Have you ever found an under water spring ?

[scaleface]

Theres been  article after article telling how good these places are and I have never found one . Just wondering how rare they really are ?

[riverbasser]

Depending on where you are in the country. I'm from Florida and there are literally springs everywhere. I don't know of any springs in my local lake of Alabama, but I do know of some spring fed creeks that pour into it. 

 

I wonder how you would find one since depth finders only read surface temps. Good question tho

[WRB]

Nearly every lake has springs. You can use your sonar unit to find springs but it's very time consuming unless you have a good idea where to start looking. 

Spring water is usually between 50 to 60 degrees year around. During the cold water period you can see spring locations by looking for warm water spots on the lakes surface, they are the first to start to create fogging. During the warm water period the colder spring water surface is the last area to create fog. Seeing fog coming off the water surface where there isn't any anywhere is easy to see. Seeing spots on the water without any fog when the entire lake surface is foggy isn't as easy to see. When you see fog or no fog spots mark a map or use a way point. Now you have an idea where to look with your sonar. The water around a spring will be the same as the spring water and the difference in density is visible on the sonar, it looks like a plume of different color water density. You often see baitfish and other larger fish in and around the plume of spring water.

If the lakes surface is calm and flat you can sometimes see the "nervous" water created by the springs current if it's not too deep.

Tom

 

[soflabasser]

20 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Theres been  article after article telling how good these places are and I have never found one . Just wondering how rare they really are ?

 There are several freshwater water springs in Florida, especially in the Central/Northern part of the state. The water in these springs is crystal clear and you can easily see +60 feet in front of you, and these places are usually loaded with fish.The water tends to be around 72 degrees any time in the year, so you can dive here in the winter time if you wanted to. I have done some free diving in these natural springs and would recommend anyone who enjoys the outdoors to visit these places. 

[Crestliner2008]

I can attest to the fact that they exist. Up here, all you have to do is look at an ice covered pond to find them. Gray spots, off from shore in the middle or side of a lake. However, when fishing these spots during open water, I really haven't had that significant a success rate to warrant them as a viable tactic. But that may just be me. 

[scaleface]

No doubt there are springs in the local lakes but they would be small . I dont think they would be detectable by sonar , fog , ripples ,  or surface temps .

[Catt]

I know the location of a secluded oxbox lake that happens to be Artesian Spring feed, the water is very cold year round. 

 

The bass are native to the area & not that big (4-5#) but the lake's drawing attraction is the huge Crappie.

[geo g]

In Florida there are freshwater springs in many of our lakes.  If you can find these springs they have a constant temp of 72* water flowing day and night 365 days a year.  During the extreme temps in Florida these spots can be magical.  These spots are especially good during temperature extremes.  Whether during extreme cold fronts or when the water temp climbs into the 90's.  These spots will produce constantly.  Word of mouth is the best way to find these spots.  Most people don't give up these locations easily.  You can drag a deep water thermometer, like a Lector C  around until you find the 72* constant temps on the surface reading, or you can just go fish!!!!!LOL.

[Further North]

Funny thing about springs around here...they feel cold in August, but really warm in January.

 

Ground water around here is 54° - 55°.  Springs all over the place.

[Sylvaneous]

Underwater springs shouldn't have much of any oxygen in them, so that's a factor that makes them less attractive to fish.  Up here in Coal Country, the acid mine drainage that comes from deep doesn't turn red (the iron doesn't entirely oxidize) until it 'daylights'.  

[HookRz]

Snagged a whole mattress frame once. First cast and I was already over my spring limit. 

[Bluebasser86]

The lake I grew up fishing had one. There was a small area that stayed open in all but the coldest winters. I was always so excited to get to that spot as soon as the ice went out. I'd park my little 2 man and catch fish after fish until I got tired of catching fish. 

[WRB]

Lakes that freeze over bass tend to hang around springs along with all the fish because the is a sevivable temperature regardless how much ice there is. With the water being a constant temperature aquatic vegetation can live year around if light can get that depth.

Big Bear where I grew up fishing had springs out in front of our cabin. When the lake was full there was thin ice or open water where the springs were and when down they spring ps formed ponds, how I learned about fog spots. The lakes I fish now all have springs but very few anglers ever look for them unless so much water is boiling up it's hard to miss them, rare event during drought years. 

Spring water has low DO levels but the green plant life off sets it and attracts baitfish.

Keep your eyes open and be aware springs probably exist where you fish, a interesting part of the ecosystem and knowing what to look for should help you find them.

Tom

 

[Quarry Man]

i fish a lake with several springs in 50-60', the water is 25' clear. use your fishfinder to mark the coolest water 

[Bucky205]

There are a couple around Ocala, FL.  Silver Springs is one, Salt Run is another.  We lived in Interlachen for several years just North of Ocala. It was fun to go swim in the springs, 72 degree crystal clear water in August.  In February the bass go on bed and it’s like sight fishing in a bath tub.  Small white lizards worked well, they wouldn't hit it but they would pick it up to move it off their bed if you got it in the right spot.  It’s not as easy as it might sound, but it is a lot of fun. I would think that the locations of most springs are known by now.  The crystal clear water and constant water temperatures are very noticeable.