Over the past year I have fished for bluegill, crappie, catfish, sauger, trout and muskie. Many of these trips were on larger lakes or rivers but a large percentage of my fishing time is spent on smaller streams where I target my favorite query, smallmouth bass. Over the years, I can’t tell you the number of times I arrived at one of these streams to find a major thunderstorm somewhere upstream had just turned the crystal-clear creek into muddy water. When I am fishing larger lakes and in a boat, I generally have a wider selection of gear to compensate for unfavorable conditions. On lakes, you don’t have to worry about dangerously high water, just muddy or stained water.
But you might say, “what is muddy?” If my count is correct, I have now fished in 35 states and counting. What I have learned about muddy water is this, not everyone’s definition is the same. On top of that, too muddy or just right depends on what of type of fishing or which species you are fishing for and no matter what you call the water in front of you, muddy, murky or clear, there are a few basic rules that seem to work, all of which should help you choose the correct strategies for a successful trip.
Then we also have to deal with what some would call “stained water.” Stained water in lakes is typically caused by a combination of natural and environmental factors that reduce water clarity. Like muddy water, one common cause is runoff from rainfall, which washes soil, organic matter, and sediments into the lake, especially from surrounding farmland, construction sites, or eroded shorelines. Algae blooms can also give the water a green or brown tint. In some regions, natural tannins from decaying leaves and vegetation—especially in heavily wooded or swampy areas—can cause a tea-colored stain. Wind and boat traffic may also stir up bottom sediments, further contributing to the murky appearance.
Richard Hines
Turbidity, or is it Muddy or Murky?
After any large rain event, streams and lakes can become muddy or specifically turbid. Turbidity refers to cloudiness and/or clarity of the water which is caused by particles suspended in the water column. Following large rain events, increased turbidity is more than likely due to silt, clay and other materials as they are being transported down the river, but turbidity can also occur during late summer, particularly when water levels are at their lowest levels. In this case the cloudy water can be caused by algae, plankton and even in some instances excessive mosquito larvae suspended in the water. With that many mosquitoes, remind me to fish somewhere else!
In many cases, it’s a good bet that muddy water will have been accompanied by frontal patterns and a changing barometer. Regardless, when it’s time to fish, you have to go, and no one knows this better than professional anglers. Their goal is to win and how they approach these situations varies. As you might have guessed there are some differing opinions, but one rule of thumb remains true “the darker/dirtier the water the brighter the bait, the clearer the water, the darker the bait.” You may have heard this but like a lot of anglers I have broken this rule on more than one occasion. On one trip, I told my fishing partner, “I think I will try my hunter orange theory” and he asked what is that? Well think about how well a hunter wearing orange is visible across a field on cloudy days. I can’t remember if it worked or not but, in any case, it doesn’t hurt to experiment.
Ron Stallings, PR and Marketing Director for Road Runner Lures said “when it comes to muddy, semi clear, or tea-stained waters, a lot of folks will use something that provides contrast such as black and chartreuse or lures with white and chartreuse. These colors provide contrast which gives the fish something to target.” Additionally, lures with red hooks, red eyes or maybe a red dot under the lip may seem inconsequential, but this bit of red is usually enough to stimulate a strike. The contrasting colors get the fish’s attention while the added touch of red helps a reluctant fish make the final strike.
Anytime you are fishing in muddy or dark water, contrast is needed but more importantly lures with profiles that are darker than the surrounding water is a good option. During high turbidity it seems logical that a bright color might be the trick to attracting fish and on some days, this works but many pros seem to be sticking with a dark, contrasting color.
Another point to remember, the muddier the water the less light penetration you have. Long time bass and crappie angler and co-host of the Larry Rea Outdoors Radio Show in Memphis, Ron Wong said, “The muddier the water, the shallower you should fish.” In other words, if you are fishing over brush piles in 12 to 15-feet of water, you should begin by fishing the top 2 to 3 feet. Wong added, “it is always about light penetration and all bait fish tend to remain in the upper section where light is the brightest.” Another point to remember, most species of fish don’t like muddy water and baitfish like muddy water even less.
Mossy Oak
Keep the Box Full of Colors and Noisemakers
It’s true with any fish but especially with crappie, you will need a tackle box with a wide range of colors. Even fishing the same brush pile, you will find as you are searching out the correct depth, you may use numerous colors before you find the right pattern. As you are working down, start with the lighter and brighter colors near the surface where there is good light penetration, but as you move down remember that as light decreases switch to lures with more contrast and darker colors.
