Flooding

[Streamer]

I've been following the flooding in northern Indiana over the last few days. First, I'm sorry for everyone who has suffered from it. I know many have lost their homes, property, and a few...their lives. I can't believe the water levels below the Oakdale dam.
Since this is a fishing forum, I thought I'd ask a question that I've always been curious about. How does a massive flood with swift waters, like the Tippe, effect the future fishing? Let's say when the waters recede and the river goes back to normal pool. Are the fish capable of staying in the area or are they swept downstream only to have to find their way back?

[riverrat12]

From what I have experienced , I Know alot of fish will use the flooded areas to feed. During snagging season when the rivers are out of there banks I have caught several spieces in flooded pastures and road ways. Worms, grubs and many other insects that are in a larva state are easy pray for fish scouring the newly flooded areas. I fish your southern border i.e. the Ohio river and find many fish way back in creek systems normally to shallow during the summer month for fish to get to. The fish are there, they to just want to get out of the main stem of the river for obvious reasons. That being said one problem I had in the past was during the flood of the Ohio back in I believe 98,the top water bite for striper disappeared for some reason,I still catch them deep and below the dams and hydro's but nothing like they where before the flood.I don't know if this had anything to do with it but that is the only thing I found that was different. I'm still tring to figure this one out. Hope this helps. gotta cook Chuck.

[Moose1am]

Not really sure where all the fish go. But I do know that there is more friction at the bottom of the river and along the banks that there is out in the middle of the river channel. Friction between the river bottom and the water slows the water down at that interface. The center of the river channel both vertically and horizontally is where you get the fastest flow rate.

Now when the river is out of his channel or banks it spreads out over the surrounding lands and slows down. River water has to travel farther along the OUTSIDE bend so it must go faster on the outside bend. The water that flows across an INSIDE BEND does not have as far to travel to get around the bend so it's going slower. The inside bend is where you will get deposits of silt under normal conditions.

Oxbow lakes are formed during times of high water flooding as they may wash a new channel cut though a long peninsula.

I would think that if the rains all fell up north then the creeks down south will not have much flow in them going to the river. But the river can back up into these creeks providing the fish a place to rest and feed out of the flood water's currents.

Another thing to remember when you fish muddy water. The bottom water's may be clearer than the surface waters. The same friction at the very bottom of the river that slows down the current also helps the water drop it's sediment out and that way the bottom waters are more clear.

I read that somewhere and believe it to be true. Gravity and the attraction of the bottom for the particles suspended in the waters will help clear the bottom water faster. I think that there are some physical forces in action between the bottom on the lake and the particles suspended in the water.

[riverrat12]

Moose, I see your from southern Ind. do you ever fish the falls ?and if so did you see a change in the striper bite below Mcalpine after the 98? flood. Chuck..