs. warm water. However, when water becomes stratified in summer, the cold water down deep sees very little to no sunlight which is the driving factor behind oxygen generation. This becomes cold, dark, uncirculated, hypoxic conditions.

I'm not that familiar with the Solar bees, but circulation is usually a good thing. It mixes the water, eliminating these hypoxic layers, and keeps fish from getting "trapped" in between dead zones. It also prevents turnover related kills, and opens up more of the water volume as suitable habitat for fish as well as circulating nutrients.

I may be an idiot but What are these solar bees that are mentioned all the time

I had no clue myself but found this last night.

NCDENR - Jordan Lake Circulator Demo

If you go up the Haw River arm on Jordan or way up in Morgan Creek (up past Farrington Bridge) you will see the Solar Bees out doing their thing. They are supposed to mix up the water so there are no algae blooms on the lake. Personally, I don't think they could mix up the water in my bath tub. I think the wind stirs up the water much more than those things ever could do. Not sure why Monk saw the thermocline so deep in the S-Curves. Haven't been on Jordan lately and would like to see what is happening down that way.

Originally Posted by JordanLimit

If you go up the Haw River arm on Jordan or way up in Morgan Creek (up past Farrington Bridge) you will see the Solar Bees out doing their thing. They are supposed to mix up the water so there are no algae blooms on the lake. Personally, I don't think they could mix up the water in my bath tub. I think the wind stirs up the water much more than those things ever could do. Not sure why Monk saw the thermocline so deep in the S-Curves. Haven't been on Jordan lately and would like to see what is happening down that way.

Get out there and check it out!

Found thermocline under the Farrington Bridge today at 15 ft. Caught fish under the shadow of the bridge!

Monk

I am 74 years old and have been around lakes in the South all my life and have never seen or heard of an algae bloom on a lake. Ponds-yes! I believe the stiring of the water by the
Solar Bees is exposing water to "heat" that without stirring would remain on the bottom and stay cooler. The Solar Bees are placed in relatively shallow areas in the upper part of the lake flow.

Yesterday, I noticed the depth finder on the transom read 88 degrees while the one on the front read 82 degrees. The transducer on the front is 2 ft deeper than the one on the back.
Both units read the same early in the day before the sun got so hot.

Monk