lake turnover

[whitetail113]

Hello everyone i am new here and i had a question. i am going to be fishing by little falls mn during last week of october and i have heard about lake turnover and know what it is but since i am not from there and not knowing the weather much. When do it happen usually. I know its not an exact date but when is the usual time frame that it happens. So am i going to be before the turnover, after it, or right in the middle of it. Thanks.

[solbes]

On the lake I fish in Walker/Park Rapids, the water turns over the first time at ~ 54F. I verify by taking temp measurements at different depths. Small/medium size but fairly deep.

Looking at my temp records by year for mid October:

Oct 14, 2009 - 48F

Oct 21, 2010 - 54F

Oct 14, 2011 - 56F

Oct 21, 2012 - 47F

Figure a lake in Little Falls might be 1/2 to full week behind our area. If so, you'd be 50/50. It would have just turned in '09 and '12. Would not have turned in '10 or '11.

[The_Slayer]

So what is the general/overall effect on fishing when the lakes do turn?

[solbes]

So what is the general/overall effect on fishing when the lakes do turn?

It can be pretty profound. Prior to turnover, the fish can be agressive at times. The 2 times I've tried to fish during a turnover, I think we had one non-walleye fish combined. We went over a couple of lakes down the chain where turnover had already ocurred and did quite well.

After the turnover, the fishing can return. The fish can be anywhere they please. They can be shallow or at the bottom since there is dissolved oxygen at all depths post T.O. The whole process can repeat itself if the conditions are correct.

[goose89]

The whole process can repeat itself if the conditions are correct.

Really? Wouldn't that require a thermocline to re-establish itself?? That doesn't just happen in a couple weeks of Indian Summer, I don' think...

IMO, turnover is something that happens on some lakes, but not all, at least in a noticeable way...some years, it's really not a factor...the water mixes, but it's so slow, that not much is upset...my best fishing of the year consistently happens after turnover....not just sometimes.

[Nhamm]

The key word is AFTER turnover. Not a couple hours into it, more like 1-3 days depending on lake. If it has turned over in last 48 hours I would likely find another lake that hasn't yet. Fish scatter and clarity is horrible and will take some time to calm down, but as mentioned above they do go on the chew after.

[solbes]

Sure, some lakes do turnover multiple times. I don't believe the lake we're on does, but some do. The best resource I've found on the topic is linked to below:

Lake Ecology link on turnover

Agree that it can take days if not a week for fishing to return after a turnover.

[TruthWalleyes]

Fishing immediately after the turnover can be quite difficult. Bring some beers and enjoy some time in the boat. Fish will be scattered and fairly inactive.