Dead Ozark River Water: Why Is It Dead?

[mic]

Why are the pools between the riffles in the Ozarks "dead water". Why are they not full of crappie, big blue gills, flat heads, and channel cats. I understand why smallmouth like the current, but I don't understand why still water fish don't live in these areas.

[riverrat]

They do. Smallmouth and largemouth also inhabit those pools. It is not "dead water".

[mic]

Then why do the regulars on here always talk about skipping them... I wonder?

[Hog Wally]

Actively feeding fish often sit the current areas. Oxygen levels better. Baitfish abundant. This time of year

[Seth]

Then why do the regulars on here always talk about skipping them... I wonder?

Just depends what you are targeting. If you want smallmouth, you're better of sticking to the the current seams. If those dead pools have a lot of wood, you can bet there will be some largemouths hanging around as well as other species, just not as many smallmouth.

[Mark]

I've often wondered why the streams aren't teaming with bluegill. I realize you can catch plenty of small sunfish, but why aren't streams like the Current River loaded with good eating size panfish. Is it because they get eaten by other fish before they can grow larger. I hear people say all the time that they can catch a meal of panfish anytime in the bigger Ozark streams, but man I have never seen much of any size taken from these streams. Would take a lot of pumpkinseed to make a meal.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think Hogwally got it right. There aren't a lot of bluegills because they aren't really a river fish, that's what longears and goggle eye are for. As far as crappoe go it's the same thing, there are a lot things missing in river pools that thay like.

No one stocks fish in rivers as a rule, at least not non natives, river fish don't need competition.

[riverrat]

Then why do the regulars on here always talk about skipping them... I wonder?

I can't answer for them, just from my meager thrashings. I'll be the first to admit that you will catch more smallmouth in and around current in the summer, but I've been pleasantly suprised too many times to ever skip this "dead water." Caught a 22" smallmouth in the middle of a 1/2 mile eddy on Friday. What was she doing there?

[fishinwrench]

Table rock lake is a massive stretch of frogwater, and they catch nice smallies there all the time.

[ozark trout fisher]

Why are the pools between the riffles in the Ozarks "dead water". Why are they not full of crappie, big blue gills, flat heads, and channel cats. I understand why smallmouth like the current, but I don't understand why still water fish don't live in these areas.

If you were talking about a trout stream I'd agree with that assesment. But on a typical Ozark river the dead water is often worthwhile especially if you're into largemouth. I essentially approach them like long, narrow ponds. It can be a lot of fun if you're in the right mood.

They can hold smallies, too. On one river I fish, I rarely catch a smallie over 13-14 inches what you'd typically refer to as "smallmouth water". The dead pools don't hold many bronzebacks (you'll catch 10 spots and largemouths for every smallie in those areas) but those are about the only places you can reasonably expect to hook into a really nice smallmouth. And you'll rarely catch any of the little ones that you find in more traditional habitat.