Picture I took this norning

Any ideal what this is?
thanks

The arches are fish I believe. I am guessing the red layer is the thermocline…..anyone else?

:popcorn

The red is what I was wondering about

I am thinking thermocline myself

Thanks

Thermocline. A lake I fish here is around 12’ also.

I concur ... thermocline ... Sonar can pick up these differences in water density that stratify in layers of the body of water ...

Thermocline – Everything You Need to Know

Rickie

i would think it's the thermocline

early morning plankton maybe sometimes, but moe liikey thermo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

early morning plankton maybe sometimes, but moe liikey thermo

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I'm kinda in Cane Pole's court on this. I don't think I've ever seen a thermocline quite that thick (5ft), but I've definitely seen plankton nearly cover a depthfinder's screen. On the other hand, Mr. Google says a thermocline can be much thicker than 5ft ... so, who am I to say, one way or the other ? :dono

In my lake, the thermocline goes from about 15-18' and almost all the way to the bottom- regardless of the depth.

Summer stratification: In warm months, lakes form three layers—

1. Epilimnion – Warm surface layer with lots of oxygen.
   
2. Thermocline – Middle layer where temperature drops rapidly (sometimes 1–3°F per foot).
   
3. Hypolimnion – Cold, deep water with little oxygen.

The “break”: The thermocline break is the point where this temperature change meets the lake bottom—often along a slope or drop-off.
Fish, especially in summer, stack along this zone because it offers:

• Comfortable, cooler temperatures.
  
• Enough oxygen.
  
• Access to food drifting down from above.

Fishing advantage: If you can locate that break—using electronics or a temperature probe—you can target suspended fish or those holding right where the thermocline touches structure. Drop shots, jigs, or live bait presentations right in that layer can be deadly, especially for walleye, bass, or big panfish.

mine were crappies
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