With summer water temperatures rising well into the 70s, what are the water temperatures that you definately will not fish for: Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout. IMHO, we, in this part of NY State will have to rely on self policing to give the fish a break!
In the early 60s, I remember reading about a gentleman (I think that it was in Oregon) studying the effects of temperature and oxygen levels on Trout. As I remember it he wanted to see what the fish could tolerate with a eye toward actually raising the tolerance level of the fish. Its been a long time since but I think his method was to slowly raise the temperature at various oxygen levels keeping track of these data for analysis and observing the effect on the fish. The first stressed were removed from the sample and the last were allowed to spawn and the progeny had the same experament done on them. The hope was that a race of fish would evolve that was more warm water tolerant.
I don’t know the results and never heard any more of it. anyone know?
68F (20C) for browns and rainbows, maybe 65F if I know there’s brookies around, maybe a bit higher if there’s something like a nearbly waterfall or rapids that puts some extra oxygen into the water. Even though trout can certainly tolerate higher temperatures, the added stress of being caught is just too much for reliable survival.
And yes, it’s probably too much to expect people to voluntarily restrict their fishing. Sad to say, greed and the “me first” attitude usually prevails.
I give the fish a break when the water temps are around 70 degrees at dawn.
Also, one thing to keep in mind is peak temperature. Many creeks will cool down to the low 60’s over night, but peak in the mid 70’s the following day. In such cases the fish survive fairly well. I feel the real trouble is when nightime air temps keep the water warm for the entire day, like 70 degrees at day break.
I think the best way to find out how your fish are doing is to get some water temperature readings throughout the day.
If the temperature stays under 70 until late afternoon, your trout are probably doing ok.
Grsd…
Thats about what I base my fishin’ or not on. But Rainbows are supposed to be able to withstand higher temps than Browns. I think that fishers are becoming more sportsmanlike now and I hope that the trend continues. It wasn’t long ago that very few even knew or much less cared about returning fish in warm conditions.
Penn.
Kev.
70 degrees at dawn sounds like a poor day to me. Did you possibly mean 60 degrees at dawn? With any rise in temps during that day I would expect fish would be having a tough go of it unless its a rollicking bubbling mountain stream.