Smallmouth in warmer water?

[K_Mac]

I have a power plant cooling lake near me (Baldwin, IL.) that I fish often late fall to early spring. The water stays above 50 most of the time, even in the coldest weather. The lake was stocked with smallies a few years ago, and they have really taken off. I've heard of fish over 5 lbs. We've caught them to 18", some well over 3#. I ordered a scale a few days ago, so I will post some actual weights and pictures next time.

Is stocking smallmouth in hot water lakes a common practice? I've always thought they were a colder water fish than largemouth. Based on the fish I've caught in the last few weeks, that is not the case. They sure are fun to catch! 8-)

[roadwarrior]

50 is still cold water!

The White River in north central Arkansas

is a constant 53 degrees year around below

Bull Shoals Dam. This is a trout river, but

we occasionally catch little smallmouth. The

water is simply too cold for successful

recruitment and growth.

8-)

[K_Mac]

Rw having fallen off the boat in 50 degree water, I know for sure it is cold!

I didn't really explain my question very well. In the summer when all three generators are running the surface temp will sometimes be >100 degrees. I've seen it as high as 105. The lake is 2000 acres, with 15 miles of shoreline. There is some deep water ~40' and an old channel that is ~20' deep. The average depth is 8'. Since this is a perched lake the only fresh, cool water is pumped from the nearby Kaskaskia river at the southeast corner. It is added only as needed. When the generators are running there is some current as the power plant re-circulates water from the southwest end, and discharges it at the northeast via an off limits canal.

Last fall we caught a couple of nice smallies in 4'-5' when the surface temp. at that spot was 95+. I just didn't realize smallmouths could tolerate that high of temps.

[stepchild]

I live in the North so I can't really claim to say I've fished warm water. I fish some lakes that have both largies and smallies in it and the surface temp can get up to 85 or so, but that's in a lake that also has lake trout and deep water (200 ft+).

Like you, I was always under the impression that smallies would seek colder water, where available, if the water temperature seemed a little high. Even on the warmest of summer days (which is likely around 100 w/ humidity) and I can still see them in 2-5 feet of water over the rocks.

This made the gears run a little and it just didn't quite add up. What I came up with was fairly simple...forage. The bass in the lake feed primarily on perch, rock bass and crayfish. There are barely any weeds for them to hide in so I'm thinking they might not have a choice but to be there if they want to eat.

...or maybe someone could give me a better explanation as well!

[77railer]

sounds like a good time.

[Big Al23]

You have to remember that they have to eat. If the food is there in the warmer water, then they have to go there to eat.

Normally, you'd find them in the 40 ft depths or the 20 ft channel, but if there is no food there, they won't be there.

Other than that I can't explain it.

[K_Mac]

Thanks guys. I'm sure you're right that it is forage that brings them in shallow. They are hardier and more tolerant of heat than I thought. That's a good thing, because they are fun to catch!

[maineman]

I live in the North so I can't really claim to say I've fished warm water. I fish some lakes that have both largies and smallies in it and the surface temp can get up to 85 or so, but that's in a lake that also has lake trout and deep water (200 ft+).

Like you, I was always under the impression that smallies would seek colder water, where available, if the water temperature seemed a little high. Even on the warmest of summer days (which is likely around 100 w/ humidity) and I can still see them in 2-5 feet of water over the rocks.

This made the gears run a little and it just didn't quite add up. What I came up with was fairly simple...forage. The bass in the lake feed primarily on perch, rock bass and crayfish. There are barely any weeds for them to hide in so I'm thinking they might not have a choice but to be there if they want to eat.

...or maybe someone could give me a better explanation as well!

X2 P.S. Get rid of those fish scales and you will have better fishing memory,s! ;D ;D ;D