algae bloom fishing

[RAW]

I got asked today what i did to catch fish when an algae bloom was happening. my response was I went to a different lake. Does anyone out here have some good advice to pass on??

The lake in question is Erie in PA waters. due to size of boat, rnning away from the bloom is not an option.

any help???

Rich

[Klaas Act - Rich Ziert]

Actually an algae bloom is beneficial. Food chain stuff. Plankton eat algae. Little fish eat Plankton. Big fish eat little fish. Find the path of wind over the last several days and the other water current if any. Keep in mind that wind can be the cause of the current - at least on the surface. The bloom will also cause water temp to go up, and light penetration to not go as deep as without the bloom. If you can, Follow the leading edge of the bloom, and make forays deeper and deeper laterally into that edge. Also remember algae blooms create not only the same thing as stained water, it provides a semblance of shadow. Brighter lures with maybe some noise will work best. Keep in mind that plankton move up and down depending on the available light. Some plankton has the ability to even move where they want to go.

In all that we do on the water we should constantly be on the lookout for current, shade, change, and the things that cause same.

Moving water is widely known as a situation where feeding is frequent and activity levels are increased for prey and predator. In all types of water the effect of wind and current creates visual and sound turbulence on several levels. This same turbulence creates a certain camouflage, dappled or flicker texture, to light penetration and sound resonance. In clear water the light effect reaches deeper. In stained water the sight trigger can be overtaken by sound. In this mottled environment, prey and predator are able to move around more undetected in search of food.

Experience tells us to look for underwater turbulence, low light surroundings, or change, to find other situational feeding triggers. Transition edges, like those of top water mornings, bottom content changes, those bumps, holes, and channel curves,, and even seasonal differences, as in suspended forage should be what we are after.

[KLN2 ul]

Fishing during an algae bloom can make for some great fishing. Look for the fish to move around more while feeding with a canopy of algae. Walleye will even move into their night-time feeding patterns, including moving up shallow.

A person does not have to change your lure selection during an algae bloom. In fact, you're better off not changing to a different lure selection during these conditions.

[Klaas Act - Rich Ziert]

For another look, refer to:

http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/phytoplankton/primer/components_phyto.jsp

[Raybob]

>Fishing during an algae bloom can make for some great
>fishing. Look for the fish to move around more while feeding
>with a canopy of algae. Walleye will even move into their
>night-time feeding patterns, including moving up shallow.
>
>A person does not have to change your lure selection during an
>algae bloom. In fact, you're better off not changing to a
>different lure selection during these conditions.

10-4 Kln2 - on many sunshine days I wait till after hi-noon to go out when the a-bloom is strong over my nite-time humps & slam the krap out of the daytime Eyes... the a-bloom bite starts to fall-off when the water temp hits 75-80 degrees on the main lake here in Central Ohio.

da old fart,
Bebob da I-Bobray

[Backwater Eddy]

One of the best crankbaits I have found for lakes that host blooms is the Gold and Black Salmo Hornet.

Depending on depths desired, the #5 and #6 Hornet will go where you need to go. From 5' to 12' in the 5, to down to 23' in the #6.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson
"ED on the RED"
><,sUMo,>

"I would rather go fishing and think of GOD, Then go to church, and think of FISHING"

*Grandpa Art Carlson*

[Phil T]

When I lived at Devils Lake and fished lots of algae blooms, I would tie a small swivel a couple feet above the lure, and run a leader to the lure.
The real purpose of the swivel was to provide a place to stick a round toothpick crosswise to the line. The toothpick picked up a lot of the algae before it got to the lure.
It's by no means perfect, but it does help.

[Raybob]

-thought I'd post this tidbit ~ one to six PM in the late spring/early summer is prime-time on my home waters...

"The algae bloom you spoke of, how does one know when that will take place"


It happens everyday when the sun is out brite & peaks in the mid afternoon -it's very important to me in May & June for the day-bite before the summer dogday water temps puts the eyez down till sunset. IL will have clear green water in the morn' to a yellow/brown tint color in mid afternoon which rings the dinner bell for them to move into skinny water & chow-down...

[Raybob]

cjbrown -here's some info

[cjbrown]

Thank you.

[Raybob]

CJB ~ I just wish my home lake had your home lake's depth ~ it would be 'kool if the sUMo's would be active in the "daytime" this time of year...

Hang a Hog, Not a Smelt :)