Blog

March 10, 2010
A quick word on water temp and fish behavior
Since the question has come up quite a bit lately here is our always scientific theory on early season snowmelt and how it affects fish.

We will be the first to tell you that fishing generally is the best between 11 and 3 (hopefully that is an obvious blanket statement).
  The reason for the time span is as plain as water temperatures.  When you still have freezes in the evening the water temperature starts out at sunrise as quite cold, say mid 30's.  As the sun hits the water it begins to warm that water up quite a bit, when the sun is at its highest angle (from ballpark 10 to 3) it warms the water up the most.  The temperature climbs from the mid 30s to 40 and above.  This activates insect activity and then gets fish feeding.
  Things seem to shut down in the afternoon because snowmelt has started to enter the water with enough volume to start dropping the temperature.  Remember freshly melted snow is just warmer than freezing.  When this snow hits the creeks it may drop water temperatures only by a degree or two, but that is usually enough to slow down or downright stop major feeding activity and insect activity.
  In other words, carry a thermometer.  When the temps are going up fishing will be good, when they start to drop a bit, expect tough fishing. 

Leave a comment
Name:
Website/Email:
 
 
Note: All comments must be approved by the blog author.