CTFishTalk.com: HEAT ! - Connecticut General Topics ( CT General Topics ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi,

Well it looks like we may be in for another dry period as we had in April, of this year.
The more serious problem is the heat!
And according to the NOAA long range Wx reports I've read, this will effect much of our inland fishing -> + agriculture will also suffer if not sufficient rain comes our way.

As the temperatures rise so does the water temps -> and fact is, water retains heat longer.
Also higher water temperatures causes water to have less dissolved oxygen in it.
The higher water temps + lower oxygen levels puts serious stress on all our fish.

Down south -> the fish have adapted to yearly high water temps, where as our temperate fish, here in Ct., .... don't tolerate well long periods of high temps.
Our fish will seek out cooler waters within lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams -> also called thermal refuges.
This is where the fish can find more comfortable water and water that contains higher levels of oxygen.

Pretty much 80 degree water temp is recognized as the cut-off point here in Ct. which the majority of our fish can tolerate, .....and for only so long.
There comes a point where the fish then become very legarthic and are starved for lack of sufficient oxygen.
Plus there is the posibility for excess algae blooms that depleat oxygen further and is known to cause fish kills.

I spoke with the DEP on this subject, quite some time ago, and the only suggestion they could offer was, if you plan to keep your catch, ice it down immediately.
And if you practice C&R to do so as quickly as possible without harming the fish !

Hope this helps you to understand how high heat Wx conditions can effect our fishing and how to handle the fish you catch.

SeaDog1

"Never Give In ... Never Back Down"

MikeOkay · Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 76 Location: Naugatuck

Do the bass continue to find their way to the shallower water to feed? It sounds like this heat is really going to kill the shore fishing, which sucks but im sure i can still find something.

And that's interesting about the algea bloom. I would imagine that algea, like most plant life, would produce more oxygen in the water rather than depleeting it.

I found this qoute in the first result on google:
The primary source of oxygen for a pond is from microscopic algae (phytoplankton) or submerged plants. In the presence of sunlight, these produce oxygen through photosynthesis and release this oxygen into the pond water
Source: http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/faq/dissolved-oxygen/

Also, what happens to the fish in smaller ponds like roadside parks and such? There's a decent bass population in the prospect park pond, but the place is so tiny i could see the water temp reaching 85+ in a long heat wave. Will they just go belly up?

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi Mike,

Well per your algae question -> Not all algae are beneficial. ("Red Tide" is a well known one!)
Some others produce large surface covering mats that can smother, at the surface, the water air interaction where the actual mixing of water and oxygen takes place.
This I learned from the oceanographers I worked with over the years.
Oxygen produced by submerged plant life gets mostly dissolved at the surface.
Any one who keeps an aquarium knows that the air bubbles from an air pump does not add oxygen into the water but disturbs the surface tension so this mix of O2 and water can take place at the surface and also rid the water of excess CO2.

As for the rest of your questions -> Others better qualified/experienced then me should be able to answer you.
I do know that fish will seek out cooler water (at or near the thermocline) with more oxygen when the water gets too warm with depleted oxygen -> "It's a survival thing" Exclamation

SeaDog1

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I'd rather be in Alaska!

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi,

Me too Exclamation

Classmate who lives there, in Ketchikan, keeps inviting me to go Halibut fishing!

Someday soon!

SeaDog1 Mr. Green

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

My aunt lives there, lots and lots of salmon! When you leave the airport it's pretty scary, you are literally right over the mountain.
_________________
Steve

chud059 · Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Posts: 413 Location: Manchester

I've been fishing at night lately so the fish may be moving to the shore at the pm times. I fish from the shore so night time has been really good so far for me.

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi chud059,

Your response reminded me of this famous song written by Noel Coward and sung by the Muppets!

Good humorous song for Hot + Blazing Summer Sun ..... Daytime fishermen ! LOL Laughing

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASrXlOr-p1c

SeaDog1

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I'll take Jan and Feb over June and July!!

MikeOkay · Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 76 Location: Naugatuck

You're crazy man. Spring and fall are the best obviously, but i'll still take summer over winter for sure.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Plenty of layers is better than sweating in a plain old tee and shorts!!

I'd rather shiver instead of sweat!!