Why is high water year good for fishing?

[catchinon]

My wife and I were discussing the amount of precipitation we are getting this year. We know it is good for our pasture but enough is enough. She asked me why more water this year is good for fishing. I gave her an answer that I wasn't very happy with. Can somebody help me out with the details?
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[PBH]

my dad, who is a retired fisheries biologist, always likes to say: "fish like water"
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Several positive outcomes.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]1. Increased nutrients washed into the water. More oxygen and other elements for the food chain.
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[#0000FF]2. Flooded brush and rocks for improved spawning and nursery habitat for hatchlings. Also increases bottom structure for fishing.
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[#0000FF]3. Flushing downstream of contaminants built up during low water periods.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]4. Higher water levels reduce potential for muddying the water during windy periods.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]5. Helps stabilize water temperatures. Less fluctuation in deeper lakes.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]6. Easier boat launching and fewer shallow spots to damage watercraft.[/#0000FF]
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[wormandbobber]

It's not. Lots of water isn't necessarily good for fishing, but it is generally good for fish. Increased water and increased nutrients can actually make fish tougher to catch because they have more food sources.

Also, too much water--flooding--can also be bad for fish and potentially even wipe out fish populations. Stream drainages where wildfires burned last year could end up being killed because of the extra ash and silt dumped into streams and reservoirs could also be negatively impacted by the increased ash, silt, and nutrients dumped into them from runoff over barren burnt up ground.

Generally, though, fish like water and the amount of water we are getting is a great thing for fish and fishing.
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[doggonefishin]

[quote TubeDude][#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]2. Flooded brush and rocks for improved spawning and nursery habitat for hatchlings.
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For those species depending on natural reproduction, this one is the biggest. Good water years will result in superior spawning success and strong year classes. This has a ripple effect on the fishery for several years down the road.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]The positive aspects of this are evident in most waters. However, there are potential downsides.
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[#0000FF]One of the negatives of high water is that there is more water for the same number of fish...initially. So the fish are liable to be harder to find. This is especially so when we are used to finding them in more open water...without cover...and then they move into the newly flooded shoreline vegetation.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]That is a good thing on Utah Lake...with only a few areas of brush and reeds. But it has proven to frustrate crappie fishermen on Willard. When Willard's water levels rise enough to flood rocks and cover all around the lake the small population of crappie are much harder to locate. However, if you can find them they are like crappies everywhere...suckers for a jig presented vertically in their new living room.
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[catchinon]

Stream drainages where wildfires burned last year could end up being killed because of the extra ash and silt dumped into streams

Like Diamond Fork.
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[fsh4fun05]

I love the challenge of having more water and the same amount of fish. I agree 100% with the spawning factor and flooded brush for young of the year to hide in. I'll struggle this spring for better fishing next spring and be ok with that.
I just got back from Powell. My map had me going over bluffs that were 80+ out of the water so I hope it continues to go up there also.
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