The first thing the angler needs to consider when freshwater fishing is what kind of fish is present and he wants to target. There’s a wide variety of different bodies of water and each requires a different approach and types of fishing.
From small mountain spring water streams to the wide and powerful rivers before they reach the sea, there’s a huge diversity of different habitats and fish species, living, breeding, and feeding in a diverse ecosystem.
The same goes for still water, from the neighborhood ponds to ancient spring-fed natural lakes, and man-made reservoirs, each has different conditions and requires fishermen to adapt and adjust to the environment.
This environment is the trout kingdom. They can be stocked rainbow trout our native brown trout. This is a very fragile environment and great care you be taken to protect the fish and release your catch as quickly as possible. This is sport fishing at its finest. Small tackle boxes, light lines, and finesse presentations are key for success. Trout have very sharp senses and the angler needs to be stealthy in his approach. Be mindful of your steps, look out to keep your shadow away from the fish.
Even though you can still find some trout, big trout actually, this is where chubs and barbels are living. These rivers are often forgotten by many anglers providing a great opportunity for an amazing fishing experience. These fish species will hit a lure, such as spinners as well as small crankbaits. They offer great summertime fishing opportunities when the heat is shutting down many other fish species, you can come and stay cool by wading in a river, under the shade canopy of big trees.
Further downstream, rivers get larger, boat traffic increases but pollution too after they flow through large cities. But they are a rich environment that offers a great habitat for a wider array of fish species. Perch, zander, pike, are some of the most sought-after fish species. It’s better to fish these rivers from a boat as most fish will be far away from the bank and private properties deny anglers easy access to the water. However water clarity varies greatly and fishing techniques are adjusted to the environment.
These are probably the easiest and most fun fishing spots. These are great to teach children the ropes of fishing. Bluegills, bass, perch, and the occasional pike are the species most commonly found in these diminutive lakes. From the bank or a float tube, pond fishing is every angler training ground.
Big or small, natural lakes have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. They typically have sparse cover and limited structure. However they can be deep and clear. We understand that they require a certain skill but the reward can be in the form of trophy size fish. Whether it’s pike, perch, or trout this is where the biggest fish live.
