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Shore Fishing on Stillwaters? 3 Tips for Catching more Fish

Jan 06, 2021

Is there a time and place for shore fishing on stillwaters?

The long and short of it is... YES! However, we have to understand the when, where, why and how of shore fishing on lakes. Not all lakes are created equal, and knowing the ins and outs of lake structure is going to help you immensely when it comes to successfully fishing without a boat. 

Before we go any further... I will say that having a watercraft of some sort  is absolutely imperative for fly fishing stillwaters. Unless you live or fish somewhere that it is not permitted to have a watercraft, or not applicable, having a boat really just opens up a ton of doors when it comes to finding (and catching) fish. 

Find lakes that are shore fishable! 

It's important to find stillwaters that have shoreline structure that is conducive to shore fishing. Many lakes that are nutrient-rich will feature a soft, muddy bottom that is far from ideal for wading. They will also typically have fairly shallow gradient leading out to the drop-off or transition from shallow to deep water. While these are not ideal for shore fishing, you can find lakes that have a rocky or hard bottom and cater better to shoreline fishing. 

Find areas that allow you to access deep water

Fish, like humans, are wired to survive first and do everything else second. This means that they cannot put feeding higher on the priority list than staying safe, alive and away from danger. Fish will often use deep water as a comfortable retreat to safety, and shallow water to consume their food. 

Finding shoreline areas that position you close to these drop-offs or transition areas will allow you to intercept fish as they are moving from deep water into shallow water to feed. Oftentimes feeding trout are found in less than 20 feet of water, making shoreline fishing a viable option if you can find an appropriate area. 

Find them when they're feeding

Early in the spring and again in the late fall months, fish will be found feeding in shallow water on staple foods such as scuds, leeches, immature damsels, waterboatmen and chironomids in both the larval and pupal stages. Fishing the times of year when fish are likely to be in the shallow water feeding is going to drastically increase your chances of finding fish from shore. 

Hopefully this helps, and I couldn't be more excited to share something I've been cooking up with my friend (and stillwater master) Phil Rowley later this month! If you are a stillwater enthusiast, you will absolutely love it!

Listen to today's episode below:

 

 
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