Spring/Early Morning
Fish aren't biting. The water is cold and
doesn't heat up because the sun is low and the rays bounce off the water. But
don't go home yet, because winter is over and fish are hungry and spawning.
Best to wait until a week or so after thaw, as spring turnover takes time for
the water temperature to even out to 39.2 degrees.
Spring/Late Morning-Early Afternoon
Fish are biting off and on. The water
begins to warm up because rays begin to penetrate the water. Remember to fish
the downwind shoreline, as the winds will push the warmer surface water along
with surface food into that area.
Spring/Afternoon-Early Evening
Fish are eating a lot because their
metabolism and digestion are cranked. Water is warm because the sun is directly
overhead.
Summer/Early Morning-Late Afternoon
Fishing is excellent from before sunup to
just before mid-morning. At this time of year there is abundant food and cover
for fish, so finding hungry fish can be a challenge.
Summer/Late Morning-Early Afternoon
Fishing is poor for most of the day. Fish
move to deep water to cool off.
Summer/Afternoon-Early Evening
Fishing is excellent from early sundown
until dark as the waters cool and fish rise up from the depths.
Fall/Early Morning
Fish aren't biting much from sunup to early
morning. The water is cool because the sun is too low to penetrate the water.
Fall/Late Morning-Noon
Fish are biting off and on in warmer,
shallow water. The water is generally cool due to the season.
Fall/Afternoon-Early Evening
Fishing is excellent. Sun is directly
overhead for several hours and the water gets more comfortable near the
surface. This makes for seasonally good fishing because fish are putting on
weight for the winter. Look for bait schools where bigger fish are more likely
to be.
Seasonal Lake Turnover
Turnover refers to the exchange of surface
and bottom water in a lake or pond. This annual recycling program happens twice
a year. There's spring turnover and fall turnover and summer stagnation in
between. From spring to fall, warmer water goes from the top of the lake to the
bottom and cooler water moves from the bottom to the top.
An understanding of turnover, combined with knowledge of what kind of water a
particular fish likes, can make you a real fishing genius. As always, good luck.
