What is your opinion on the effect of moon phases on fishing? I've done several different types of fishing, IE: saltwater, fresh, river, lake, and I've never been able to notice any difference. Other factors seem to have a greater effect. Most other fisherman I've talked to also feel this way and don't make any plan changes to take it into consideration. If they want to fish- they f{1}****hanks for your input!

Being that I mainly fish in saltwater, I believe moon phases effect fishing. I think the best fishing takes place in the four days preceding the full moon, and the four days after the new moon. The periods of the new and full moons exert the greatest force on the oceans, and are known as spring tides. Water movement is greater than any other time during the cycle, creating extreme high and low tides. The increased water movement creates opportunities for predatory fish. Therefore, if you know the area well where your fishing, you'll know where to set up and take advantage of this occurence. I belive this has the same effect on larger bodies of freshwater lakes, such as the Great Lakes, I'm not sure how moon phases effect smaller lakes and such.

Great point Vito...moon phases can mean everything to one angler...and almost nothing to the next. The ocean's tide is a direct result of the moon's location in relation to the earth. Now for me, fishing in a 3 acre swamp, the only effect the moon has is enhancing light for nighttime fishing. Funny thing is, I still find myself checking those moon tables!
                                                                                                                  

There are some "experts" that insist that the moon phase has a large effect on fishing. I have found in going over my catch logs that weather has a much greater effect on fishing than the moon. That said, there are species that are more nocturnal and the moon phase will effect the time of day that they feed. When I fish Lk Michigan (which does not have appreciable tides) the King salmon which feed in low light shut off like clockwork when the moon sets. Seems they won't feed in total darkness or bright sunlight but like walleye prefer low light conditions. Doug Hannon, who "invented" the solunar table, insists that his logs show his biggest bass coming at the new and full moon. That may be but I have never seen that extended to multiple species. One item: the salt water guys were using tide charts to plan their fishing long before anyone published a moon times chart, and the tides are directly related to the position of the moon and to a lesser degree the sun.

LMAO @ Mo...Dude...your too funny! 3 acre swamp! LOL

Barresi...where are you getting these cool avatars? I was serious about that swamp! No kiddin'...it's about 3 acres with a maximum depth of maybe three feet. My heaviest fish from that hole was a 26lb. flathead. How do they get through winter?
                                                                                                                                                                    

I go to Google and type in fishing avatars...then save to my photos, then upload to profile picture.

mo65's question about the flathead making it through the winter is interesting. I was always of the belief that most species of cat can go dormant under certain circumstances but that doesn't explain the pond at the end of my street. It also is maybe 3 acres but a bit deeper, say 8-10 feet at the deepest. In the 12 years I have been living here, I have yet to see any evidence of a winter kill and the pond is loaded with small bass along with bluegill, some perch and crappie along with an abundance of carp and a smattering of Northern Pike. It is fun seeing the expression on an unsuspecting angler's face when they hook one of the resident pike!

Hey PG, like your pond down the street, there are bass in my swamp also. And 'gills and crappie. Where I am, we usually don't have much more than a thin layer of ice, but every couple years or so we WILL get a good freeze. Now I know it takes longer than 2 or 3 years to make a 26lb. cat, or a 6.5lb. bass, my biggest to date from there. I have pulled out quite a few 5lb. plus bass also. There is a good population of lunkers...so there's no way they're freezing out. Something else that's for sure...they don't bite right now either. Like you said, they're sort of dormant right now, just as cold as that water. The photo at top shows the swamp in the fall, the one below was taken in late July, when the duckweed covers the entire surface. Can you say "topwater frog fishing"?

Nice pics of your swamp Mike..lol. Are u allowed a Jon / row boat on it?

Posted By Barresi on 11 Jan 2012 04:36 PM
Nice pics of your swamp Mike..lol. Are u allowed a Jon / row boat on it?

Yep...but I stay on the bank. I tried the boat, and I think it spooked the fish. It's not like a big lake, where they get used to boat traffic.

Posted By mo65 on 11 Jan 2012 01:55 PM
Barresi...where are you getting these cool avatars? I was serious about that swamp! No kiddin'...it's about 3 acres with a maximum depth of maybe three feet. My heaviest fish from that hole was a 26lb. flathead. How do they get through winter?
                                                                                                                                                                    

That's a good question for the Dr. Hal Schramm, NAFC Fisheries Biologist!