Bottom temp.

[fishnfool59]

First off, being fairly new to this site, at least for actually posting something, this is one heck of a site!!! Its GREAT!!

Ok, now the question?? I have a aqua view MC2x that shows the temp. Because I havent been able to use it all that much the past few winters and the fact that I am learning more everytime I go out, it has donned on me that the water temp in the lake that I am trying to learn is about 32-34 degs. Everyone is saying, no matter when I go out, that its been "pretty slow" and I can attest to that!!! We see fish, watch them come up to the bait, just seems that they are real sluggish. Seems to me that the temp is rather low?? I was in Minn. for the "X" and a little fishing on Gull. Just cant remember,or was not paying attention, to the temps up there?? Not sure what the water temp should be in 26' of water?? Any help please!!!

[delmuts]

i can't help with your question, but welcome to this great site! del

[polarsusd81]

I have found that the temp reading on the bottom is generally around 38 to 40 degrees. You may want to check your camera in a bowl of water at home with a digital thermometer to see if it is calibrated right. 32 to 34 does seam really low.

Tom

I should also mention that I have the same camera and have checked it to be sure it was right on.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Your coldest water should be right up under the ice.. and that should be 32 degrees.. the deeper you go, the warmer it should be, up to as staed about 38 degrees...

Yet, I dont think that is why you fish are not bitting? They at this point of the winter should be quite used to the cooler temps.

[Kyle Sandberg]

If you want the science behind it, here I go. A water molocue has a mickey mouse shape to it. One larger hydrogen atom in the middle and two smaller oxygen atoms at about 110 degrees to each other. Because of this design, water in a frozen state forms a six sided figure and takes up more space than in its liquid state. As the ice warms above melting point, the crystalene stuchure breaks down but doesn't completely melt. It will fully melt at 40 or higher. Above 32 but below 40, water has crystlas of ice in it visible only to a microsope. With the added crystals, the water becomes more dense. The closer you get to 39, the more dense it is.

So with the lake being froze over and no circulation or heating of the water, theoretically, the temp at the botom should be 39.Hope it helps.

[JigginIsLife]

well without getting into the macromolecule of it the post above is certainly correct but a little confusing to me. but how have understood it in all my bio classes in college is that at about 36-38 the water is at its most dense point therefor causing the "turning over" of the lakes. durring winter the water near the top cools down to that 36-38 degrees and then pushes the rest of the water up. becuase of the attributes of water it startes to reach a less dense form as it approaches its solid form and therefore the water on the bottom should be warmer than the water on the top. but the further you get down the warmer the water should be becuase the cycle should be slower. but like the post before the water can only be so warm and thats right around 40.5 degrees. but i hope that is a little bit of an extension to your question.

[Sonicrunch]

Quote:

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If you want the science behind it, here I go. A water molocue has a mickey mouse shape to it. One larger hydrogen atom in the middle and two smaller oxygen atoms at about 110 degrees to each other.

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Very good. I don't want to seem petty, but...

it is actually the large Oxygen atom, with the 2 small Hydrogen atoms.

[Sonicrunch]

to the original poster:

Since a lake is not the same depth across the entire lake, the warm water will be found in the deeper depths. e.g., a bowl lake with a max depth of 40' is not going to have 39 degree water in the 10' shallows because that 39 degree water will sink to the deeper part of the lake.

Lets say this graphic represents the aformentioned lake. You can see why you will not find any 39 degree water in the shallows.

[fishnfool59]

Thanks to all that responded. It seems that our "ice" season is coming to a close real fast with the rain and really wet snow we have and are getting, so I will have some time to "calibrate" the sensor to see if thats the problem. I thought the btm temp should be around 39 deg. Again, thanks to all that helped me through our quick chemistry class!!! The power of the web, its AMAZING!!!!

[Kyle Sandberg]

OMG, I'm stupid, here I'm thinking ho2