Can I get a report on the water conditions at Murray. In particular from dreher island up lake. What stage of turnover is the lake in and water temp. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Can I get a report on the water conditions at Murray. In particular from dreher island up lake. What stage of turnover is the lake in and water temp. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Fished Clouds Creek Friday. Water temp was 62 degrees. Color is good, don't know about stage of turnover. Not sure it has been cold enough yet.
Turnover has been weird so far... On 11/1 it appeared it flipped as DO jumped up to 7 but 11/4 it was back down to 1.8 so I don't think it has happened yet, but not sure if there will be a traditional turnover this year. It has caused the fish to scatter and head up the creeks and rivers.
Can you guys elaborate on how the turnover affects the fish? I know it changes the thermocline so the fish move to where the oxygen level is best, but how do you know it has happened and where the fish move to? I have read that you can see the thermocline on your DF but I can't say I ever have and wouldn't know what to do it I did. When you fish in shallow (less that 20ft) water I am not sure how much it affects the fishing.
Someone else may know better but from what I understand. The lake turnover happens when the water thruout the entire water column becomes close to or the same temp. I do know that the water gets ugly and lots of the dead plant material from the bottom begins to float. Somebody else should know more. I just know that until the water settles back out that the fishing gets hard.
Here is a link to the USGS Lake Murray link. You can look through the info and the water temp / dissolved oxygen levels top to bottom coming closer together will give you an indication when the lake turnover occurs. I think it has turned over.
USGS Current Conditions for USGS 02168500 LAKE MURRAY NEAR COLUMBIA, SC
I haven't been on the water very much recently to witness a turnover, but I know fishing has been tough. I would say the turnover may have already happened...or atleast the turnover we'll experience this year. A week ago I was up the Little River and water color was good (slightly dingy from the snow and rain the day before) and water temps were 58. I'd imagine the snow and cold rain probably made the water temp plummet so it may be a little higher now.
There are parts of Clark Hill that is bubbling like there's lit gas under it and while this is going on black leaves and debri from the bottom is already floating. I think these areas are turning over now. It'll take a couple weeks for everything to settle down and afterwards I believe you'll catch fish in those areas until springtime changes things. The baitfish is already scattered in these areas with some HUGH baitballs already but the bait will only bunch up more as the water cools. Other areas of the same depth have either already turned or hasnt started yet (the whole lake doesnt turn at the same time ya know) but I havent spent the time on the lake to know which has and hasnt yet. I've only fished one general area a couple times in the past few weeks. When the water drops into the lower 50's I'd guess that the whole lake will have turned in the shallower parts of the creeks. (less than 20' deep)
Good to hear from you Butch. I had not seen your posts lately so I figured you were either hunting or working. Hope you get back after them shortly, so the rest of us will know what to do.