Bubbles in the water

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10-14-2021, 02:42 PM
Wowsites

Bubbles in the water

In fishing some lakes near DFW the last few months I noticed on livescope a lot of scattered bubbles streaming up from the bottom of the lakes. These were in areas of flooded timber where I mostly fish. This situation has occurred both prior to turnover and now in turnover. In some places the stream of bubbles is so thick I can't easily make out the fish and move on. Does anyone know what these bubbles typically are (air, CO2, methane, other)? If air, I would imagine that the extra oxygen might be a plus and perhaps actually attract crappies and their quarry. If CO2 or methane (from leaking of subsurface hydrocarbon deposits or decay of bottom vegetation), I would imagine the opposite situation. I saw and caught some fish in the areas near significant bubble streams so I'm not sure what to think. Anybody have experience with this or knows the science behind it?
10-14-2021, 02:52 PM
"G"

Bubbles are probably from sulfurous gas from decomposing materials on the bottom that get riled up from the turnover process.
10-14-2021, 03:38 PM
SuperDave336

:hesaid That’s what I have been told as well. Unless it is extremely heavy I wouldn’t worry about it. Seems there is always some around where I fish and i haven’t yet noticed the fish mind
10-14-2021, 03:54 PM
BuckeyeCrappie

theysaid
10-14-2021, 03:58 PM
DockShootinJack

I have seen places that looked like it had a areator running down on the bottom
10-14-2021, 04:54 PM
FishCrank

There are apparently multiple sources for the gas bubbles. Some are even contributed by the fish themselves. Check out this article:
Fish bubbles – what to look for and what they really mean | Advnture

As the article says, agitation of the water column can cause greater release of the lake bottom bubbles. I imagine that an outboard motor or even a trolling motor on spot lock can cause enough vibrations to agitate the lake bottoms. It would be interesting to see if the bubbles are reduced if one ties the boat off to a submerged tree or anchors with a raptor of conventional anchor instead of continuously running the trolling motor at a fishing spot.
10-14-2021, 05:06 PM
Gone Fishin'

Fish farts.
Use some GasX for bait and hang on!
10-14-2021, 05:26 PM
DockShootinJack

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishCrank

There are apparently multiple sources for the gas bubbles. Some are even contributed by the fish themselves. Check out this article:
Fish bubbles – what to look for and what they really mean | Advnture

As the article says, agitation of the water column can cause greater release of the lake bottom bubbles. I imagine that an outboard motor or even a trolling motor on spot lock can cause enough vibrations to agitate the lake bottoms. It would be interesting to see if the bubbles are reduced if one ties the boat off to a submerged tree or anchors with a raptor of conventional anchor instead of continuously running the trolling motor at a fishing spot.

I have bumped into old standing timber causing bubble to come up.
10-15-2021, 05:34 AM
Ketchn

I would think decomposition of organic matter on the bottom is in the mix ,made a few come off a condo I set out moths ago yesterday myself .
Beyond that , this much is often factual , those bubble streams will give up cover on the bottom more often than not ,a friend to a bank person going at it all blind and helpless like me for sure :Rofl
10-15-2021, 05:38 AM
DockShootinJack

I would think leaves laying on the bottom decomposing would be a source of bubbles. In vlear water you can see them stream from the mud itself
10-15-2021, 05:56 AM
chaunc

Underwater springs
10-15-2021, 06:00 AM
DockShootinJack

Those look awesome when you see them in a sand bed.
10-15-2021, 08:47 AM
DrNip

If I see bubbles I go check it out. Typically wood structure there and I mark it.
10-15-2021, 08:49 AM
Barnacle Bill

Alligators
10-15-2021, 09:28 AM
DockShootinJack

So much different than bubbles in the bath tub:Rofl
10-15-2021, 11:12 AM
stormcloud

Hydrogen Sulfide caused by decomposing organic matter, gas is released when exposed to oxygen.
10-15-2021, 11:20 AM
funfishers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

Alligators

I always suspect turtles, we seem to catch a bunch of them.
10-15-2021, 11:24 AM
DockShootinJack

Them gators will release a bunch of bubbles
10-15-2021, 11:34 AM
funfishers

Alligator and turtle farts, that is the answer to this question.
10-15-2021, 11:35 AM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by funfishers

I always suspect turtles, we seem to catch a bunch of them.

That’s what my dad used to me years ago .
He said they were turtle farts. :)
10-15-2021, 12:07 PM
DockShootinJack

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

That’s what my dad used to me years ago .
He said they were turtle farts. :)

That's funny stuff
10-15-2021, 12:28 PM
"G"

Let's not get carried away here.....it was a serious question and deserves serious answers. Otherwise it's off topic.
10-15-2021, 02:11 PM
funfishers

My thoughts on the subject were serious, I've fished small waters most of my life and have caught many turtles which I hate to catch.
When I'm fishing under a bobber and see bubbles I move my line cause I don't want to catch another turtle.
10-15-2021, 06:35 PM
CrappiePappy

Quote:

Originally Posted by funfishers

My thoughts on the subject were serious, I've fished small waters most of my life and have caught many turtles which I hate to catch.
When I'm fishing under a bobber and see bubbles I move my line cause I don't want to catch another turtle.

