Here is some handy information on the best time to fish for bass, trout, pike, salmon and walleye! We have included the seasons and best time of day to get out there and chase down your next big catch.
Fish are cold-blooded creatures. This means that their body temperature is regulated by the water temperature around them. When it’s cold, fish aren’t very active.
On the other hand, if it’s too hot, they’ll retreat into the deep to keep cool. With most fish, there’s a perfect window of temperature when they’re most active.
Why does this impact fishing? When fish are active, they eat other fish and flies – both of which are mimicked by fishing bait. Fish activity, and therefore the likelihood of catching one, varies depending on the time of day and season, as well as the weather.
I’ve come up with a list of temporal factors that are worth keeping an eye on before you head out fishing to maximize your chances of catching a big one.
I’ll also go into more specific detail about the best times to fish for bass, trout, pike, salmon and walleye, species by species.
Season
The time of year you plan to go fishing has a huge impact on the best time of day to throw in a line. In summer months, the best time of day is usually just before sunup or late evening right after sundown.
Fish are most active in the cool temperatures of dawn and dusk, as are the flies that most fish enjoy eating. Avoid the hottest times of the day, i.e. the afternoon, when most fish will retreat to deep water to keep cool.
In spring and fall, the mornings tend to be a little too cold for much insect activity, which affects the fish activity. If you’re going fishing in spring or fall, aim to go around dusk, when the heat of the day is lingering, but it’s not the hottest part of the day.
Depending on where you are, winter might by the ice fishing season. Cold-blooded fish don’t mind the freezing water, just be sure to keep yourself warm!
Or, if you live in warmer climes, and you can fish all year round, then it shouldn’t matter too much what time of day you go fishing in the winter as it probably won’t get that hot.
Tides
If you’re planning on fishing from a beach, make sure you check out the tide times. Tide schedules are easily available and make sure you plan your trip accordingly.
The best time to hit tidal waters is during tidal shifts, when the mixing water brings in fresh nutrients and food for the fish to eat, which results in increased fish activity.
Another good reason to keep an eye on the tide is safety. You don’t want to get stuck somewhere with the tide coming in. Fishing can do weird things to time, especially when you’re gazing out at the open ocean. So take a watch or your phone and keep an eye on the time as well as the tide!
Weather
When planning your fishing trip, you’ll also want to keep an eye on the weather forecast. A scorching hot day with clear blue sky and sunshine is a great day to be outside, but not so great on the fishing front.
Fish tend to cool off in deep water when it’s hot and sunny. Often they’ll remain motionless in nice cool mud, so your chances of catching them plummet.
Another problem you may encounter if you’re fishing in the sunshine is the shadow from your fishing rod falling on the water. Try to keep the shadow of your fishing rod off the water’s surface if you can, as shadows and movement are good ways to scare away fish.
Blue skies and sunshine also present other problems. Whatever the weather, it’s a good idea to pack sunscreen and a hat with you when you go fishing. Sun burn and sun stroke are not complementary to a good day fishing, so make sure you’ve got protection from the sun.
Heavy rain and cold fronts are also not ideal weather for fishing. Heavy rain keeps the flies and insects from coming out, and fewer flies means fewer fish. A cloudy day with a gentle breeze is actually the best kind of weather for fishing.
Species
Whatever the weather or season, it helps to know what species of fish you’re going after.
Determining the species will help you narrow down the perfect window of time to target those particular fish. As different fish have different feeding patterns, it’s key that you know what kind of fish you’re hoping to catch.
Take a look at the tips below for catching five of the most common species.
Bass
Bass is a common name for a group of species of both freshwater and saltwater fish. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are all very popular game fish to go after in North America.
The best time of the year to go after bass is early in the spring before they spawn when the water temperature is between 55 to 65 degrees. They feed most in the early morning or later evening, though if it’s cloudy or the water is muddy, then any time of day is good.
Bass have great eyesight in low-light conditions. This is helpful to remember when picking the time to target bass. They will be hunting for food in the early morning or late evening when the sun and light levels are lowest.
If you love to catch your bass with a crankbait then check out our recent buyers guide for crankbait rods as well as some handy hints and tips.
Trout
Trout are pretty active all year round, though they do prefer cooler water. Spring and fall tend to be their best seasons, when the water is generally a little cooler.
In the summer, deeper water as well as high mountain lakes that remain cool in the summer months are good places to go after trout.
Trout tend to bite when the bugs are out. In the summer, this is often early morning or late evening when the wind tends to be gentler and the heat of the day isn’t at its most intense.
In spring and fall, the best time to fish for trout is around dusk.
If you’re going for some trout, then check out our guide on the best fluorocarbon fishing line for trout here.
Pike
Pike love cold water, i.e. water cooler than 65 degrees, so summertime might not be ideal for pike.
Some anglers say that you shouldn’t target pike until after the first frost. Pike season tends to be October to March, though in some places you can fish for pike all year round.
Early morning, before the sun rises, is the best time of day to go after a pike. If you’re fishing in October, try to hit shallower water where their prey shoal to keep warm.
If you’re fishing later into the winter, hit the deeper water where their prey shoal in search of more constant temperatures.
Salmon
There are five species of salmon and the season varies depending on where in the country you are. Mostly, the season is open between May and September, but definitely check your local rules and regulations to avoid getting slapped with a hefty fine.
In the spring; afternoon and early evening are the best times for salmon. In the summer, prime time is just before sunup and through the morning then after sundown until nightfall.
If you’re going after salmon in the fall, try to get out in the afternoon or early evening when it’s warm enough for the flies to be out.
Walleye
Walleye are known for having great eyesight in low-light conditions. One of the best ways to after walleye is from a boat. If you have access to a boat (or a buddy with one), try going after walleye in the deep, cooler water.
One of our favourite ways to go after walleye is in a fishing kayak. They’re just awesome!
If you’re fishing from a dock in shallower water, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day for walleye, when they are hunting their prey in low-light conditions using their superior eyesight.
In spring, midday is good if you’re out in a boat fishing deep water. If not, then sunrise and sunset are best. In summer, sunrise, sunset and nighttime are the best.
In the fall, same as spring, midday if you’re out deep, but sunrise and sunset if not. And in winter, afternoon and nighttime are best.
Best Times to Fish for Bass, Trout, Pike, Salmon and Walleye
Whatever species of fish you’re going after, be it bass, trout, pike, salmon or walleye, remember to check the regulations in the area where you plan on going fishing.
These regulations are created to keep the fish stocks healthy so everyone can enjoy a fun and sustainable day of fishing.
Fishing, no matter what time of the year, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, and have a fun and exciting few hours.
There is nothing more exciting than a good fight with a big fish, and you will definitely boost your chances if you know what time is best to go fishing.
Each species has a different feeding pattern, and it’s a good idea to know what kind of food your bait is supposed to be mimicking. Spending some time researching and planning will go a long way in increasing your likelihood of catching the big one.
If you really want to step your game up and land bigger fish, then check out our article with 8 tips on how to do so.
Good luck out there. Have fun and stay safe. Happy fishing!