Question about water temps?

[Animal]

Over the weekend I was sitting around the campfire talking the a guy camped in the next site. We were discussing the cold water temps on Kabby and the resulting poor fishing. The surface temp as anywhere from 42 to 45. He tells me that the water temp at 35 feet was 56 degrees and all the fish are down there in the warm water. Now I'm not an expert, but I don't see how this is possible being that the ice was on the lake 3 weeks ago. My thoughts are that this guy is full of it. Is this possible?

[Guest]

I'M not 100 percent positive but i think there is certain camera outfits that have temp readings and isnt this the main principle behind water turnover?

[LocalGuide]

Could be somewhat true. If no "turnover" has occured then It maybe true.
I wouldnt say it is 56ºF but more like 50ºF, but I didnt take the temp so I couldnt tell ya.

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And keep those hooks sharp!

[GudeMN]

If I remember my physics when water reaches 32 degrees it actually becomes less dense and will rise in the water column above warmer water. A lake won't freeze (or begin to freeze) until the surface temp reaches 32 degrees. If this didn't happen (32 degree water becoming less dense) lakes and would freeze from the bottom up and fish and other aquatic life would die. Water temps are pretty uniform throughout the winter from top to bottom only differing by a degree or two. Now in the spring as sunlight melts snow and eventually penetrates the ice and warms muddy bottoms, wood, rocks, etc. the surrounding water warms and rises. Eventually the ice melts and your warmest water will rise towards the surface. I guess what I'm getting at is as you go deeper I'm pretty confident water temp isn't going to be warmer than surface temps in most cases. I'm just applying what physics I do remember and some information from articles I've read. Someone with some actual wisdom please sort this out.

[This message has been edited by GudeMN (edited 05-19-2004).]

[united jigsticker]

Water is at its greatest density at 38 degrees.

As it gets warmer or colder then 38 degrees, the density decreases.

So with that fact, in order for the water down 35 feet to be 56 degrees, the water above it would have to be above 56 degrees.

I will bet the water down 35 feet in KAB is 38-40 degrees respectively.

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Good fishing,
UJ
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