It’s true that the deeper the lake, from the surface to the bottom, the more range in temperature. Depending on the lake temperature, you will decide what lure, spoon or how deep you will fish. On a day when the water is warmer, fish may be closer to the surface than on a day where the wind is blowing and it is cooling down the surface water. During these conditions, the fish might be baited differently.

The warm surface is the top layer; the second is the thermocline or middle layer; the third layer is the most fished – where you will be most successful in catching; the bottom layer of the lake is the hypolimnion. 

Watch for rapidly increasing or decreasing levels in the lake; this can make a shift as to where the fish will be found. Sometimes they wander out of the ideal temperature when there are fluctuations in temperature.

Temperature Chart

These fish like temperature zones – watch your forecaster to get there at the peak time.

Black Bass – 68-75°
Smallmouth Bass – 65-70°
White Bass – 70-75°
Crappie – 68-80°
Bluegill – 68-80°
Channel Catfish – 68-75°
Muskellunge – 60-70°
Northern Pike – 50-70°
Walleye – 55-70°
White Perch – 65-60°
Yellow Perch – 55-70°
Brook trout – 55-70°
Brown trout – 55-70°
Lake trout – 45-55°
Rainbow trout – 60-70°