It's not the seriousness of your thoughts that's the problem .... it's the reference to gator & turtle "toots" (which are more accurately actually "burps"). :twocents
10-16-2021, 06:26 AM
Micanopy

Bacteria

Many forms of microscopic critters create gas. Yeast fermenting wine creates the tiny bubbles you see when drinking champagne for example. For each molecule of ethanol they produce, they also produce one molecule of carbon dioxide. So as these bacteria are consuming stuff lying on the bottom, they produce gas and while the release of bubbles might be constant, a sudden disturbance can cause multiple bubbles to be released.

Fish will issue forth bubbles, as will gator and turtle. However those types are more like bubble trails where it is obvious something is moving. The key to distinguish between gator bubbles and turtle bubbles is by getting your nose right down to the water’s surface and sniffing. Gator bubbles have a unique odor. Very easily recognizable once you have experienced it several times. You have to get down really close though before the scent becomes dispersed and lost to the prevailing winds. That is the whole trick right there.

I have seen certain small patches of water that is just bubbles everywhere. Having studied these areas extensively, you can rely on the facts that I have proffered. It is a shame that others have tried to sidetrack this discussion as they have. Bubble discussions are far too serious for mere jokesters trying to get in cheap childish jokes and such. I did my best to treat the subject matter with the seriousness it deserves. Shame on you guys.
10-16-2021, 06:31 AM
DockShootinJack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micanopy

Bacteria

Many forms of microscopic critters create gas. Yeast fermenting wine creates the tiny bubbles you see when drinking champagne for example. For each molecule of ethanol they produce, they also produce one molecule of carbon dioxide. So as these bacteria are consuming stuff lying on the bottom, they produce gas and while the release of bubbles might be constant, a sudden disturbance can cause multiple bubbles to be released.

Fish will issue forth bubbles, as will gator and turtle. However those types are more like bubble trails where it is obvious something is moving. The key to distinguish between gator bubbles and turtle bubbles is by getting your nose right down to the water’s surface and sniffing. Gator bubbles have a unique odor. Very easily recognizable once you have experienced it several times. You have to get down really close though before the scent becomes dispersed and lost to the prevailing winds. That is the whole trick right there.

I have seen certain small patches of water that is just bubbles everywhere. Having studied these areas extensively, you can rely on the facts that I have proffered. It is a shame that others have tried to sidetrack this discussion as they have. Bubble discussions are far too serious for mere jokesters trying to get in cheap childish jokes and such. I did my best to treat the subject matter with the seriousness it deserves. Shame on you guys.

Could you describe this unique odor so we could recognize it?
10-16-2021, 10:39 PM
Chuck Adams

If there is a gator down there I sure don’t want my face close to the water. #Nohead.
I’ve seen those bubbles on Livescope too. Just thought they were from turtles. No gators in Indiana thank goodness.
Chuck

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
10-17-2021, 10:14 AM
CrappiePappy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

If there is a gator down there I sure don’t want my face close to the water. #Nohead.
I’ve seen those bubbles on Livescope too. Just thought they were from turtles. No gators in Indiana thank goodness.
Chuck

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I'm with you, Chuck !! Seen too many episodes of Swamp People to be putting my nose that close to any water that might be hiding a gator. :Rofl

Seen lots of bubbles on Livescope, but all of them were coming from the bottom .... no gators or turtles in the area :biggrin
10-17-2021, 05:22 PM
DockShootinJack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

If there is a gator down there I sure don’t want my face close to the water. #Nohead.
I’ve seen those bubbles on Livescope too. Just thought they were from turtles. No gators in Indiana thank goodness.
Chuck

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Makes a fella shutter thinking about it
10-18-2021, 09:34 AM
ezgoing

I always thought it was decomposition myself and never fished the bubbles. But I have a friend who believes it is from fish and always fishes any bubbles she sees. She often catches crappie doing it so who knows?

Doesn't cost anything to fish the bubbles so I am thinking about trying it myself. Hate to allow doubt to keep me from catching crappie. :)
10-18-2021, 10:09 AM
funfishers

That is true.
10-27-2021, 06:04 PM
FishCrank

Caught a crappie a couple of days ago using Livescope and released it. Watched it go straight to the bottom of the lake. Once it approached or hit bottom, a large stream of bubbles there were released. The lake bottom must be very susceptible to agitation even from a small crappie.