09-21-2004, 05:32 PM
Elevation has a major influence on smallmouth. When comparing the smallmouth fisheries of the great lakes region specifically Minnesota, we are talking about lakes at an elevation around 1300 feet. In lakes at this low of an elevation, water temperatures warm quicker in the summer months allowing fry a longer growing season which is critical. Water temperatures are critical for smallmouth. Reservoirs at lower elevations in Utah have been good smallmouth fisheries because they allow for longer growing seasons. The key is water temperature. During the summer months, smallmouth in northern lakes (lakes in the Great Lakes region)are usually found at water temperatures from 67º to 71ºF and seldom at temperatures above 80º. But smallmouth in southern reservoirs are often found at temperatures of 78º to 84º. This difference can be explained by the fact that the deeper, cooler water in the reservoirs lacks sufficient oxygen in summer.
Laboratory tests have shown that smallmouth prefer a temperature of about 82ºF. But most of these tests were conducted using juvenile smallmouth, whose temperature preference is considerably higher than that of the adults.
During the cold months, smallmouth activity drops off. In laboratory studies, smallmouth fed very little at temperatures below 50ºF and lay motionless on the bottom at temperatures below 40º. In their natural surroundings, smallmouth respond to temperature in much the same way.
In other words, at Strawberry, where temperatures stay below 50 for much of the year, the bass will not grow.
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Laboratory tests have shown that smallmouth prefer a temperature of about 82ºF. But most of these tests were conducted using juvenile smallmouth, whose temperature preference is considerably higher than that of the adults.
During the cold months, smallmouth activity drops off. In laboratory studies, smallmouth fed very little at temperatures below 50ºF and lay motionless on the bottom at temperatures below 40º. In their natural surroundings, smallmouth respond to temperature in much the same way.
In other words, at Strawberry, where temperatures stay below 50 for much of the year, the bass will not grow.
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