Importance of Water Temperature for Tributary Fishing
Water temperature plays a pivotal role in the success of tributary fishing, particularly when targeting species that migrate through rivers and streams for spawning. Whether it’s steelhead, salmon, or trout, water temperature directly influences fish activity and behavior. It affects their decision to ascend rivers, spawn, and feed, and even determines how aggressively they respond to different baiting techniques. Therefore, understanding how water temperature interacts with fish behavior should be a key component of your tributary fishing strategy.
Understanding How Water Temperature Affects Fish
Different Temperatures Affect Different Fish Species
When fishing in tributaries, especially during the spring, it’s crucial to pay attention to how water temperatures affect various fish species, particularly steelhead and salmon. Understanding the temperature preferences of these fish can greatly improve your chances of successful fishing.
Salmon and Their Temperature Range
Each species of fish has its own ideal water temperature range. For salmon, this typically falls between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In these conditions, salmon are most active, migrating upstream and engaging in spawning behavior. However, when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees, salmon begin to feel the negative effects of colder water, which can reduce their activity levels and influence their migration patterns.
On the flip side, if water temperatures begin to rise toward the upper end of their preferred range, salmon can become less active or even retreat. During particularly warm conditions, salmon that are in or near estuaries may choose to head back into the lake to find cooler, more oxygen-rich waters. Those farther upstream may find themselves trapped as warmer temperatures and reduced oxygen levels make it harder for them to survive. This can lead to fish that simply shut down, halting their spawning activities.
This dynamic is especially evident during the early days of the salmon run. For example, in early September, slight cooling in the water—perhaps from a drop in air temperature or a shift in weather—can trigger salmon to start their migration. However, if the weather suddenly warms up, water temperatures can rise quickly, and salmon may retreat back to the lake, making early salmon fishing more unpredictable. This is a common scenario in the Salmon River and the nearby Lake Ontario region, particularly in areas around Pulaski, NY, during early September.
Despite these challenges, don’t let warmer water discourage you from fishing. With a better understanding of fish behavior in relation to temperature, there are still plenty of opportunities for a productive day on the water.
The Impact of Temperature on Spring Steelhead Fishing
When it comes to spring steelhead fishing, water temperature plays an equally crucial role in determining fish activity. Steelhead are particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations during their spawning period. At around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, steelhead begin to spawn, and you will find the most active fish on the gravel beds, actively engaging in their reproductive behavior. However, steelhead that are not in the mood to spawn will remain in deeper pools, conserving energy.
If the weather takes a turn for the colder, or if a chilly night causes a drop in water temperature, steelhead can stop spawning altogether. Even a small dip in temperature—just a few degrees—can cause the fish to retreat back to their winter behavior, staying inactive in the deeper pools. The effects of sudden temperature shifts can be quite profound, particularly in the early spring, as the fish respond to the cooler water by slowing down or halting their spawning efforts.
It’s not uncommon for temperatures to fluctuate by three to five degrees throughout the day, and if these changes remain within the ideal temperature range for steelhead, it may not significantly affect their behavior. However, when these fluctuations approach or exceed the lower end of steelhead’s preferred temperature range, they can have a major influence on how active the fish are. In such cases, paying close attention to temperature swings is key to understanding fish behavior and improving your chances of catching steelhead.
Understanding these subtle temperature shifts and how they influence fish behavior can be a game-changer when fishing tributaries for steelhead. By monitoring the temperature regularly and adjusting your approach accordingly, you can adapt to the changing conditions and increase your success on the water.
Make Fishing Plans Around Water Temperatures
Understanding how water temperature impacts fish behavior can be the difference between a lackluster day and a productive one when fishing tributaries. When temperatures are expected to drop overnight, fish activity may slow down or even stop completely. In such cases, the key to turning around a potentially unproductive fishing day is to adapt your strategy.
A good approach is to follow the fish back into the deeper pools, where they often retreat when water temperatures drop. Using a drift boat is an excellent way to cover more ground and quickly find areas where water temperatures are more consistent or optimal for fishing. This mobility allows you to target fish more effectively by staying in areas with the best conditions.
When you begin your day, remember that fish may not be as active during the colder morning hours. To increase your chances of success, slow down your drift and focus on keeping your flies close to the river bottom. This technique is especially useful when fish are lethargic in cooler water, as it mimics the natural movement of prey and entices fish to bite despite the lower temperatures.
As the day progresses and water temperatures warm up, fish will become more active. Typically, this happens by mid-morning. When this occurs, fish will return to the gravel beds to continue spawning, and fishing action will pick up. The rise in temperature signals to the fish that it’s time to feed again, and they often resume their usual spawning behavior.
This is why some of the best tributary fishing often happens in the afternoon, when water temperatures are more favorable. You may find that fishing later in the day yields better results, especially when the water temperature has stabilized after fluctuating overnight. In some cases, it’s even better to start your fishing day in the mid-morning, planning to fish late into the afternoon when conditions improve. This strategy allows you to fish on the fish’s schedule, taking advantage of their natural behavior patterns as they adjust to the changing temperatures.
Temperatures are an Important Tributary Fishing Factor
While water temperature isn’t the only factor that determines fishing success in tributaries, it is certainly one of the most important. Understanding its effect on fish behavior—especially during spawning seasons—can dramatically increase your chances of a successful outing. By regularly monitoring water temperature and adjusting your fishing plans accordingly, you can turn a difficult day into a rewarding one. Pay attention to how water temperature fluctuates throughout the day, and use this knowledge to refine your fishing techniques. Ultimately, this will give you a better understanding of the fish’s behavior and help you target them more effectively.
Original Article By: Jay Peck
About The Author
Jay Peck is a fishing guide on the Lake Ontario tributaries. With 40+ years of fly fishing experience including 30 years as a licensed New York State guide, Jay has been applying his knowledge of the sport and local waters to help anglers in their pursuit of migratory fish, inland trout, and a variety of warm water species. Jay is also an accomplished spey caster and fly tyer. He has developed several fishing techniques and fly patterns for fishing the tributaries and inland trout streams. To learn more, check out Jay’s youtube channel, and get in touch with Jay at jaypeckguidesflyfishing.com.
