River Fish Are Biters

By Bob Jensen

Rivers are popular early season fishing locations.  They open up earlier than lakes, and in many places, the rivers never freeze over.  They offer open water fishing when lakes are ice-covered.  Many of us fish those rivers until lake fishing is available.  We then focus our efforts on lakes.  I have learned that that’s a mistake.  Remember that the small, medium, and large rivers that criss-cross North America can provide good fishing year ’round.  Wherever you live, there’s probably a river nearby.  Here’s how you can get in on the fishing action in that river when the weather is warm.

In addition to hungry fish, there are other reasons why fishing in a river during the summer is a good idea.  The fishing can be very simple.  In many rivers, you won’t need a boat.  In fact, in many of the smaller rivers, you couldn’t get a boat in the water.  Many of these rivers have stretches that are too shallow to float a boat.  A spinning rod, a few lures, and waders or old tennis shoes are all you need to go fishing.  If you’re wading, it’s a good idea to take a fishing friend along, just in case you need some help.  

Sometimes in the summer, fishing in lakes can get tough.  Maybe it’s due to an abundance of food for the predator fish, or maybe weather has slowed the fishing down.  The fish in rivers however, just keep eating.  Rivers have current, so fish in rivers are constantly using energy to contend with that current.  To keep their energy levels up, they need to eat more often.  Fish that need to eat more often are more prone to eat our lures.  

Because of the current, it’s a good idea to remember that most of the time a fish that wants to eat will be facing upstream.  Therefore, it works well to present your bait so it’s working downstream or cross current.  By doing so, the fish will be able to see it better.  Also, any wounded minnow, bug, or crawdad will be moving downstream, so this is a very natural presentation.

There are times when working upstream is better.  This is most noticeable when trolling crankbaits.  Troll crankbaits upstream, going faster as the water warms.  A #5 Salmo Hornet is a killer in rivers.

If you’re a shore or wading angler, look for areas that have deeper water near by.  In small rivers, deep water might be only four or five feet deep.  Concentrate your efforts on cover near deep water.  Most river predators will hang out around anything that breaks the current flow.

Wade upstream to reduce the chance of stirring up the bottom and alerting the downstream fish to your presence.  Also, fish at water level instead of being profiled against the sky on the bank above the water.  Overhead movement will spook fish.

A jig tipped with a Rage Grub will usually do the job.  When it comes to color, many river anglers count on white, chartreuse, or orange Grubs.  If a fish is in a mood to eat, it will often hit regardless of lure color.  When they’re not so hungry though, lure color can make a difference in your catch.

Rivers are abundant across North America.  Their inhabitants are willing eaters and strong fighters.  That should be enough to encourage anyone who wants to go fishing to try a river this summer.