Dissolved oxygen levels?

[98zr2]

My understanding is that the thermocline depth can vary on a lake especially when you have a wind driven current pushing water one direction pushing the thermocline down deeper

[roadrunner]

I had a fish biologist tell me that a fish can not live below the thermocline because there is not enough oxygen to support them. However he said I know you can catch fish below that depth which tells him they can go below this for short periods of time maybe 15 minutes maybe an hour he did not know but he did know that he has caught fish lower that the thermocline. My question is if they go down their why are their minnows living that deep? I don't think so are they going down becuse it is cooler and it lowers their metabolism and they will eat something if it is there (your jig). With that said you would think that fishing a foot above the thermocline would be the best fishing.

[artcarney_agr]

Maybe the fish goes down into the "dead zone" because he felt the vibrations of your bait down there and felt the need to check it out?

[TimE]

Maybe the fish goes down into the "dead zone" because he felt the vibrations of your bait down there and felt the need to check it out?

I agree with you and Roadrunner on this. Maybe thats why big worms and crankbaits work so good this time of year.

I have caught fish on a drop shot or spoon directly under the boat in 25' of water and in that case i believe that the fish were suspended above the T-cline and followed my bait down. Also read of people running over brushpiles with their big motor to spook the fish into them so they could key on them easier. Interesting subject!