How does dam discharge affect where you start looking for bass? I hear of people starting in lower end (near the dam), mid lake or upper end. Why and when do you make these decisions based on what you see from the discharge info?

I like fishing right below the dam! 

8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I like fishing right below the dam! 

Concentration of oxygen, nutrients and baitfish.

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

Concentration of oxygen, nutrients and baitfish.

And it corrals any fish, they can’t jUmp over it baha

Here in MN, the only open season right now for gamefish is along the border waters.  Pool 4 near Red Wing is an extremely popular spot until inland water gamefish season opens in May.  People have been cooped up all winter and when we get a 50 or 60 degree day, there are hundreds of boats stacked up near the dam by pool 4, primarily targeting walleyes and saugers.  I've been there a couple times and its bumper boats.  Last week we had our first 50 degree day of spring and I'm sure it was a zoo out there.  Its so busy that there is a pontoon out there that sells pizza, brats, hot dogs, and hamburgers right off his grill.  He charges like 10 bucks for a ball park hot dog and people still pay it lol

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

He charges like 10 bucks for a ball park hot dog and people still pay it lol

"Captive audience"

 

They don't want to lose their spot, and forgot to bring lunch...so ya, they'll pay it.

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

"Captive audience"

 

They don't want to lose their spot, and forgot to bring lunch...so ya, they'll pay it.

Ball park prices haha

If I'm fishing above the dam, I target the rip-rap looking for slower areas of current. If I'm fishing below the dam, which I prefer, I look for anything that breaks the current, or current seams. This is providing the dam is pulling water.

I'm fishing a pretty small reservoir, 3,300 acres. There is no lake below the dam, just a creek so I am referring to fishing the reservoir above the dam. How does this discharge affect the lake was what I was originally trying to ask. 

If they are pulling enough water to drop the water level a few feet, I won't fish super shallow as I feel like the fish will retreat a bit to deeper water. Other than that, and especially on larger reservoirs, I don't pay an incredible amount of attention to it as I tend to believe there are other environmental factors that play a bigger role. I mean, if there is current from it, it is definately considered, but no more than the wind, blue bird or cloudy skies, etc... It's definately not a "they are releasing water, I MUST fish by the dam" kind of thing.

If there is current largemouth  bass should  be positioned down-side of cover . I have got on them a few times by fishing the down current side of points , lower lake area . I speculate  the upper lake would be the same way .

15 hours ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

I'm fishing a pretty small reservoir, 3,300 acres. There is no lake below the dam, just a creek so I am referring to fishing the reservoir above the dam. How does this discharge affect the lake was what I was originally trying to ask. 

The obvious answer is that it generates current and that, in turn, will increase feeding activity.  If you know where cover is, LM will position themselves on the down current side. 
the closer to the dam, the stronger the current and the possibility of eddies. In that scenario, fish it like a river. 
Hope that answers your question. 

On 3/21/2022 at 7:49 AM, roadwarrior said:

Concentration of oxygen, nutrients and baitfish.

On the flipside, sometimes the topside of a dam provides good structure.