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Because trout are cold blooded water temperature is the most important factor in trout behavior. These changes can take place seasonally, daily, or even from one hour to the next. Also as water temperatures change so does its ability to hold oxygen. causing trout to move back and forth from fast riffles to deep pools.
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In mid winter as water temperatures fall into the lower 40's to higher 30's and oxygen saturation levels rise to 13 to 15 ppm. Brook and brown trout will move to slower water and begin to spawn. This is when you will notice females become tight lipped and unwilling to move while aggressive males jockey for position behind females. Rainbows on the other hand will stay in the currents and be on the hunt for eggs that get kicked up.
Once the fall spawn is over and the water temps drop into the mid 30's trout will move to deeper pools and away from the faster water. Holding in deeper water keeps trout safe from ice flows and icy bottoms. Also with oxygen levels at their highest at 15 to 17 ppm there is no need to expend energy in faster water.
In the spring as water temperatures start to rise back into the 40's the rainbows start their own spawning rituals. Oxygen levels drop back into the 10 to 13 ppm. Trout once again begin to move back into faster water in order to take advantage of spring insect hatches. Browns will begin to take cover in and around structure looking for young fry and may become more nocturnal in their feeding habits.
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Here's that chart I told you about
Seasonal
Range
|
Water
Temperature
|
Oxygen
Saturation
|
Holding
habitat
|
July- August
|
60 – 70
|
5 – 7 ppm
|
Fast Riffles
and oxygenated water like plunging pools |
September –
October
|
45 – 55
|
10 – 13 ppm
|
Back edge of
rifles. Runs and seams |
November –
February
|
32 – 45
|
13 – 15 ppm
|
Slow deep
seams and backs of deep pools |
March – April
|
40 – 50
|
10 – 13 ppm
|
Deep seems
and riffle edges |
May – June
|
50 – 60
|
8 – 10 ppm
|
River edges
and faster moving runs.
|
Of course there is some overlap on the seasons depending on where you live and how rapid these changes happen.
I hope this helps some of you out and next time your on the river and see trout all holding in different spots you'll know why.
See you on the trial,
Lance
Good Stuff. Really informative.
ReplyDeleteI just dropped in after reading about you on Feather chucker. I'll be dropping around because I've got a lot of friends out your way and hope to fish some of your gorgeous waters some day and besides...I love anyone who guides. You're all crazy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by guys. Cofisher, if you ever make it out this way I'll try to put you on some fish.
ReplyDeleteLance
ReplyDeleteExcellent information for someone like me that only gets to fish a tailrace for trout. I wish I live closer to a free flowing trout stream. Thanks for sharing with everyone
Really like this chart.
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