Every angler wants to know the best time to catch fish. If you’ve ever spent hours out on the water without getting so much as a nibble, you’ve probably asked yourself what time fish bite the most. The short answer is that it depends on the species, weather, time of year, and other factors.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: fish tend to bite more around sunrise and sunset when prey is active and lighting conditions make it easiest for them to see food. But to really understand optimal fishing times, we’ll take a deep dive into how different types of fish feed throughout the day and year so you can adjust your trips accordingly.
How Fish Feed Based on Species
Insects and Bait Fish
Many freshwater fish species feed on insects and smaller bait fish. Species like bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch are adept at feeding on insects like mayflies, caddisflies, and dragonflies that hatch off the surface of lakes and rivers.
They will greedily slurp up any insect that happens to land on the water. Other panfish like bluegill will also voraciously feed on small minnows and bait fish. In fact, many anglers use small jigs, spinners, and even live bait like wax worms, meal worms, crickets, and minnows to target hungry panfish.
Trout are another popular game fish that relies heavily on insects and bait fish. Trout aggressively feed on mayfly hatches, gobbling up flies as they land on the water’s surface. Drifting flies that match the hatch is an extremely effective trout fishing technique.
Trout also love terrestrial insects like grasshoppers, ants, and beetles that accidentally fall into the water. Aggressively twitching and popping fly patterns that mimic these land-based insects can trigger explosive strikes.
And trout absolutely gorge themselves on schools of small minnows and bait fish like sculpin and dace. Streamers, spinners, and spoons that mimic injured or fleeing bait fish are go-to lures for anglers targeting trout.
Predators
Larger predatory fish species like pike, muskie, bass, and walleye feed almost exclusively on smaller bait fish. These aggressive predators use their lightning quick bursts of speed and large mouths to ambush and inhale any smaller fish that cross their path.
Topwater plugs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic swimbaits are all designed to imitate wounded or fleeing baitfish, which drives these predators into a frenzied feeding mode. The most effective colors tend to be silver, white, yellow, chartreuse, firetiger, and black/blue, as these colors stand out in the water and mimic common baitfish colors like shad, bream, perch, and trout.
Large marine predators like tuna, marlin, and sharks also primarily feed on massive schools of smaller bait fish. Tuna love gobbling up sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and other small shiny fish that congregate in dense schools near the ocean’s surface.
The broad lateral lines on tuna allow them to hone in on the vibrations of tightly packed bait balls. Anglers use chrome-colored spoons, jigs, and plastic swimbaits to mimic the flash and action of these small shiny baitfish.
Marlin, sharks, and other offshore giants also use their keen senses to track down clusters of bait fish like herring, pilchards, and bluefish.
Bottom Feeders
Bottom dwelling fish like catfish and carp primarily feed right off the bottom. Catfish often hang in current breaks and eddies waiting for food to be swept downstream to them. Their excellent sense of smell allows them to hone in on potential food sources, and their whisker-like barbels help them locate food in dark or murky water.
Catfish feed on a variety of organisms on the bottom including insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and vegetation. Popular baits for catfish include nightcrawlers, minnows, shrimp, cut bait, dough bait, and plant-based baits like boiled corn.
Carp also use their keen sense of smell and taste to forage along bottom substrates for food. They use their sucker mouths to vacuum up vegetation, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Boilies, dough balls, and even whole kernel corn are popular bait choices for targeting bottom-feeding carp.
Some anglers even find success hooking floating bread crust or other human food scraps to target hungry carp cruising the bottom.
Environmental Factors That Stimulate Feeding
Water Temperature
Water temperature is one of the most important factors that influence fish feeding behavior. Fish are cold blooded, so the surrounding water temperature greatly impacts their metabolism and appetite. As a general rule, most fish species feed more actively in warmer water temperatures between 65-75°F.
Colder water temperatures below 50°F will significantly slow a fish’s metabolism and suppress its desire to feed. Understanding seasonal patterns and daily fluctuations in water temperature can help anglers pinpoint the best times to catch fish.
Weather and Seasons
Weather patterns and seasonal changes go hand in hand with water temperature shifts. During the warm summer months, fish are more active and feed more consistently as their metabolism speeds up. Fish tend to feed heavily in the springtime as well, when warming water temperatures stimulate appetite after a slow winter season.
Major cold fronts, storms, or high winds can temporarily shut down or disrupt normal feeding. Barometric pressure changes that accompany weather fronts may also impact fish behavior. In general, stable high-pressure systems with minimal wind tend to produce better fishing conditions.
Tides and Lunar Cycles
Moon phases and tidal stages provide useful insights into fish feeding windows. Many anglers fish strictly around the prime tide stages – usually a few hours before or after the high and low tides. During strong tidal flows, baitfish and crustaceans get churned up, which stimulates predatory fish to feed.
The gravitational pull of the moon also influences fish behavior, with full and new moons often producing the best bite. There is anecdotal evidence that certain moon phases may trigger fish into heavy feeding activity.
Paying attention to the lunar calendar and coordinating with strong tidal movements can really improve your chances of catching fish.
Dissolved Oxygen Levels
Most fish need adequate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels to feed and function normally. Oxygen saturation usually declines in warmer water, so many species become inactive during the hottest parts of summer. Low DO will stress fish and make them lethargic.
However, increased photosynthesis from aquatic plants and algae during peak sunlight hours helps elevate oxygen levels. Therefore, fish tend to be more active feeders early and late in the day when DO levels are higher, especially in warmwater lakes and ponds.
Targeting dawn and dusk periods when dissolved oxygen is abundant can boost your catch rates.
