Understanding the Fall Turnover

People have a hard time understanding the fall turnover. It is not difficult once you learn what is happening in your waterways. The event is normal and happens twice a year. The spring has the same action occur with water temperature reversing. Although, the fall turnover is the one with more of an effect on fishing. Basically, the water on the surface cools and sinks to the bottom.

All waterways have zones of different temperatures. In summer, the surface water is warmer and deep water is cooler. The opposite is true in the winter. The surface is the coldest with deeper water warmer. The region you live in will determine how extreme the differences are in the water depths.

Colder water is denser and does sink. This causes a mixing of the water for several weeks or more depending on lake size. The temperature zones flip positions on the waterway. That is the cause of fishing being tougher. Fish likely cannot find a preferred temperature zone in the waterway.

Wind will cause the water to cool faster. This will happen faster on smaller or shallower lakes. On these waters, the turnover will be quicker in changing over. The fish will settle into the deeper water in a shorter time period. The event takes longer on larger and deeper lakes. In some instances, a small lake will turnover before large water begins.

Effects of the Fall Turnover

As the fall season progresses the surface water gets too cold for many fish. They start to go into deeper water. The fish are seeking stable temperatures. When the cold water starts sinking. All the zones become close or the same temperature. Fish need to adjust to this event.

In addition to the water changing temperatures. The mixing creates more oxygen in all depths of the water. A fish can survive at any depth during the event with more than ample dissolved oxygen present. This will have many species move during the turnover. They will use structure and cover previously avoided due to low oxygen levels.

During the fall turnover fish may go into a non-feeding phase. Temperature changes account for most of the fish’s non-feeding periods. Think of the event as an extreme cold front situation. It will be hard to get a fish to bite. During this time of year, you need to cover more water and fish slower presentations often.

The slower period lasts a few days to a week on most waters. The smaller waters change over fast. Larger waters have areas changing at different times. You will find productive fishing if the effort is put forth.

Fishing This Time of the Year

When you do find fish the spot will be productive during the fall turnover. Mark the spot for your next day on the water. Fish will stay in the area during the event. Use search lures in the area to pinpoint the depth and locations. Good choices include slow-rolling spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and finesse lures.

Areas fish will inhabit during this time of the year. Tend to be steeper slopes going into deep water. These areas provide structure and a larger range of depths. The fish will move up and down the slope to find preferred conditions. You will need to adjust the depth you fish in the areas.

During fall turnover fish seek specific structure
Fish like steep slopes structure in the fall transition.

Boat anglers will have it easier than shore fishermen. The preferred structure tends to be too far from shore during the fall turnover. Shore anglers will need to find areas with a bluff or very steep shoreline. Boat anglers will use their electronics to identify the areas holding fish. The fish will be in denser schools. Jigging is a good option for depth control and slower presentations.

Shore anglers can use jigs and have success at times. If the fish are suspending a crankbait or other lure is needed for the depth. Shore anglers will have to know what depth the lure runs in relation to the retrieve speed. The fish may be in a 5 feet range of the water’s depth. You will need to try several lures with various retrieve speeds.

Conclusions

A turnover occurs twice a year. The fall is more significant due to changing to cold water. The timing and length are affected by the depth and size of the waterway. Fish seek specific areas during the turnover. They will be concentrated in the steeper sloped areas of the waterway. The depth fish inhabit can change. A person needs to fish in various depths to catch fish.


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