How to Read Fall Bass Turnover in Northern Lakes

How to read fall bass turnover in northern lakes – with Kevin VanDam

Reading the schedule for turnover, and understanding water temps as well as depth will keep you catching bass in the fall. One thing to always avoid?

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How to Read Fall Bass Turnover in Northern Lakes

Fall turnover is a significant event that can greatly affect bass fishing in northern lakes. As cooler nights set in, the warmer water begins to cool, causing a lake to “flip” or experience turnover. This phenomenon disrupts fishing for a few days, as it changes the water’s composition, making it more challenging to catch bass.

What is Fall Turnover?

Turnover happens when the surface water cools and sinks, causing the deeper water to rise to the surface. This process can be easily identified by noticing bubbles coming up from the bottom and debris floating to the top. Shallow, weedy lakes experience this first, while deeper lakes turnover much later in the season.

How to Fish During Turnover

To have a successful fishing experience during this time, it’s crucial to understand when and where turnover is happening. Shallow lakes are affected by turnover first, while deeper lakes may not experience turnover until almost a month later.

For example, shallow lakes like Austin Lake, with an average depth of 5 feet, will flip quickly and be less of a concern. In contrast, deeper lakes like Gull Lake will turnover much later.

When planning your fishing trips, avoid shallow lakes during the early cold periods as they will turnover first. Instead, opt for deeper lakes, which will be unaffected during the early stages of fall.

Rivers and Flowing Water

Lakes connected to rivers or those with strong currents are less susceptible to turnover because the water movement helps prevent significant changes. In regions like Southwest Michigan, where many lakes are connected by rivers, the impact of turnover is minimized. Rainfall during the fall also helps mitigate turnover’s effects by keeping water moving.

Tips for Reading Fall Turnover

  1. Observe Weather Patterns: Cooler nights trigger turnover, so plan to fish in lakes less likely to experience rapid turnover.
  2. Choose Deeper Lakes: Focus on deeper lakes during the early fall, as they take longer to flip.
  3. Look for Rivers: Lakes with flowing water are less affected, making them good options during turnover.

By paying attention to the weather and the type of lakes you’re fishing, you can avoid the negative effects of fall turnover and improve your chances of catching bass during the season.

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