Bass anglers may need to tie on baits that provide added noise, chatter baits, spinner baits and buzz baits. All will stimulate a strike and concentrate on shallow water where bass have moved during muddy conditions. Bass move into these areas where bait fish are spending time. If these baits are unsuccessful, consider crankbaits such as Strike Kings KVD series with rattles or flipping jigs. Blakemore manufactures several lures that should be in your tackle box. Randy’s Swim-N-Runner and the Yuk Runner which has a wide tail and blade that displaces enough water to get the attention of a bass regardless of visibility. Crappie anglers who prefer casting should try Blackemore’s Slab Spanker and Crappie Tamer. Each provides different profiles.
While colors and profiles are important, the next variable has nothing to do with muddy water. It is the sky above you. When you have blue bird sky days, there is usually a high-pressure weather system. During these systems, small baits and slower presentations may be the right choice. Wong said, “When fish are becoming more active during pre-front or post-front weather systems, larger baits seem to work a little better. Remember, the denser the clouds, the less light penetration in the water.” He also emphasized that if your water is clear, plan on fishing deeper, and during an approaching cold front, fish generally move into cover and stay there.” Another interesting item he has noticed over the years is that baits with purple may be the best color all around for both crappie and bass.
Richard Hines
The Intensity of Muddy Water Determines Which Depth to Fish
Sitting here I have no way to tell you exactly how muddy the water at your fishing location is. You need to do this. If you have fished a particular stream or lake for several years, you already have a good idea of what constitutes heavy mud verses light mud.
In any case, in dirty water, move slower! Both Wong and Stallings agree that you want the fish to find you. Wong adds scent to his lures during heavy mud and said, “If you are a crappie angler, Crappie Magnet does just what it says, bringing in fish that may be reluctant to move that extra few inches to your bait. Although most types of scents are associated with catfish, trout species, or walleye, bass anglers can also get an extra boost with a scent called Thump Gel. All can increase success in heavily mudded waters.
Location of mud verses clear water is also a key factor. Watch for creeks flowing into lakes and any changes in water clarity around the lake. We used to key in on muddy banks for walleye and smallmouth bass after a weekend of heavy boat traffic. Every small point along the lake had a narrow strip of ‘new mud’ that attracted fish. Those muddy banks essentially become feeding lanes after a busy weekend. The increased boat traffic stirs up sediment, dislodging invertebrates and smaller baitfish, which in turn attracts predators like walleye and smallmouth bass. Those narrow strips of “new mud” act like temporary buffets, especially along points where current or boat wake concentrates the debris.
Smallmouth will cruise the edges looking for disoriented bait, and walleye often slide up shallower than usual in low-light periods to take advantage of the chaos. A subtle jig or finesse presentation—especially something mimicking a struggling baitfish or worm—can be deadly in those conditions.
Dealing with Clear Water
After fishing a muddy body of water, you might think clear water would be perfect, but you still need to adjust tactics. Most importantly when fishing clear water, consider weather fronts. For instance, if you are fishing a cold front or if conditions have been relatively stable for a few days, slow your retrieves, even in clear water. When conditions return to normal pick up the speed of your retrieve. Don’t only look at the water, but the conditions in the sky above you.
You can’t talk about fishing muddy water without mentioning the muddy water specialist, catfish. For many years, some anglers looked down on catfish but with specialized gear and boats, not to mention tournaments and guide services producing trophy catfish, they have moved up in the ranks.
Of all the fish, catfish seem to care the least about heavy turbidity. Eric Cummins, Kentucky Southwestern District Fisheries Biologist said, “While all the sight feeders such as bass, crappie, or muskie are looking for transition zones to wait out the muddy conditions, catfish are strapping on their feed bags and are on the move.” Catfish are one of the best adapted fish for muddy conditions due to highly developed sensors. Like all fish, they have a lateral line. It’s just not as noticeable on catfish as in other species.
The lateral line in all fish is an important sensor but catfish contain an extra group of sensory receptors. The entire body of a catfish is comprised of chemoreceptors and these along with their barbels (aka whiskers) are loaded with taste buds. And don’t let those little beady eyes fool you. Although their eyes seem relatively small, they have large light sensitive retinas that allow them to navigate in almost zero visibility. During muddy conditions, many species of gamefish slow down their activity primarily due to the gills having difficulty processing oxygen. While under normal conditions and respiration, catfish only use about sixty percent of their gill surfaces. However, under stress such as high turbidity, they are capable of increasing respiration by using 100% of gill capacity.
One final note, clear water and slightly stained water seemed to be the preference of most anglers while the sight of muddy water has turned many an angler toward the house. You can catch fish in muddy water. The key is fishing slowly, using baits that vibrate or make some level of noise and keep a wide range of colors on hand—and remember, considering scents, they are not just for catfish anymore.
