What Temp Again

[mic]

Sorry if I asked this already, but what temp due the smallies start turning on?

From the upper Black, East Fork

[Greasy B]

I dont know enough about what temperature changes fish behavior to comment but that graph does show why mid/late afternoon is often the best time.

[Al Agnew]

Just depends upon what you mean by "turning on". This time of year, the fish are doing lots of stuff besides just waiting for the water temps to rise enough to make them want to feed. And a lot of what they do is based as much or more on photoperiod as it is water temps. But as a general rule of thumb, 60 degrees is kind of the magic mark when they get active enough that they can be caught on just about anything you want to throw at them and not just the slower, deeper stuff. Back in the old days before I got more scientific about it (which probably didn't help all that much), I always equated the fish turning on with when the redbuds were in full bloom.

Keep in mind that temps aren't eveything, like I said. Last year, with water temps well up into the 60s in March, the fish were catchable but the fishing wasn't as good as I would have thought it would be. For instance, I made a float on Courtois Creek with conditions seemingly perfect, but the fishing was so-so. And I saw quite a few big fish just moving up the middle of the creek. I'm convinced that they were moving, not feeding, because the photoperiod told them it was time to move to where they were going to spawn and probably spend the summer.

On the other hand, a few years back when we had one of those cold spring seasons, the water temps still hadn't made it up into the 60s at the beginning of May. I made a float on Big River where I measured the water temp at 52 that morning and 55 by mid-afternoon...but some fish were spawning and I was catching fish on buzzbaits all day. The photoperiod told them spring was here, even though the water temps were wrong.

[mic]

Thanks Al.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think the only real difference in the yearly life of a smallie is in where they are and how aggressive they are.

[Greasy B]

Whether you waiting for the water temperature to rise, the photo period to increase, the Red Buds to bloom or for the leaves on the Oak trees to grow to the size of a squirrels ear it’s all happening in the next few weeks. The river beckons.

[Gavin]

Keep your oil temp at 350 or the fillets get soggy...

[OzarksRiverman]

Where are those water temp graphs located on the USGS water data website?

And what water temperature would you all say would be bearable for wading without waders?

[mic]

For some reason they are on the smaller waters. Look at the head of Jack's fork and the Black river for temps.