Reservior Current

The ratio of incoming and outgoing water to reservoir volume, the shape of an impoundment, and the directional flow toward outlets determine where current can be found on reservoirs. Incoming water seeks its own density. Warm, “light” water flows into and mixes with warm surface-water. Cold, dense water sinks under the warm surface and mixes with cold water beneath the thermocline. Salty (mineral-laden) water, being heavier than pure water of the same temperature, sinks as well. Pure, warm rainwater floats on cold, heavier saltwater; cold rainwater mixes with warm surface-water while it sinks. All of these patterns produce discernible current.
Large, deep-draining reservoirs may develop variable temperature profiles and may not experience distinct fall turnover because their coldest water is continually drained off. Instead, the average temperature of their deepest water remains higher and their thermoclines deeper than those of shallow reservoirs. Incoming flows spread and dissipate, creating discernable current only in their upstream areas that receive water from the next dam.

Water Clarity

Some reservoirs are clear, while others are dingy or even muddy. Also, clear or dingy reservoirs may become muddy after heavy rain or strong winds. Or certain areas may become muddy (windswept banks), while other areas may remain clear or dingy.

Fish in clear water usually hold deeper or in heavier cover than fish in dingy or muddy water. Also, fish in clear water are spookier since visibility is better, and they’re more vulnerable to predators. As a rule of thumb, the best water to fish is slightly to moderately dingy.

The fish will be shallower and not so spooky, yet visibility is still good enough for them to see their prey and your bait. Many experts start a day of fishing by searching a clear lake or reservoir for an area that has some color.

Extremely muddy water is not good, however, since it almost eliminates a fish’s ability to see food. Only scent-feeding species like catfish and bullheads are active in muddy conditions.

Water Level

Water levels in fluctuate depending on rain, water discharges, and seasonal fluctuations. Rising water means either of two things: (1) In lakes and reservoirs, rising water covers new areas, making new food sources available. Many times fish scatter into newly flooded flats to feed. (2) In streams and rivers, rising water washes new food downstream, and stronger currents steer the food into predictable zones. So when the water starts rising, stream fish often move to feeding locations.

Dropping water has just the opposite effect. Fish pull back into or near deep areas. If the water drop is gradual. they may continue with near-normal feeding habits. But if the drop is fast, they will usually quit feeding until the level stabilizes.