Is It Good to Fish After It Rains? Let’s Find Out!

This is a great point to learn about. The article below is by Louise Fiolek and can be found here. Below this is her article:

Is It Good to Fish After It Rains? Let’s Find Out!

Fishing after a rainstorm can be an excellent time to catch fish, but many anglers are unaware of the advantages it brings to the fishing experience. Rain can create favorable conditions for fishing, from increased feeding activity to more challenging but rewarding fishing in rivers. Let's delve into the reasons why fishing after rain can be so beneficial and give you some tips to make the most of your fishing trip.

Why Is It Good to Fish After It Rains?

There are several reasons why fishing after rain is good for anglers. In lakes, rain can cool down the surface temperature and increase the oxygen content, leading to more active fish. In rivers, rain can agitate the water and bring in more food, causing fish to go into a feeding frenzy. Let's take a look at the specific benefits you might expect from trying your luck at a lake versus a river. The differences may surprise you!

Lake Fishing After Rain

In some cases, rainy days can produce favorable lake fishing conditions. Anything that disturbs the lake's surface, such as the murkiness that follows rain, makes it more difficult for fish to see you. It lets their guards down, and they become more vulnerable to being caught.

​Oxygenated Water

During the summer months, the amount of dissolved oxygen in a lake frequently decreases, which causes fish to become inactive. But in the cooler, wetter months, some interesting things happen to bodies of water.

Due to the force with which raindrops land, a rainstorm can increase the oxygen content of a lake or other body of water. Increased water entering a lake through streams or rivers can also increase the lake's oxygen content. This could result in a faster metabolism in fish, making them more active and consequently hungry.

Night Activity

Because rain frequently has a cooling effect and aerates surface water, fish may become more active after it rains. Additionally, many fish species are more active at night than in direct sunlight, especially in lakes with clear water. This provides a convenient excuse to venture out lake fishing in the evening after it rains.

Water Run Off in Lakes

Water from nearby land may flow into the lake when it rains heavily or for an extended period. In most cases, food is washed into lakes or other bodies of water by runoff. Fish are generally attracted to areas where runoff enters the lake because this is a location where they gather to feed. Look for high activity close to the lake's edge.

The amount of runoff that enters a body of water is typically determined by the amount of rainfall. However, this can also produce currents, which can further oxygenate the water. A change in water temperature may also result from runoff, depending on whether it is warm or cold, which may increase or decrease fish activity.

River Fishing After Rain

A river can become very agitated after a heavy rain, offering fantastic chances to spot hungry fish. That is, of course, if you can see them through the murky water. Try looking in areas with a lot of runoff or close to the mouths of creeks, inlets, or even dams.

More Food for the Fish

Runoff from heavy rainfall carries vast quantities of various worm species and other fish food along a river. Small creatures also come out of under rocks and stones as the river flow increases. Fish are likely to go into a feeding frenzy as a result of these circumstances. As a river gets murkier and colder from the rain, bigger fish seem to move through it more freely.

Start fishing as soon as you can when this happens, and use larger spinners than usual. You'll be surprised to learn that whether you're fishing for trout, smallmouth bass, or walleyes in a river, fish will strike a much larger spinner than usual. A more powerful spinner also makes you dredge farther and attracts fish's attention.

Letting the Water Settle

If you are not having any luck right away, it may be advantageous to wait a few hours after a rainstorm before fishing a river. This will allow runoff from nearby land to make the water clearer. River fishing can be excellent, but it can be much more challenging to catch fish than in a lake if the water is too murky. Additionally, because visibility in the river can decrease to just a few inches after very heavy rains, it can make it very challenging for fish to see your bait.

Remember that fishing can be very productive after a big rain because the river will likely have a lot of nutrients and food drifting in it. Fishing may be more challenging if the river is very muddy and there is reduced visibility after a lot of rain. But it is possible to occasionally find small pockets of clear water close to the mouths of smaller creeks that flow into larger rivers, even after a rainstorm.

Tips for Fishing After the Rain

Here are a few tips to make the most of your fishing experience:

1. Check the weather forecast: Knowing when and where it's going to rain can help you plan your fishing trip in advance.
2. Bring appropriate gear: Make sure you have the right gear, such as rain gear and waders, to ensure you stay dry and comfortable during your fishing trip.
3. Pay attention to water levels: After a rainstorm, the water level in rivers and lakes may change. Pay attention to these changes and fish in areas that are best for your style of fishing.
4. Be patient: Fishing after rain can be challenging, especially in murky water. Be patient and keep trying different lures and techniques until you find what works best.

Final Thoughts

Fishing after rain can offer a unique and rewarding experience, as it can affect various aspects of the fishing environment. The intensity and amount of rainfall can impact water levels, clarity, and fish behavior in both lakes and rivers. Remember that it's usually most beneficial to target areas with heavy runoff, where fish are likely to be more active. And even if you don't catch anything, spending time outdoors and fishing after the rain can be a peaceful and rejuvenating escape into nature.

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.