Length Of Day Versus Water Temperature

[Old plug]

Here is something that should stir some discussion. What do the length of day and water temperature each have on fish behavior.

[fishinwrench]

Well, it sure seems that when day/night are close to equal in length, that's when the fish spend alot of time being active in the shallows, and are easier for me to catch.

Water temps: I'm pretty confident when it's between 60-80, and when it's 72-76 I'm as good as I ever get.

[Old plug]

The reason i am doing this is to see what everyone thinks. i think length of day sets a time clock. That might conflict with water

Temperature. And make a litle difference at change of season. The reason i brought it up wrench os i went down to run my motor today. After I stared the motor igot a crappie outfit out and dropped a jog into about 15 ft of water. Right away I had a very nice keeper. In a few minutes in caught 7 crappie on 10 cast 6 of them being real good keepers. The colors were still bright and they were not loggy. Usually after we get some really cold weather at the end of december they move down to the point and suspend way deep. What I believe is they are still here because of the length of day. I bet if this warmer weather hangs on another two week they will be gone and suspended regardless. But then again they are crappie who knows for sure. To me the water temp say suspended but the time is not right.

[Al Agnew]

I think I agree with you. Length of day determines a period of time in which, at some point, they'll be taking a particular action, water temps determine the exact time within that period of time. To explain what I mean, let's say that stream smallmouth in the Ozarks are going to be moving out of wintering areas SOMETIME between late February and late March. So the lengthening daylight during that time period is going to be telling them to get ready to move. But the final thing, within that time period, that gets them moving is water temperature. AND, no matter how warm the water gets during an unseasonable warm spell in mid-Febrauary, they ain't moving because the length of daylight isn't right, but if it's a cold spring and the water temps still aren't right by late March, they're moving anyway.

[Old plug]

I think thats as close as you can get. To it AL