Water Turning Over????? Can Someone Please Explain

[Mud River Matt]

Ok guys, so being relatively new to bass fishing I have a question. I heard a guy talking about the water turning over, and that it was about to happen. I was lost, I have no idea what he is talking about. Could someone please explain what this is, what happens when this occurs, how does it affect fishing and just anything else that may be helpful to know. Thanks a lot guys, Matt

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Pretty much when your lakes water mixes, oxygen is replenishing the water. When the surface temp reaches about 50 degrees the water on top is denser than deeper water. The suface water that is dense sinks to the bottom and that pushes the deplated oxygen water from the bottom to the top...You can catch fish but use lures that cover lots of water Rattle traps of lipless cranks, spinners, cranksbaits, etc..  and i dont know if you have a boat or not, but if your fishing a big lake its rare the whole lake with turn over all at once. So find cleaning water and you might find some fish!

 

I normally dont fish when its happening jsut  personal prefence but after it does oh man is it lunker hunter time!!!!

 

Good luck !

[WRB]

You can research lake turn over, should be several threads discussing this phenomena.

Most lakes that freeze will have 2 turn overs, when the lake thaws and in the fall when the cools before freezing. Lakes that don't freeze tend to have 1 fall turn over.

The easiest way to tell when a turn over occurs is by smell, the bottom decayed debris floats to the surface and smells like sulfur. Fishing is usually slow for a few weeks after a lake turns over, until the bass readjust to the different dissolved oxygen levels and water temperature.

Cold water is heavier than warm water and heavier water sinks down towards the bottom. Water is at it maximum weight at 39.4 degrees, colder it starts to float until it freezes. When the summer warm water is cooled during colder nights and day time air temperature, the water cools, pushing the warmer water down until the weight of the cooler water turns the lake over. All the water mixes together, bottom cold water with all the thermal layers inbetween.

Tom

[Glenn]

This article explains what happens and why:  http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/water-h20.html

[Mud River Matt]

Thanks guys, I tried a search before I post RW but I couldnt find anything. Thanks guys