Prime Times to Fish Throughout the Day
Early Morning Bite
The early morning hours right before sunrise are often one of the best times during the day for catching fish. Many species of fish do the majority of their feeding at dawn when insects are most active and other prey are easier to find and catch.
The low light conditions at daybreak also provide cover and advantage for predators like fish to ambush prey. Some great fish to target during the early morning bite include bass, trout, catfish, and panfish.
Here are some tips for making the most out of the early morning bite:
- Arrive early and have your line in the water before sunrise.
- Target shallow areas and around structure where baitfish congregate.
- Use topwater lures that imitate insects and make noise to attract aggressive fish.
- Pay close attention to your lure during the retrieve – early morning strikes can be very subtle.
The feeding activity typically starts to taper off within 1-2 hours after sunrise as the sun gets brighter and temperatures warm up. But the early morning bite can be a magical time to catch some hogs right at daybreak! The early bird gets the fish!
Daytime Lulls
As the sun gets higher in the sky and temperatures climb towards their peak, fishing activity tends to slow down significantly. This midday period is typically the toughest time to catch fish.
There are a couple reasons for the daytime lulls in feeding activity:
- Warmer temperatures make fish more lethargic and less likely to chase prey.
- Brighter conditions make it harder for predators to ambush bait.
- Without the cover of darkness, prey fish are more aware of predators.
During the daytime lulls, fish retreat to deeper holes and structure where they can ambush bait while staying comfortable in cooler water. Fishing can still be worthwhile, but it requires a change of strategy:
- Fish deeper areas, especially cool, shaded spots.
- Slow way down with slower moving baits like soft plastics on jig heads.
- Focus more on naturally-appearing baits rather than aggressive reaction baits.
The tough midday bite can test an angler’s patience and persistence. But for some diehard fishermen, figuring out a way to trick fish during this slow period provides the greatest challenge and satisfaction. As the saying goes, “Even a bad day of fishing beats a good day at the office!”
Evening Bite
As the sun dips lower on the horizon and daylight wanes, fish sense the approaching darkness and go on another major feeding bout. The evening bite often lasts right up until sunset and a bit after. Feeding activity tends to peak as various prey species get more active.
This signals predators to take advantage of one final prime opportunity to hunt and feed under the cloak of dusk.
Patterns that worked at dawn are often highly effective again during the evening bite. Try these tips:
- Target the same areas and structure you fished at dawn.
- Work topwater baits and shallow runners to draw explosive strikes.
- Pay close attention to the action as darkness sets in.
- Downsize lures and tip jigs with live bait like worms or minnows.
The evening bite presents a final flurry of action before the skunk sets in at night. Dedicated anglers will milk every last minute of twilight to take advantage of feeding windows bookending the slower midday period. Learning how fish behave throughout the different times of day will help you maximize success.
Putting it All Together – Best Fishing Times By Species
Trout
Trout are most active at dawn and dusk when insect activity is high. The early morning hours right at sunrise and the evening hours right before sunset are prime times to catch trout. Trout also tend to feed more heavily on overcast or drizzly days when less sunlight penetrates the water.
During the heat of summer, target trout in cold, shaded areas or in deeper pools where the water temperature is lower. In the winter, trout will move into slower pools and eddies out of the main current where they can conserve energy.
The best winter trout fishing often occurs on warmer, sunny days.
Bass
Bass feed most actively at dawn and dusk, especially largemouth bass which ambush prey from cover. At first and last light, bass will cruise shallow waters looking for an easy meal. Bass also tend to be more active on overcast or windy days which roil the water’s surface and make it harder for prey to spot the bass.
During the summer, fish early in the morning and late in the evening and target shaded areas. In the winter, bass feed less but will become active on warm, sunny days when the water temperature rises a few degrees.
Catfish
Catfish feed actively at night and many anglers target them after dark. Channel catfish feed heavily a couple hours after sunset and before sunrise. Blue catfish are most active from just after sunset through midnight.
Flathead catfish, the most nocturnal, feed actively through the night into the early morning hours. During the day, catfish will rest in deep holes and under structures like sunken logs. Cloudy days will stimulate daytime catfish feeding.
Hot summer weather may improve catfish action as the fish become more active in the cooling hours after sunset.
Carp
Carp feed actively throughout the day but seem to peak at dawn and dusk. In lakes and ponds, look for carp feeding in shallow water in the early morning. During summer heat, carp are most active at dawn and night and retreat to deeper water during the day.
Carp will feed mid-day in the spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler. To target fall and winter carp, fish on warmer sunny days in protected backwater areas and shallows warmed by the sun. On rivers, carp become more active during higher flows in the spring which flood the banks bringing nutrients into the river.
Other Popular Gamefish
Crappie, bluegill, and other panfish feed most actively at dawn and dusk, especially around structure like submerged trees or docks. They prefer lower light conditions and retreat to deeper water during bright sun. Walleye and pike are most active at low light conditions of dusk, dawn, and night.
They follow the shad and other baitfish that become more active in dim light. Muskie fishing is best at dusk, dawn, and on cloudy days. Perch will hit consistently during morning and evening windows. In summer, target them in deeper, cooler water during the day.
Conclusion
As you can see, optimal fishing times depend on many intersecting factors. While there are some general rules of thumb, such as fishing low light periods, you’ll be most successful matching your trips to the specific feeding habits of your target species.
Pay attention to bait fish activity, insect hatches, moon phases, seasons, weather patterns in your area, and more to determine the best fishing times.
Armed with this knowledge, your next fishing trips will be more fruitful. You’ll save time spent waiting for fish that aren’t biting and can better predict when to hit the water. Tight lines!
