Thread: Water Temps

Originally Posted by Andy Clayton

With only 5 to 6 weeks to go before things could get interesting with the spring spawn here's my question. We're talking Buggs Island with the question. When taking water temps and looking for 63 degree water, where do you take the actual readings? On flats say 5 to 8 foot of water and taking temps at 6'/4'or 2'??? Or do you take them over 15' of water and let's say at 2'. :rolleyes: I never paid much attention to water temps in the past but thought I'd try using them as a guide this year.

AC

That is a good question. I've always assumed that they were taken on the surface or just below. That would be a good question for the main board.

My temperature sensors are built in to my transducers, so my readings are either 6" (aft transducer) or 12" (trolling motor mounted transducer). If you have a portable temp sensor, I would check temps throughout the water column to see what depth is the warmest and target areas with cover or structure at that depth.

In general I believe that when people talk water temps they mean surface read from thier fish finder units. I would say for the most part not to many of us carry any other type of thermometer.

most of the people are talking about the surface temp,but we have a gauge that goes to 20ft so we can check it all.

My guess would be that the actual spawn does not occur in each particular spawn area until the water temp is 62/64 at the bottom whether 2' or 8' of water. I would also guess that during the early spawn, those trying to spawn when the water is first trying to get into the 63 degree range are chased off the beds very easily from a mild cold front. I would conclude from my guesswork that we should be taking water temps at or near the bottom of the spawn areas. If we find the temps slightly below the 62/64 degree range but no fish I would suspect we should pull off the bedding areas and try looking for suspended fish over deeper water but holding within the water column in their comfort range. I would guess trying somewhere in the mid 50's range might be the trick. What do you all say.

AC

its all really relative. has the 64 water you found just climbed to 64 or has there been a cooling spell? whats the moon phase? is the water level rising rapidly or falling? i've found from my own experience that there are too many variables to keep up with. so i just check shallow, then deep, then all the places in between with different speeds. works for me better than a thermometer...

now you are talking.theres nothing better than working your way from the shore to the middle.

:D FishDoc what you say sounds good for someone who lives nearby the lake and has time to search out what pattern and what is occurring at a particular daily period on the lake. What you have descripted is a "Genenal Pattern" for search purpose. Shallow to deep. First to warm to "where are they". The question I asked was the relationship of water temps to the "General Pattern" and how it might benifit all of us to understand. Dave is the only one who has stated he checks the temps down to 20' plus. I feel that the understanding of water temps at all levels throught-out the water column during the spawn will help some improve their catch. There are some who might just benifit from some good input.

AC