Weather & the Bite?

[OU812]

Does anybody out there know for sure what a passing cold front will do for the fishing? I am wondering if the clear weather afterwards will make it hard to catch em.
Thanks for any input  8)

[Fish Monger]

I don't know that it will cause them not to bite. We have been toying with the idea that maybe they feed well before a storm front, but we don't have any evidence of that. I have read much on the rise and fall of the barometer and how it impacts fishing conditions. I keep meaning to record this information and see if it is true myself.

[kerosenecounty17]

Ive read, been told, and experienced that fishing tends to be the most productive when the barometer stays steady for several days in a row.  Whether it's high pressure or low pressure doesn't seem to make much difference, as long as it's steady.  The last month here in WI we've had a constant stream of little storms moving through.  One day it's sunny, next day it's snowing, next day it's sunny again.  The barometer's been a yo-yo, and fishings really been lousy.

kero

[deadsmelthead]

Wind from the east fish bite least, wind from the west fish bite best..Allthough I have proved the saying wrong on numerous occasions, I still say it..I believe what kero said a steady barometer for 2 or more days...I have noticed on several outings when the weather was god awfull, raining, snowing, sleeting that the fish bite in spurts..For instance an hour will go by no bites or flags and then all of a sudden 3 or more flags will fly all within a couple minute time span..

[iceintheveins]

Fishing is always best immediately before and during a snow storm (low pressure). The fishing will always be best during this time. It's the high clear skies after the storm that are slow. Fish will be less aggressive, and may only hit well during the morning and evening.
If it has been clear for a few days, the fishing is okay, better than after a cold front, but not as good as during.

Tyler

[2 dogs]

After 30 years on the ice have given up with weather impact on fishing. Have and have not caught during high pressures with clear sunny days. Have and have not caught with light snow to a blizzard going on and everything in between. I have decided that all fish are females in that they get active whenever and wherever they feel like it and not until. If all fish were like men would be a lot easier to limit out as my wife says, " men and fish are just alike, when ever they open their mouthes they get in trouble."

[DipLip]

I've found the same...the crappiest days can produce well, while text-book conditions produce poor results.

I've never had a lot of success during extreme deep freeze conditions. Some of my best trips have been when it's mild and the winds are calm.

[fishmann]

Fish always bite best when the cows all stand facing the aspen trees with the leaves turned up under a pink sky with lots of acorns on the ground being eaten by squirrels with really bushy tails. 

Seriously, I read somewhere many, many years ago that most fish species started out in rivers centuries ago. Eons ago. Like prehistoric. Through evolution, they learned that a drop in pressure would likely result in rain, the runoff from which would muddy the water and make forage more difficult to find. They would feed heavily, not knowing how long the difficult forage finding times would last. Since they had "bulked up" before the storm, they would be less likely to eat for a few days after the rain had quit. This trait has been ingrained into them, and even though they might be living in lakes now where the effect is lessened, the trait remains.

On a somewhat related note, I agree with the downsizing theory after a storm or low pressure front has passed. Based on the above theory, the fish won't be hungry. However, they are still opportunistic. Kinda like if you go out to the All You Can Eat buffet for dinner, gorge yourself till you need to loosen your belt a notch or two, then go home and plop onto the coutch. If someone sits a burger and fries down in front of you, you're not likely to touch it. However, let em set down a bowl of peanuts, and chances are you'll nibble on a few of em, even though you aren't the least bit hungry. JMHO.

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

I haven't taken notes to verify any of the above positions, but I would have to say that I agree that overcast days caused by an approaching storm are pretty productive. Also, as was stated by one of you, a steady barometric pressure for a few days seems to make the action pick up. Case in point in NY last week, we had sunny skies under high pressure for most of the week and all weekend. Saturday and Sunday were like the 4th and 5th consecutive days of this weather, and I murdered the jumbo perch on both days. Past experience for me seems to be that the first day of fair skies is horrible fishing. Nice discussion.

[PIKEGUY]

Hey kerosene... I've been fishing the last couple weeks in northern & central Wisconsin, and you're right. The fishing's been terrible. Before the weather got goofy, we were catching lots of northerns on tip-ups while we caught nice perch in the shack. Now, with the constant small changes in weather we are not getting much of anything. We've got an aqua-vu & the fish look @ the bait, but they're not buying.

