Fishing Frenzy

Every lake is unique; the results of a great number of long term environmental factors that shape its development and ultimately its fish population. A typical guide for fishermen is that on any lake 90% of the fish are found on 10% of the water. As the seasons pass , fish react due to the natural changes in their environment particularly the level of absorbed oxygen and water temperature. When a fisherman looks at an unfamiliar expanse of water, he sees only a featureless surface. So choosing a fishing location can be tricky because every lake is different, but nature does provide some clues to the observant angler that will improve the chances of choosing a time and a location when the fish will be present and biting.

Experienced fishermen routinely watch what is occurring around them hunting for these clues to help understand the mysteries of fish behavior. The seasonal activities of fish regularly correspond to the flowering of certain plants, bird migrations and other events. For example, white bass typically initiate spawning activities at the time when the dogwood trees start flowering. But this annual event may change as much as 3 weeks from one year to the subsequent year based on the timing of  Spring and the expected change in temperature. So arranging a fishing trip strictly by the calendar does not consistently find white bass on their spawning nests but waiting for the dogwoods to bloom improves the likelihood of being there at the right time. With that in mind many anglers keep a logbook of their observations to help them on future fishing trips.

Another example is too find hints of the fall turnover in a lake by studying a sudden decline in water clarity. Turnover is the natural way of re-oxygenating the water but it also stirs up the bottom of the lake producing floating waste and drastically increasing turgidity. Oxygen levels will decrease for a short period and the fish typically turn off from feeding and scatter across the lake from surface to bottom. This situation typically lasts from 1-2 weeks, but when the turn is done, oxygen levels rise swiftly and the now hungry fish begin to feed again heralding in some of the finest angling of the year.

Experienced anglers are always alert for the signs of fish activity and keep a lookout for crappies building their nests, big bass or pike feeding in the shallows or bait fish dimpling the calm surface of a quiet bay. Polarized sunglasses help catch more fish thru their the facility to eliminate glare so the angler can see through the surface of the water and find it easier to identify these activities.

Whether fishing from a boat, or from the shore or exploring the water with chest waders, there are numerous natural clues which can often be invaluable to all fishermen. The facility to identify and act on these natural events is what distinguishes the great angler from the average one and nearly always leads to catching more fish.