Freshwater Fishing News

Floods can affect fishing in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, creeks, and streams. When floodwaters move thru fishing habitats, fishing is disrupted for days or weeks.

Eventually, water levels recede and anglers return to their favorite body of water. When fish habitats are exposed to flooding, their topography often changes. By visiting traditional fishing areas after floods recede, anglers can gain valuable insight into how a waterway has changed.

In creeks, and streams, areas where water flows tend to be restricted can change dramatically during flooding. Although some habitat is destroyed, important new structure is often created. Along the shoreline, vegetation, soil, rocks and other materials may be ripped away and carried downstream. Some objects move a short distance, while others may move for miles.

In some areas, partial damming occurs as logs and other debris are piled up by floodwaters. These structures can change dramatically during floods. Old debris may be cleared by rushing water while new buildups may occur in other areas. When live trees are taken down by high winds or raging floods, their branches often trap objects that float by, causing significant pile ups of debris.

Rocks, gravel, and sand may also be deposited or exposed during floods. These materials often create important habitat for fish and invertebrates. Rocks and other large objects create eddies where fish can rest and feed. Gravel beds become important as feeding areas. In most bodies of water, gravel beds also provide important spawning habitats for fish.

Many man-made lakes and reservoirs are created by damming streams or creeks. Flooding can have impact these structures considerably, often affecting fish populations, behavior, and distribution. During major floods, logs, brush and other debris may be deposited on the bottom where creeks and lakes converge. In some areas deltas are formed by the buildup of gravel, sand, mud or a combination of materials. Small islands may even appear in these areas.

Initially, fish and other wildlife may be displaced into the main part of the waterway. At the dam, water continues to flow at higher than normal rates until the water level stabilizes again. During this period, the lake or reservoir may experience some beneficial flushing as surface scum, trash, oils and other contaminants are washed downstream.

In the first days after flooding, fish may feed erratically. Food supplies are often abundant, especially along shorelines where insects and other small prey have congregated. Eventually, the incoming water flow returns to normal and visibility will begin returning to normal. Some lakes will see experience algae blooms and insect hatches following flooding.

Anglers usually choose to cover a wide area initially, looking for the presence of fish. For lake fishermen, this usually includes areas near the dam or along shoreline vegetation. In some cases, fish can be found in much shallower water than normal, feeding on an abundance of prey that has been displaced by flood waters. When fishing after floods, snags, floating debris and other obstructions can hamper fishing. Weedless lure designs are often essential. In some cases, experimentation with a few simple lures can result in excellent fishing.

In deeper lakes, boaters with sonar may locate newly deposited logs, debris or other bottom structure. As the waters settle down, these areas may begin to attract fish that have been swept into the lake. Fish finders may also detect suspended fish that are sulking in habitable areas.

Many of the same techniques that work in lakes and reservoirs apply to streams and creeks. Finding slow moving water may be critical for success as fish may avoid strong currents or areas where silt is suspended. Some anglers will use fly fishing tackle, while others may employ conventional lures or even live baits. As with lake fishing, paying attention to the behavior of fish and forage species can be critical for success.

Despite the challenges, a fishing trip following recent flooding can be a valuable experience. Depending on conditions, anglers may experience poor fishing or outstanding success. In either case, a trip following a flood can provide anglers with valuable knowledge about fish habitats.

For 2011, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has added 99 new waters to the state’s list of wild trout streams, raising the total number of documented waterways which support naturally reproducing populations of trout to nearly 3,650.

The Commission also removed 16 waters from the list and adjusted the limits on eight others.

The changes resulted from recent stream surveys undertaken as part of the PFBC’s Unassessed Waters Initiative, a collaborative effort among the agency, local colleges and universities and conservation groups to survey the Commonwealth’s nearly 45,000 remaining unassessed waterways.

Surveying unassessed waters and documenting wild trout populations are consistent with the Commission’s five-year Strategic Plan, Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania and the agency’s Resource First philosophy.

