Gene Golden Loc: Gettysburg PA

Here in South Central PA, we've been blessed (cursed?) with a series of HEAVY rain events this Summer.
I have well water, so it's great in that sense, but...
Is this affecting our ability to catch fish?
Did I just choose the wrong year to pick up fishing again???

-- Do you guys have any tips, on how long after a major rain event will fish resume biting?
-- Where will they restart their activity - in the grasses; deeper water; at the mouths of streams entering the lakes; along the "streams" in the lake; closer to shore; around cover of rocks and stumps???

After the recent rains, I attempted to toss a few lures into a stream near the Susquehanna.
The water was way too fast, and running muddy, and my location was not ideal for retrieval - too much debris from the storm, and trees and grass were swamped about 12 feet from the normal bank-line.

The lakes and ponds, though, were extremely, and surprisingly CLEAR!
But... NADA, ZIP, ZILCH, ZERO!
Even tossed in some huge nightcrawlers... without a single nibble.
I had to clean the worms off the hook myself! WTF? 😡
The only beneficiary of the day, was an 18" Snapping Turtle that hung out below my rock perch.
Every time I stepped closer to the edge, he would poke his fist-sized head out of the water - at least SOMEONE got fed 😁

FishermanLeeSonoma

That is a problem we could use in California...

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Curious what folks have to say on GG's topic. This past weekend on my son's insistence, we tried fishing out of Fletchers Cove on the Potomac (for those of you in metro DC, it's above Georgetown but below Chain bridge off Canal Rd.). The current was fast, tons of debris, and the color of chocolate milk. The C&O next to it was just as muddy. River was still carrying off all the runoff from the rain we got up river earlier in the week. Tried the eddies but nada. Felt it was a fool's errand from the get-go. Has anyone actually caught fish in similar conditions?

Jeremy Loc: America

If any of your target species can be enticed by scents I think after water turbidity ( clarity) is bad utilization of scent can help. Temperature and if a water body has a turnover it could also be more of the factor that is in the details. Oxygen is major factor with some species as well. Talk to state fisheries biologist and game wardens etc you may find out the missing link.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Think like a fish. If you were outside in a hurricane with 100 mph winds and trees branches and debris flying through the air, what would you do. Personally, I'd be burrowed into a hole in the ground with my head between my knees.

Jeremy Loc: America

Fish will go hide in shallow water near a bank in moving water. Oxygen is harder to absorb into gills in muddy water.

Eyecrosser Loc: Camdenton Mo. Lake of Ozarks.

Heavy rains cause the lake to rise. When the lake rises, it covers the bushes. fish go to the bushes to feed on the existing insects bugs & whatever else there is. I have always had good luck in fishing shallow and in the last third of coves where Creeks come in.

Gene Golden Loc: Gettysburg PA

Great replies, guys, I appreciate the input so far.

I do realize that there will be some water temperature turnover in the future, but how FAR in the future are we talking?
Also, once the lakes DO flip-flop, then what happens - do I just quit until Spring?
I'm just getting started, don't make me go back inside! 😁

As far as more rain is concerned, do you suggest chances are better...
- Before the rains? If so, how far in advance?
- During the rain? Light drizzle, continuous sprinkles?
- After the rains? When do the fish resume their normal routines?

I mean... fish LIVE in water - it's not like THEY should mind getting wet 🤨

bobio777 Loc: NE Pa

I’ve had luck in the “new water” along the banks. Lot of new food sources are being washed in among the weeds / grasses after a major rainfall.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

Hello Gene Golden. A heavy runoff of rain water into a pond can change the PH of the water. That can effect the fish. Same thing in a lake if the influx raises the water level several feet. A good average rain can make for some good fishing but it's those gully washers that can slow It down a few days. Good luck.

CrappieJed Loc: Yosemite area California

Gene, unless your fishing for Brown trout that love rain/snow rising water and get very active you will need to educate yourself on barometric pressure how it effects fish what does turn over ( lake flip flop) mean...The thermocline rupturing look that up. Lots rain usually means colder weather water etc. Study on metabolism of fish in those situations, usually means slow down and bring size down of your offering. The fish are there they still have to eat you just need make few adjustments. I love fishing in winter but it’s different tactic but fish can be caught.

Jeremy Loc: America

All the O2 ( oxygen ) gets depleted. The fish will be ready after the switch hence turn over but may be in completely different location....OXYGEN. Research it so you understand the process. Thermocline etc...lake turning over. Then you need to learn what it means in whatever body of water your targeting

CrappieJed Loc: Yosemite area California

Gene, I didn’t read your first post I missed it. I apologize I thought you we’re talking about winter.i see now it was heavy rains in summer...my bad. I agree with bottom coon gully washers dirty up things which is good for sturgeon lol. It might take few days but fish will bite again. It’s a disturbance to fish with heavy rains kinda messes the house up like a tornado would your house but again things will calm down and fish be on the prowl. Try down sizing your offering at that time

CrappieJed Loc: Yosemite area California

👍🏻

Gene Golden Loc: Gettysburg PA

CrappieJed,
Both replies are helpful.
In either case, it looks like I may need to consider downsizing the offering, and slowing the speed.
I used to follow all of that stuff about lake turnover, and lunar cycles, etc., many years ago.
I'm slowly recalling some of that vocabulary, and technique.

Hell, it's been so long, I had to use cheat-sheets to help me with the knots! 🤣