The Cayuga Fisher

Limnology 101:  Know your Lake!

Understanding Water Movement in Cayuga Lake

The larger Finger Lakes belong to a group of temperate deepwater lakes that undergo summer stratification and winter isothermal periods.  Limnology is the thorough study of lakes, from the flora and fauna to water movements, lakeshore geology, and pollution.  These pages focus on Cayuga Lake (though it nearly all applies throughout the area), with the basics of water movement and how it relates to popular sport fish.  Topics include stratification, seiche waves, currents, the Coriolis Effect, the truth about "turnovers", and much more!  Understanding how and why water moves will make you a better fisherman.

• Seasonal Variations:  The Lake Through the Year
• Stratification Details
• The Thermocline in Depth
• The Isothermal (Mixing) Period
• So where are all the fish?
• Wind Driven Water:  Wind, Currents, and Seiche Waves
• The Coriolis Effect-  What is it?
• The Coriolis Effect-  Currents, Seiches, and Water Movement
• Other Phenomenon:  Langmuir streaks and Kelvin waves
• Lake Basin Morphology
• Resources and References