The wild trout stream designation has regulatory significance because wetlands that are located in or along the floodplain of the reach of a wild trout stream are considered “exceptional value” by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and are entitled to the highest level of protection by DEP.

The list can be found on the PFBC website at: http://fishandboat.com/images/exec/minutes/2011minu/04min_exh_i.pdf

The current version of the wild trout streams list was last revised in April 2010 and can be found on the PFBC website at: http://www.fishandboat.com/trout_repro.pdf

source: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Natural stream flow suits native trout populations best, according to a study that examines the impacts of dam operations on threatened freshwater trout. The study appears in River Research and Applications.

In a study to identify the potential impacts of Hungry Horse Dam (Montana) operations on declining native trout populations, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey, Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc., Spatial Sciences & Imaging and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks examined how changes in river flow affect fish habitat on the upper Flathead River in Montana.

“Our research suggests past flow management practices created sporadic flow fluctuations that were likely detrimental to threatened bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout populations in the upper Columbia River Basin,” said Clint Muhlfeld, project leader and USGS scientist. “With Montana providing 40 percent of the U.S. water storage in the Columbia Basin Power and Flood Control system, water demands –and biological impacts—are significant.”

Populations of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout have declined throughout ranges in western North America due to a many factors, including habitat destruction, fragmentation and non-native species. Dam operations in the Columbia River Basin have contributed to these declines by changing flow and habitat, and disrupting routes of fish migration.

Loss of habitat connectivity and habitat modification can be especially detrimental to native trout populations, the study found. These fish migrate to spawn and feed and prefer large, relatively pristine habitats that are connected without any barriers such as dams.  Although the upper Flathead River system in Montana and British Columbia, Canada, is considered a regional and range-wide stronghold for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout these populations may be threatened by the effects of 55 years of altering flow downstream of the Hungry Horse Dam.

Results of the study further suggest that dam management strategies that are more similar to the natural flow of the river will likely improve the chances of protecting habitat and help to maintain and restore bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout populations.

“Analyses comparing the natural flow of the mainstem Flathead River (predam, 1929–1952) with five postdam flow management strategies (1953–2008) show that natural flow conditions optimize the threatened bull trout habitats and that the current management practices best resemble the natural flow conditions of all postdam periods,” Muhlfeld said.

One caveat to this observation, said Muhlfeld, is the practice of increasing flow in the late summer to help fish species such as salmon and steelhead, known as “anadromous” because they migrate from salt water to fresh water to breed.  According to the study, increasing flow to benefit one species is actually reducing the amount of suitable habitat for another – the bull trout, a species listed as a threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

“Several studies have shown that dam operations have profound effects on anadromous fishes, yet before ours, few studies have examined the impacts of flow management strategies on habitats of threatened, native trout species in the upper Columbia River Basin,” Muhlfeld said.

Results from the study are featured in the April 2011 early online edition of River Research and Applications.  The article is titled “Assessing the impacts of river regulation on native bull trout (salvelinus confluentus) and westslope cutthroat trout (oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) habitats in the Upper Flathead River, Montana, USA” and can be viewed online.

source: USGS

For most anglers, drop offs, channel edges and other underwater structures are among the most important areas for targeting fish.

Types of structure:

Channel edges are the most common areas where depths vary. These drops often hold fish, especially during specific conditions.

In reservoirs, rock walls sometimes occur, some of which are nearly vertical. These structures can act to divert water flows, which in turn attracts fish.

In many lakes and rivers, natural rock outcrops occur, either submerged or breaking the surface. These formations can be dangerous to boaters but can hold good numbers of fish.

Manmade structures such as sea walls, bulkheads, wrecks, reefs and even boats can attract fish.

Border Habitats

Often, channels and other drop offs are bordered by mud flats, sandbars or other shallow areas. These areas serve as refuges for baitfish and other forage sources.

Spadderdock, also known as water lily, cow lily, or yellow pond lily, is often found along the edges of drop offs. Spatterdock plants grow in freshwater beds, with roots embedded in the bottom and leaves floating on the water’s surface.

