Winter Fishing Lakes With Power Plant Discharge

[retiredbosn]

This is a new scenario for me, I have cabin fever and want to hit the lakes. 3 of the local lakes have nuke power plants that discharge the cooling water back into the lake. The discharge water temp is very warm creating areas of warm water in the lake. I am assuming that these areas will attract bass and bait fish. Let me know your experience with this scenario, I've got it in my mind that these warm areas will be loaded with fish this time of year.

[Nitrofreak]

Yes they will be there or around that area.

Fishing a nuke plant is a funny thing, there is one on my home lake here in Va., I can go almost anywhere and catch fish but as soon as I get back to her it's like fishing brand new water.

Nuke plant fish seem to turn on and off at the drop of a hat at least it seems that way here on this one.

I try to find that majic temp on the water where they are most active and then establish a pattern, at the exit of the plant in the dead of winter I have seen water temps in the high 70's and high 90's to over 100* in summer month's, most of my fishing is done where water temps are high 50's to mid 60's in the winter, this lake along with other nuke plant lakes also will develope reverse current where the water travels back to the plant, I try to find structure and cover just on the outside of these warmer currents and find these areas to be most productive in the colder months.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

I don't think the water temp from the discharge is gonna attract bass. I still think IMO bass still follow their seasonal patterns, but you will see a lot of baitfish around.

[Bluebasser86]

The warm water around the discharge allows algae to grow year round and tends to attract baitfish and bass year round, especially during the winter. The discharge areas usually get fished hard too though, so the bass can be picky. This time of year I've caught them in warm water discharges on everything from shakeyhead finesse worms to 6" swimbaits to spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. Crankbaits and rattletraps seem to be pretty solid choices and if the water is warm enough a topwater can be a good choice also. If the bass are chasing shad really well, tossing a big swimbait can be a whole lot of fun!

[retiredbosn]

Thanks fellas, talking to a guy today in the tackle shop, he was complaining that he couldn't crappie fish because he kept hooking up with stripers. Wish I could have that problem lol

[basscatcher8]

I had that problem to was fishing for catfish and ended up walking home with a full limit of 5 pound plus stripers. Been fishing for em that way every year since lol.

[Bluebasser86]

Yeah the warm water tends to concentrate all kinds of fish. I catch quite a few wipers and tons of white bass fishing for bass every winter. If I get bored I break out the jigging spoons and start whacking big buffalo carp. Usually they're snagged but they pull like crazy and are a whole lot better than no fishing at all! I give them to the shore fishermen hoping they'll have all the fish they need for the day and go home before they catch a big bass or wiper and keep that instead.

[Nitrofreak]

Thanks fellas, talking to a guy today in the tackle shop, he was complaining that he couldn't crappie fish because he kept hooking up with stripers. Wish I could have that problem lol

Well then stop bass fishing and start crappie fishing lol !!!

[492VS]

The cooling water discharge exclusion area around Nuke Plants should have been expanded after 9/11. The one were I worked was expanded so far the warmer water that is discharged is negligible at the boundaries. Used to be the hay day fishing up right off shore for all fish species before then.

[Phoenix_1953]

GOOD GRIEF!! Some people have all th luck! The power plant close to me is a coal burner. I'm going fishing today, my wife thinks I'm nuts!

[Glenn]

And yes, we have an article on even that! http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/hot_water.html

[3dees]

I fish a couple of power plants in the Chicago area. the problem is that this great state of Ilinois shuts them down to fishing between the middle of Oct. til the middle of March. awesome fishing until about July when the water temp climbs over 100. no water skiing or jet skis allowed. in March and April you can fish in 50 degree water on the cold side and 80 degree on the discharge side. you just have to use lures suited for the water temps and not the air temps. seems wierd to use fast retrieves when your in a snowsuit. the worst fishing is when the plant is'nt pushing much water. current is the key. with no wind and little current I go with soft plastics at the base of the rip rap, and fish the humps.

[TINK]

We have a heated lake call Lake Swepco. It's crazy cause they spawn end of December and first part of January. It has been stock with Florida stran bass and it's not uncommon to catch 30+ bass a day. If I knew how to post pics I would post one of 6.5 I caught the other day.