Water Levels Question?

[George Cawthorn]

Hello to all Prostaffers from most of the time sunny California.

I have heard so many different things about the water level being up or down significantly as being good or bad for fishing.

I once went to a lake I had never fished at before and there was this guy who was leaving that I asked how he was doing. He said "The water is so dang high right now, it's very difficult."

I was thinking Hmmmm! Things are gonna be tough I suppose. Turns out I caught three petty nice bass from the shoreline in the afternoon and felt I had done OK.

Other times I have been at my favorite lake when the water was real low and been told "The water is way down now, things will get better when the water level comes back up."

Caught the best bass of my life when the water level was at about the lowest I can recall. You would think that low water level would mean more fish in less water. It only makes sense that that would be better.

Others have told me when the water level is down there is less cover and the fish head for deeper water and the baitfish scatter also.

I don't get the difference. Fish have to eat. They get hungry one way or the other. Whatever it is that turns fish on to bite, what does it have to do with the level of the water, I don't get it. I mean the relationship between the water level and the bite.

So the real question is, is there really any clear relationship between the water levels being high or low and the bite being better or worse and what causes it to be better or worse?

Thanks for your answers!!!

Good fishing to ya, later............ geobass

[mofish]

My observations have been that when the water level is high the fish move up into the newly flooded areas and spread out more. This makes it difficult to locate a good school of fish. So everyone complains that the fish are not biting because the lake is too high.

When the lake is low fish do pull back to deeper water you just have to locate some good structure to fish and go after them. Most of the time, when you do locate them, there will be a big school. All the fish that were shallow have moved out to join the deep fish. I think most complain about low water because most bass fishermen are bank beaters, (meaning that they fish the shoreline because they can see their targets to fish). Low water changes what they are used to seeing and now they are lost. The fish are still there just in different places. The fish will retreat to a place that it feels safe. They also have a tendency to suspend during low water which also makes them harder to catch.

These are just my observations I will take low water over high water anyday. Like you said the fish are now concentrated.

[Socal Bassman]

Well Geo, here's my take on the subject. In spring and summer, when the water level rises it floods cover and structure that used to be on dry land. The fish will scatter and roam the shallows, investigating the newly flooded cover. Your best bet would be to cover a lot of water without fishing too fast. Target the newly flooded cover with search baits like a spinnerbait, crankbait, or a floating trick worm. Once you get the fish dialed in, then turn around and hit those same spots with slower moving baits. In the colder months; however, the fish may or may not come up from deeper areas unless the incoming water is causing a warming of the shallow areas.

When it comes to dropping water levels due to drought or draw down, the fish will either: A)Suspend or B)Move out to main lake structure with major depth changes close by. In any lake there will be a number of fish that want to stay shallow. Falling water will push those fish that want to be shallow to any structure or cover that is close by to where they would normally be, provided there is ample food in the area.

So, in my opinion, no there is no relationship between the water level being high or low and the bite being better or worse. But, there is a definite relationship between the water level being high or low and fish location. Then again, I am not a pro. So maybe a Prostaffer might want to correct me if I'm wrong.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

I don't think there is any right or wrong answers here. Everyone has hit the nail on the head. I love it when the water is extremely low. The fish are much more predictable and easier to find, but then again, I have been fishing away from the banks most of my life. Low water levels are perfect for what I do, deep water crankin' off-shore structures. Given a choice I'll take low water any day. The fish do tend to scatter in high water, but I've had days where I've done very well by fishing a certain type of flooded buckbrush or a specific type or size of flooded timber. Good post-good luck, Johnnie

[carl]

Iwas looking forward to these posts, since I had the same question. This area has had a summer long drought, lakes are down about 4 feet. Fishing has been tough. Now with the fall frontal systems coming thru it's gotten worse. I, and some of my friends just don't know how to deal with this situation. I've located tons of bait fish, but can't scare up a bite. ?????? Carl

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Carl, I'm thinking the bass have pulled out away from the banks and using submerged cover or creek channels. This is the time for deep crankin and Carolina rigging in the fifteen to twenty foot range. All the good shoreline cover is high and dry so look for cover in deeper water or straight line-vertical jig spoons under pods of shad. Good luck. Johnnie

[carl]

yOU WERE RIGHT MASTER. caught some beautiful bass off shore. didn't even touch the banks. carl