Lake Turning Over?

[Don]

Does anyone know if Stockton is turning over right now?

[Dutch]

I don’t see how it could be with water in the 70s and lots of places with a 30’ thermocline.  The water in the Little Sac is nasty.  It turned my white braid brown.

[straw hat]

I agree with Dutch. I also have to admit the water just plain looks nasty in many places.

[fshndoug]

I believe lake turnover occurs when the lakes surface area becomes cooler than the bottom layer . Most surface temps at present is around 68-71 degrees. I am sure that the bottom layers of most lakes are way cooler than this temp.

[Johnsfolly]

Just now, fshndoug said:

I believe lake turnover occurs when the lakes surface area becomes cooler than the bottom layer . Most surface temps at present is around 68-71 degrees. I am sure that the bottom layers of most lakes are way cooler than this temp.

Water is unusual in that its density is lighter at higher temperatures and again as it freezes. That is why the warmer water is above the thermocline for most of the year, since the cooler water is denser (e.g., heavier). As @fshndoug stated the turnover begins as the surface water cools closer to the temp of the water under the thermocline. The lower temps and the wave motion due to surface winds in the fall are sufficient to disrupt that thermocline and the temp within the water column would be consistent from top to bottom or be very close. Depending upon the depth of the lake the water below the thermocline is likely to be around 48 to 55 deg. If you still have surface temps above 60 deg then the lake may be starting to turn over but has not fully turned over.

[fishinwrench]

I think it's best not to blind yourself with science regarding the Fall turnover.  

If our lakes had the topography of a cereal bowl then you might be able to make sense of it.  But they don't.....and you can't.   

Stay in areas where the max depth is 15' or less and look for life in that zone.  

[fshndoug]

In the summer just find the thermocline and fish above it. The fishing can be tough in the fall because the fish are on the move as the days get shorter and the water cools. The fish can be caught both shallow and deep.  People are quick to blame lake turnover for their lack of fishing success at this time of year.

[Terrierman]

I'm not a turnover expert except when it comes to Bull Shoals putting stinking brown water for several days into the White River during jigfest and then I know trout don't bite.  Which makes me an expert compared to Patrick Mahomes.  Who is busy with other things at the time.