[nuke1neil]

general rule for me seems to be -not a cloud in the sky,fishing seems  slow,cloudy=more bites.I still go out unless its too windy or raining.I need to get a barometer and start to observe a little closer.Are they expensive?

[OU812]

Hey 2dogs. Thanks for the advice on marriage...and Fishmann...I will certainly try to pay closer attention to squirrels with bushy tails ~ ha.

I got to say this forum is good. I didn't expect to get so much response....thanks.

[deadsmelthead]

On a somewhat related note, I agree with the downsizing theory after a storm or low pressure front has passed. Based on the above theory, the fish won't be hungry. However, they are still opportunistic. Kinda like if you go out to the All You Can Eat buffet for dinner, gorge yourself till you need to loosen your belt a notch or two, then go home and plop onto the coutch. If someone sits a burger and fries down in front of you, you're not likely to touch it. However, let em set down a bowl of peanuts, and chances are you'll nibble on a few of em, even though you aren't the least bit hungry. JMHO.

I couldn't have said that any better...

[olgeezer]

Hey 2dogs, I think I married your wifes sister!

After 30 years on the ice have given up with weather impact on fishing. Have and have not caught during high pressures with clear sunny days. Have and have not caught with light snow to a blizzard going on and everything in between. I have decided that all fish are females in that they get active whenever and wherever they feel like it and not until. If all fish were like men would be a lot easier to limit out as my wife says, " men and fish are just alike, when ever they open their mouthes they get in trouble."

[Rotney72]

I find fishing to be better when the pressure is dropping.I have a friend who is a pilot..he tells me a normal steady rate of pressure is 29.95 any thing above is high any thing below is low..ever cut a hole and the water seems to come pouring out?...this happens when the pressure is falling ..I keep a fishing journal,and have for some reason ,usually done better in low pressure situations.

[OU812]

Thought you guys might like to see this....came from the Cabelas online catalog.
Think I'll memorize and get a barometer wristwatch instead...watch needs replaced anyways  8)
OU

[swampbuckster]

To me, fish movement and animal movement, as in hunting, goes together the same. Alot of times, the clear days are slow, with overcast skies produce more. Also before storms are good. I know the barometer has alot to do with it. I need to start paying attention more.

[outdoorwally]

I've noticed when that when the animals are active the fish are bitin.Now when i go i listen for the birds and watch to see if the animals are out.

[High Tide]

I think this is a great topic and the most important when it comes to ice-fishing. I think the type of fish makes a difference, as well as what part of the season.  Here is a off the wall thought, crappie and walleye most often can be caught right before dark or dark, because this is when the bait fish are most comfortable with moving knowing that they are not sending off a flash, (from the sun), and on cloudy days the bait fish are more bold, which make for an all day hunt. (good fishing) And the reason for seasons, I have logged better fishing in the late season on sunny days because the fish don't conserve air supply, because the sun promotes growth (oxygen).  And I second fish and women have a correlation, but not the biting part.

[mooseslayer]

WENT FISHING THE OTHER DAY . WAS CALM , SUNNY + WARM. NO ACTION WHATSOEVER. THEN A SNOW SQUALL MOVED IN . 20 MPH WINDS , HEAVY SNOW + NEARLY WHITE OUT CONDITIONS FOR 2 HRS. IN THOSE 2 HRS WE GOT 4 LAKERS, 12LB. 32IN WAS THE BIGGEST, THE SMALLEST WAS 4LB. GOT 3  14 TO 16 IN SALMON ALSO. BITE TURNED OF WHEN WEATHER IMPROVED AFTER SQUALL. NO DOUBT WEATHER AFFECTS THE BITE.

[GSP_Pike]

Consistently, I don’t do much catching after a cold front.

[PoleJerker]

Wind from the east fish bite least, wind from the west fish bite best..

Was told that as a kid  Been awhile since I've heard this old saying.

[Unclegillhunter]

Wind from the east fish bite least, wind from the west fish bite best..

Was told that as a kid  Been awhile since I've heard this old saying.

In addition wind from the south blows the bait into the fishes mouth.Not sure or can't remember what goes on when the wind is from the north.
Keep it safe! JDL

[RoeBoat]

Winds from the north, few sailors set forth

[ran7ger]

 if it's -30c they don't bite, stay home.  if it's nicer than that they may or may not bite, go fishing!!