Dirty/Muddy water question

Can someone explain why water that is normally of decent clarity, heavily stained and muddy this time of year? Current water temperatures are around 39-42 degrees F.

I think the obvious answer is post rain runoff...But what about right now, when there really hasn't been heavy rains locally and the December flood waters have receded?

I would think that heavy winds are largely responsible.

Perhaps the upper layer of cold muddy water left from the flooding does not mix well with deeper warmer clearer water?

I'm seeing a few bodies of water that are like chocolate milk in some areas and normal in other areas. Just curious on the biology of this phenomenon.:popcorn

Well for one thing freezing and thawing loosens the soil and the ground lacks vegetation which helps hold the soil and also reduces the impact of rain drops as does the tree leaves. Causing more runoff. The cold water is denser and holds matter in suspension more than warmer water. There are probably a couple more factors. Also underwater springs will be bubbling up enough to disturb the bottom sometimes, and water seeps on the bank can continue to cause runoff for several days after it rains.

Don't let it hold you back...fish can be caught. It use to discourage the heck out of me but now I just adapt. The murkier water warms faster when the sun shines than clear water. When the shallow water starts warming from the sun and some wind blows across it plankton will get concentrated,the baitfish will move in and some fish will follow. Try some of the brightest clown color chartreuse jigs in these conditions they can see them pretty good. A dark color with a bright chartreuse tail adds contrast and works good. Also Pink and a dark color too. Sometimes they like a moving lure and sometimes slow under a cork will work,sometimes both in the same place. If its closer to bedding time and you have a lot of shoreline wood use a longpole to dip in close to it

Forgive me I'm rattling on about a bunch of stuff you didn't ask and you may already know.

thanks doggone. Good information. I can always stand to learn more. I actually like fishing stained or dirty water. Have caught some of my biggest fish in those conditions.

Water is the most dense at 39.2 degrees. Thus, when the water temp reaches 39.2 degrees, the water below it rises to the surface, bringing all the mud and debris with it.