Signs of Fall at Settlement Canyon Reservoir, Tooele, UT
Signs of Fall are know starting to appear. This picture was taken a week ago on September 17th of Settlement Canyon Reservoir in Tooele, Utah.
Fall months mean the water temperature at the surface will be cooler, vegetation along the shoreline will be dying off and driving cover seeking fish such as bass to lower layers of vegetation. Colder surface waters will contribute to great surface hits as cold water fish are moving out of the cold deep.
Fall months mean that fish activity will increase as fish begin stocking up energy to survive the upcoming winter months. During the winter months, food source is very limited and oxygen decreases and fluctuates within the lake as vegetation dies off. This results in harsher conditions for the fish as the water becomes murky. Fish populations focus on conserving energy and seek cover or structure for protection. During these conditions, bait presentation and slow lure retrieve is key to triggering a strike. The fish will only expel energy on prey fish that will not only replenish the expelled energy used to strike the bait but to gain energy.
The increased fish activity during the Fall months means fish are at all levels of the water column and using a quick lure retrieve will trigger strikes. The key to Fall fishing is using a swim bait that mimics targeted fish favorite food source. When fishing for Pike, utilizing a Trout type swim bait will result in numerous strikes since Pike love to feed on Trout. For larger Trout, lures that mimic minnows and other small prey fish work well. Worms and insects type baits will work great for panfish.
Fall months also mean the summer homes are changing and fish are heading away from shore. As vegetation withers away, bass and other cover seeking fish species are heading deeper and deeper to remain with the surviving vegetation as Winter moves in. As Fall weather moves in, fishing around locations where shallow water drops off to deeper water are a good idea. Fish will head deep during Fall weather patterns but will remain active while they focus on building energy.
Another benefit of the cooler Fall weather is that less people are out fishing and fish are staying hungry. Take of advantage of the colder nights and take advantage of the increased activity.