St.Clair smallmouth

[stcroix]

IF the lake is really stained or muddy, does it affect the bite.  I'm from these highland res like Dale hollow Where muddy water helps with the bite.  This is my 2nd trip up.  This time we are staying for 7 days.  Any info would greatly help.

[djkimmel]

It can be tougher right after the water gets muddy, but they always start eating and someone always finds them. It can change a lot daily in the spring. Depends on the wind direction and how long it blows the same direction. Going up or down the lake a few miles can make a big difference too. Lots of current and normally an very fast complete water exchange of a week or less for the entire lake.

[Got Fish??]

 Yes it effects the bite. Windy days up here in clear water also effect the bite. The reflection of the water on the bottom of the lake gives great cover for pereditor fish, to move in shallow. Or to move in on flats. These are fish that normolly would not be there on a high sky or on flat water day.

[Mojo]

Unfortunately,... What we have here ...... Is a failure to communicate.  Muddy for you down south means chocolate up here. Stained down south is muddy here, and clear water for you is stained here !!

The smallies here are used to 4 - 10 ft visual and even 15 ft ! So chocolate will shut em down. Like Dan said, you'll run a few miles and see a distinct change in clarity, that's where you throw tubes or cranks.

Stained water is good in the rivers, but the smallies really prefer clearer waters on the main lake.

Clarity Plays a lesser but just as important role as a firm / rocky bottom.

[josh617]

some of those lakes like dale hallow and norris get gin clear like 15ft+ in the summertime, so we' re not the only ones with clear water. Like everyone has said the dirty water up here tends to shut them down for a few days.