In some areas, deep sections are bordered by shallow areas of stones, aggregate or other debris. While the nearby shallows may be difficult to fish due to obstructions, these nearby deep pools or channels can be worth fishing.

Water Flows

Drop offs are subject to a variety of water movements. In many cases, water moves to or from shallower areas nearby. These water flows can be caused by temperature, wind, downstream currents, tidal movements, upwellings, spring flows, or other factors.

When fishing drop offs, it can be worthwhile to take notice of subtle hints concerning water flow. Is the wind coming off a sandbar, blowing the water directly into the channel? What about upwellings? Are their visible changes in color or noticeable changes in temperature along the drop?

Working these structures in pairs can sometimes be productive, with one angler focusing on deeper areas while a partner casts towards the flats. Usually, through experimentation, a pattern of fish behavior can be found. In some cases fish may behave in a similar manner for extended period. In other cases, fish may move in reaction to changing water temperatures, current flows or other factors.

Along the Atlantic Coast of North America, tidal rivers are popular destinations for fishing and other activities. These rivers often begin life hundreds of miles from the ocean as small mountain streams or minor drainages from swampy areas. At their upper reaches they are entirely freshwater and flow in a single direction.

As these rivers flow towards the Atlantic, eventually they begin to experience tidal flows. Understanding tides and knowing their cycles is essential when fishing for fish in tidal environments. In most areas, fish respond to tidal flow, moving in or out of currents to feed.

Often a river or creek may spread out and form exaggerated curves until eventually the bends touch each other and the river breaks thru. These occurrences form 2 very important structures. First, a new narrow channel emerges where water flows in a straight path. This section acts like a funnel, causing tidal water to rush thru considerably stronger than in other parts of the river.

The other structure that results from a break thru is the abandoned curve, which now takes on a horse shoe shape. In between the new channel and the old path is an island. These areas often become a maze of fallen trees, living cypress trees, stumps, areas of marsh, lily pad colonies and shallow open areas. While these structures area a nightmare for propellers and treble hooks, they usually become important nurseries and feeding areas for freshwater fish.

Fishing the edges of lily pads is productive in most tidal rivers. Species such as largemouth bass, crappie and chain pickerel often hide among the pads, waiting to attack prey that swims near. Buzz baits, frogs and other surface lures often work well, especially models that employ a weedless design.

Cypress trees, stumps and downed logs are excellent structures to fish around in tidal rivers. Largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and pickerel are all known to orient to these structures, especially during moving tides.

Channel edges and other drop offs can be productive areas to fish. Often fish can be detected with fish finders along these areas, giving anglers clues to which types of techniques are mostly likely to be productive.

Overhanging brush and tree limbs are often productive areas to fish. In tidal waters, species such as largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, black crappie, chain pickerel and others will lurk below limbs waiting to ambush prey that falls into the water below.

Sharp bends in creeks are important areas to investigate. In these areas, currents and depths vary dramatically. During periods of tidal flow, currents race around the curves, creating rips and other areas where water mixes or collides. On the extreme outside of these hair pin curves, steep edges may rise abruptly to shallow areas where little or no tidal movement occurs. These areas offer protection for baitfish and other food sources.

Eddies in tidal rivers can be excellent places to fish. In some rivers, large eddies form in certain areas, carrying baitfish, debris and even kayaks in complete circles. Casting or jigging along the opposing currents can be effective for catching bass, crappie or other fish that prey on hapless smaller fish.

Flats and grass beds can be good spots to fish. These areas offer spawning habitat as well as nursery environments for young fish. Adult fish move in and out of these areas in spring to spawn and may also lurk nearby waiting for young fish or crabs to stray out of protected areas.

Kayak fishermen have a few more options available than power boaters in rivers. Most rivers have small coves, swampy sections or other areas that are shallow and full of obstructions. Although these areas are often shallow and present some challenges to reach, they sometimes hold incredible numbers of fish.