Fall Turnover in Lake, When?

I am planning a much needed trip to Lake Nipissing this October.
....I know that water column turnover depends on water temps, but just wondering from everyone's experience, when that typically happens on Lady Nip.
...is it safer to book something early in October or late October?
...does it usually happen before or after Thanksgiving?

I know that walleye season is closed late October, so we would probably concentrate on Musky.

..Appreciate everyone's feedback!!

There is some good information on the fall turn over at the link below. I have not tested the temperature in a while but I think it has been cooler this late summer than last year.

https://www.lakesimcoeoutdoors.com/forums/i...topic=40843&hl=

Neil

I was in Callander Bay a few days ago and the surface temp was 61°. I don't have a temp probe to check the temps at different depths.

Hey Neil, surface water temps are running at about 62F out on the main lake right now...and dropping steadily.
As was discussed in the previous years post you attached...once surface water temps start to get below 55F...the fall turnover usually gets under way on Nippising.
I've seen it happen as early as the end of September or as late as the beginning of November. More often then not, near us, when fall turnover's been physically evident...it's been early to mid October. Sometimes, the only real physical indication of fall turnover...is the lowered water temps.
It's really dependent on the declining fall air temps and nearly as much on the number of larger wind events that occur throughout the autumn.
Big wind events aid the rapidly cooling, oxygen rich, denser and consequently sinking surface water to mix more readily with the rest of the water column.
And normally turnover can happen at different times across the lake...generally deeper areas go later, shallower areas can go earlier, if at all, as shallow sections of the lake are often getting their waters mixed regularly by winds throughout the open water period...with little to no summer thermal stratification occurring.
And it can happen fast...fish can be in their summer locations one day...on the move and scattered the next.
But the fall 'turnover' fish movement usually doesn't last too long. They'll settle into their late fall patterns and locations pretty quick.
If you're seeing possible evidence of the fall turnover in your area...ie the surface debris or the water colour changes that can accompany this annual event...search, move...look for the bait fish schools...and if you find fish, work the area over good...there's generally more there.
Keep in mind the FMZ 11 sport angling regulations for Nipissing...walleye and yellow perch fishing is done for the year after Oct 15th...muskie, pike and both bass species, Nov 30th.
Good fall fishing everyone...some of the biggest trophies of the season are again reachable and catchable during the fall fishing season on the lake.

Grumpa is a walking encycopidia on this lake! Thanks for the additional info!
That along with the weather buoy info on the lake should give you an idea when this will be happening. Link below.
https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=45152

Neil

Thanks, guys, for the excellent advise!