Deceptive Water Temperatures

[West Basin]

Until late May to mid June surface water temperatures will usually not be the same as bottom temperatures. The surface may be 44 degrees but the bottom temperature could be 39 degrees. The Western Basin has a thermocline in the spring and often early summer. Just a reminder that your graph or fish finder water temperature is most likely not the bottom water temperature where the walleye are. If you want a true water temperature bring along a water temperature or waterproof thermometer and drop it down to the bottom. You might find more and more active fish in an area with a little warmer bottom temperature, especially on the reefs and near shore areas as the water will mix better and faster there in the shallower water.