Cooling Water and Falling Levels Keep Fish Moving

Rough River entered November near 483 feet with the surface temperature in the mid-60s. As the lake cools and begins mixing, oxygen becomes more evenly distributed and fish are no longer confined to the same summer depth range. That can spread fish throughout more of the water column and make their depth change from day to day.

At the same time, the winter drawdown is removing shallow shoreline cover. Crappie are shifting toward brush and standing timber near river and creek-channel edges, often suspending above the bottom and changing depth as the water falls.

Bass are following shad and using secondary points, channel swings and steeper banks that provide quick access to deeper water. Hybrid and white bass may roam main-lake points, flats and nearby channel edges as they follow schools of baitfish. Catfish also tend to move toward upper-river areas and main-lake river bends during the fall drawdown.

During fast-changing conditions, expect fish to move more and the bite to vary. A hot spot from last week may no longer be productive.