Catching Post Turnover Smallmouths
Here in the Northwoods, we are fortunate to have a variety of inland fisheries that can be visited under a multitude of situations and conditions. Where lakes stratify in summer, October can be a tricky month to fish them because of turnover.
Turnover, the lake mixing stage, officially begins when water temperature is in the low 60s. Turnover is short, often lasting up to a week, but may sometimes be a prolonged process depending on climate and conditions. Cooling weather, water temps and wind are turnover’s driving forces. Following its completion, the lake becomes clear again.
To avoid the challenges of fall turnover, always fish ahead of it and behind it.
As smaller lakes turn over first, go to the biggest, deepest, largest lakes during that week.
When it's time for the biggest, deepest, largest lakes to turn themselves, revert back to the smaller lakes that have completed the process.
Or simply fish at places that didn't stratify altogether. You'll want to select flowages, rivers, drainage lakes and shallow lakes.
The severity of turnover also depends on summertime heat and whether or not thermoclines fully established. When s




















