Fall 2010

Looks like the summer of 2010 is fast coming to a close. Lots of good fishing left though. Been kind of a strange summer -- turned pretty hot in June and stayed that way as of today. I do the water quality measurements in the lake -- and, believe me, the surface water temperatures have been about the highest I've recorded in 13 years. Surface temps to 5 feet have been in the 80s since late June. Last year, in comparison, temps only ran in the mid 70s.

However, noticed rather strange phenomena this summer. The temperature in the deeper water has actually been cooler! Looks like a very strong thermocline (a rapid change in temperature) has formed about 12-14 feet down and has remained there all summer. The temperature below the thermo has been in the 60s. What this means to fishermen is -- the fish have stacked up around the thermocline, especially in the deep water areas of the lake.

Checking the fish finder over the deep water will show some pretty large fish. This summer I've been having my luck for pan fish fishing at 12-14 feet. Many times I've picked up a limit in an hour or so fishing this depth with wax worms.

The bass fishing has been very good this summer. I've noticed several 20 inch plus fish being caught. The largest I've gotten was 22 inches. I think Doug Glasgow also caught a 22 inch a few days later!

Many fishermen have told of getting 10-12 inch redear sunfish and a few bluegills over 10 inches. The redears seem to be doing very well reproducing in this lake. Where do all the perch go? Lots of small perch (and a few 8-10 inchers) were caught during the winter and early spring -- but I've not seen one since! The crappie seem to be very sparse. I usually catch a few fishing for bluegills, but this summer I don't think I caught a single one. Walleye were commonly caught in the spring, but have slowed down. They should pick up again when the water cools this fall. I did notice a picture of a 29-inch walleye at the Somerset bait shop that was caught on Lake Somerset. With all the walleyes we've stocked over the years, we should have some pretty good ones around for the taking.

Haven't heard too much on the pike since the weather got warm.

And the channel catfish -- these guys are all over -- and are getting big. I came in from walleye fishing the other night and had a leech on a jig. While getting my stuff out of the boat, I tossed out the jig and a large cat grabbed it. After about a 15-minute fight, I brought in a 30-inch fish that I would guess weighed 13-14 pounds easily. These fish really put up a scrap when you hook them! I've read in the In-Fisherman magazine that the fish with the highest IQ are catfish and carp (This was determined by researchers who study these things!). Interesting -- and I bet most of you thought a bass or a walleye were smarter?

With all the rain and warmth this summer -- I've noticed the "anti-weed complainers" have been much more vocal. You need to realize this weather grows aquatic vegetation faster than normal -- and the clearer water as the result of the zebra mussels also allows the vegetation to grow deeper than normal. This all means more weeds!

We stocked about a 1,000 pike fingerlings (6-10 inches) in June of this year. We also plan on stocking about 1,000 walleye fingerlings this fall. If you catch any of these -- make sure they are 24 inches long for pike, and 15 inches for walleye. Good fishing to all!

George Rausch