The Best Time to Fish

As a fishing guide with over 30 years of experience I have been lucky to share the boat with many people. First time anglers learning how to cast, to seasoned veterans with many years of fishing experience. A question I get most often is, when is the best time to fish? My first answer is: any chance you get! 

Now, I know that is not what they are really asking or getting at when posing that question, but it is true. The more you get out and spend time on the water, the more opportunity you have to catch fish. There are obviously many factors that contribute to better days on the water, and putting yourself in these situations more often will lead to more successful outings. Here are some examples:

Time of day

Most sport fish are predators and feed when conditions are best. Low light conditions in the morning and evening create a distinct advantage over their forage. They can hide more easily and ambush their prey, and they are just generally more active at these times.

Weather Conditions 

Have you ever heard “fishing is best in the rain”? While I do not believe that to be necessarily true, weather conditions do have a major affect on fish behaviour – particularly changes in barometric pressure. Falling barometric pressure indicates a storm moving in and usually triggers fish to start feeding, while rising pressure or high-pressure situations usually cause the bite to slow down. While I love being on the water on sunny calm days, the fishing may not be great. I find it best just before a storm moves in or on overcast days with a bit of chop on the water.

Time of year

I find fishing the best in the spring or early seasons and the fall. In the spring, the fish are getting ready to spawn. They are feeding at this time because they have just come off a winter where they are not as active and need to feed to get energy up for the spawn. During the spawn, they are pretty inactive, going about their business reproducing and protecting their nests from predators. After the spawn they go through a little bit of what I call a post spawn funk, then start feeding heavily before summer. In the fall water temperatures start dropping which signals fish to start feeding to fatten up for the winter. Weather patterns are more unstable in the spring and fall making the barometric pressure rise and fall more frequently. 

There are many other factors that affect fishing. These are just a few examples that are straightforward, easy to understand, and may help you decide when you choose to go fishing. Anytime you are able to cast a line is the best time to fish. Get out when you can and enjoy your time. You never know when it will be your time or when the magic will happen that is the beauty of fishing.

Stay Fishing My Friends!

Your Guide, Mike Williams
Williams Outfitters
www.williamsoutfitters.com