Spring rains can be a game-changer for anglers. While some fishermen shy away from wet conditions, seasoned anglers know that rain can stir up the water, activate baitfish, and make predators more aggressive. However, it also brings challenges—rising water levels, murky conditions, and shifting fish patterns. Understanding how rain affects fish behavior and adjusting your tactics accordingly can turn a tough day into a productive one.
1. Understanding How Rain Impacts Fish Behavior
Spring rain does more than just get you wet; it actively reshapes the fishing environment:
- Increased Water Levels: Rising water floods new areas, giving fish access to previously dry shoreline vegetation and structure.
- Decreased Water Clarity: Muddy runoff from rain reduces visibility, making it harder for fish to spot lures.
- Oxygenation & Cooling: Rain introduces fresh, oxygen-rich water, making fish more active and willing to feed.
- Current & Flow Changes: Heavy rain can create stronger currents in rivers and streams, affecting where fish hold and feed.
- Baitfish Movement: Rain runoff washes insects, worms, and small baitfish into the water, triggering feeding frenzies.
Knowing how these factors influence fish behavior helps you adapt your approach.
2. Where to Find Fish After a Rainfall
Fish don’t disappear when it rains; they relocate. Here’s where to focus your efforts:
Lakes & Ponds
- Shallow Flooded Areas: Rising water pushes fish into newly submerged vegetation and shoreline cover. Target bass and panfish in these zones.
- Near Runoff Inflows: Small creeks or ditches feeding into a lake create current and bring fresh food sources. This is a prime spot for feeding bass and catfish.
- Deeper Structures: If a storm has just passed, some fish retreat to deeper water until conditions stabilize. Look for drop-offs and submerged timber.
Rivers & Streams
- Eddies & Slack Water: Heavy rain increases current speed. Fish will hold in areas with less current, such as behind rocks, fallen trees, and river bends.
- Mouths of Tributaries: Freshwater runoff brings baitfish and nutrients, drawing in predator species like walleye and smallmouth bass.
- Undercut Banks: Rain erosion can create small pockets along the riverbank, which become natural ambush points for predatory fish.
3. Best Lures and Baits for Rainy Conditions
With murky water and changing currents, lure selection is key. You’ll want baits that are highly visible, create vibration, and match what fish are feeding on.
For Murky or Stained Water
- Spinnerbaits: The flashing blades create vibration and draw fish from a distance.
- Chatterbaits: Perfect for low-visibility conditions, as they produce heavy vibration and noise.
- Dark-Colored Soft Plastics: Black, blue, and dark green baits create a strong silhouette in muddy water.
For Clearer Post-Rain Conditions
- Topwater Baits: A light drizzle or steady rain can trigger explosive topwater strikes, especially from bass and pike. Try a popper or buzzbait.
- Jerkbaits: When fish are holding in slack water, a slow-sinking jerkbait mimicking a struggling baitfish can be deadly.
- Live Bait: Worms, minnows, and crickets get washed into the water after a rain, making them a perfect natural option.
4. Adjusting Your Fishing Techniques
Modify Your Retrieve
- In muddy water, slow down your retrieve to give fish more time to locate your bait.
- Use erratic movements to mimic injured baitfish—jerkbaits and crankbaits work well for this.
- Increase vibration and noise—spinnerbaits and rattling lures can help fish track your bait.
Use the Right Gear
- Heavier Line: Rising water levels mean stronger currents and more debris, so opt for 12-20 lb test line.
- Braided Line for Visibility: If fishing murky water, bright-colored braided line (yellow or green) can help you track your lure.
- Longer Rods: A 7’0” or longer rod allows for better casting distance and control in high-water conditions.
5. Timing Your Trips: When to Fish Before, During, and After Rain
Before the Rain
- Fish often feed aggressively before a storm as the barometric pressure drops.
- Focus on reaction baits like crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwater lures.
During the Rain
- Light rain can trigger fish to move shallow and become more active.
- Target flooded shorelines and creek inflows where bait is getting washed in.
After the Rain
- Water clarity may be reduced, so switch to high-vibration lures.
- If the water level is still rising, fish newly submerged cover like logs, grass, and rock piles.
Final Thoughts
Spring rain is not a reason to stay home—it’s an opportunity to catch more fish if you adjust your tactics. Rising water and murky conditions force fish to move and feed differently, but by targeting inflows, flooded vegetation, and slack water, you can capitalize on the changes.
Next time rain is in the forecast, grab your rain gear, adjust your lures, and head to the water. You might just have one of your best fishing days yet!
