Summer Heat
Aquatic Ecosystem
The reason is simple: the water temperatures down beyond 40 feet are usually more stable and often preferred by our favourite game fish.
Photograph by Nipissing Muskies
Fish have a second option to deal with the inescapable heat. Fish will adopt a negative feeding mood when stressed by high temperatures. Again, I illustrate this point when looking for perch on that same hot day in August. I was targeting the 30+ foot range but was surprised to see the fish pinned tight to the bottom in the deepest section of the flat. I did manage to coax a few to hit but they looked pale and not very happy!
While primarily a musky fisherman, I’d like to take this opportunity to issue a warm weather warning with respect to catching heat stressed fish of all species. I pride myself in practicing catch and release exclusively for trophy muskies and pike but occasionally it will happen; you’ll do everything right but some fish simply don’t survive the ordeal.
Photographs by Nipissing Muskies
Wait until a cold front rolls through and the wind mixes the cooler air back into the system. The action will be better anyway and released fish have a much better chance of survival. To all of you out there who fish with a conscience, I applaud you. Keep it up! We’re all responsible for the continued well-being of the fisheries we fish.