What temperature do trout start to die?
- This topic has 8 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated Aug 2, 2012 at 9:58 pm by
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I wish the Army corps of engineers and SW Power would generate with at least one full unit for at least 12 hours just one day so the Little Red River would cool down and the O2 levels would go up.
It depends on the breed and the strain.
I know there is a strain of brown trout used in “some” Wisconsin trout streams by the WI DNR that can tolerate higher water temperatures, even up to 80 degrees. Brook trout are the least tolerant and generally move way up the small, cooler feeder brooks if accessible.
The browns are wild and in the warm water temps will seek cooler waters and springs and literally stack up like logs. Fishing for them in really warm water temps can really add to the stress and may even kill them a while after being released. Many of us Wisconsin FF’ers turn to smallies during the heat of the summer months and leave the trout alone.
BTW, we are having a record heat wave in the Upper Midwest this year and it is taking a toll on all the wildlife…
The heat and the drought have put wildlife under a lot of stress.
There have been reports of birds and fish dying in Wisconsin’s heat wave.
It’s something they’re keeping a close eye on at the Urban Ecology Center.
Department of Natural Resources crews have discovered at least 40 dead birds within the Horicon Marsh — with tens of thousands of dead fish.
The cause of death: Botulism.
For article… http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/162420796.html
By the way, here’s an excellent summary by Scott Branyan about the minimum flow scenario in Arkansas and all the politics that went into getting it.
http://www.flyflinger.com/minflow.php
He’s a Beaver Tailwater guide so he comments some on that fishery. The hatchery there was approved under Sen. John Boozman (who’s from Rogers), but then the economic crisis hit and it was never funded.
Here’s the current status per Scott:
“The Corps of Engineers and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission signed the final partnership agreement the end of 2011. AGFC has been relocating some of the park facilities that will be affected on the lake side of Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes. The Corps has been installing the siphon through Norfork dam the spring of 2012. Capture and release of minimum flow is expected later this year. Bull Shoals will begin minimum flow sometime soon afterward.”
I’m not sure if the minimum flow valves have been opened on either Norfork or Bull Shoals yet. They should make those much better float fisheries since you won’t stall out nearly as much in the long stretches (there will still be a lot of paddling there though).
Edit: Looks like Norfork’s minimum flow should be turned on this October, with Bull Shoals coming after:
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20120703/NEWS01/307030010/Norfork-minimum-flow-siphon-tested
The Norfork siphon cost $58M!
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