Seasons
Time of year is the very first thing to consider when approaching any body of water. In winter the water turns cold, the fishes' metabolism slows way down and they tend to get lethargic. This cold water slows everything down. The fish move less and tend to stay in a comfortable place with reasonable water temperatures and decent oxygen content. If food is nearby or migrates through the area, that's a plus. During winter, fish do not feed as often and the feeding spree is likely to be for a shorter period of time. They will seek out food that is easy to catch.
Spring is the beginning of good times for fish and fisherman. The shallows begin to warm and thoughts of spawn control most activities for fish. Before the spawn, both males and females begin to feed to build up stamina. Once the spawn starts, fish are active defending the nest. Once the female lays her eggs, she becomes wary and leaves for the solitude of a deeper holding spot. Them most males defend the eggs and fry for a short time, then slip back into deeper water to recuperate themselves. After the resting period of a few days to a couple of weeks, both will be back on the prowl for food in the shallows. Even their own fry.
Summer brings warmer waters. Plankton and algae growth expands and the bait fish get active. This in turn sparks heavier feeding by the predator fish. Fish may feed in the shallows as well as at intermediate depths, dependent on the food source. When not feeding the fish typically move to deeper, cooler water to rest.
The Fall season begins when the cool nights start to drop water temperatures. The shallows cool off faster than the deep water so for a while in Fall the fish may prefer the deep water, to the shallows. Often, the lake will "turn over"; the warmer water comes to the surface as the colder surface waters plunge to the deep. As a result, oxygen levels, ph and temperatures are all out of balance. So are the fish. Stay home for a couple of weeks when this happens. If the weather stays nice for a few weeks after, the fish will feed heavily before moving into winter patterns.
Weather
As a rule, what the weather has been doing for the last 24 hours is more important than what is doing at the time you arrive at the lake. If the wind has been blowing it's important to know which direction. Heavy concentration of plankton collect along the banks where the wind is blowing into the bank. This attracts the bait which excites the predator fish. High concentrations of oxygen in the water is a result of the waves crashing into the shore. This added oxygen also makes the fish more active.
Knowing the barometric pressure trend can give you an insight to how active the fish might be. A falling barometer is the fisherman's best friend. The fish are generally the most active while the pressure is falling. If the pressure stays low the fish will eventually become lethargic and less active. On a rising pressure the fish are a bit more active than normal. During periods of high pressure you can expect the fish to become quite inactive, holding tight to cover in deeper water.
When it's cloudy, fish tend to get a bit more aggressive than normal, especially in shallow water. Rain can improve fishing or turn it off depending on the associated barometric pressure. Bright sunshine will cause the fish to move into shady areas when they are shallow but has little impact when they are deep. Hot and cold weather only have an accumulative effect. A cold rainy day during an otherwise warm season has little or no effect on the fish.
Food Sources
Be aware of the primary food source of the fish. The more you know about the bait, the more likely you are to properly imitate the food source. Knowing what time of year the crawfish have hard red shells versus soft green shells may help you choose lures and colors for the day. Knowing what time the shad die off due to quickly cooling water could also give you direction for lures, colors and presentation. Be aware of lizards, frogs and other food sources along the banks of the lake.
Water Levels
No matter what the lake level, the fish will adapt. But it is important to know if the level is rising, falling or remaining constant. As a general rule, fish move out and down when the lake level is falling. Look for fish on outside points during these conditions. Conversely, they move up and in when the water is rising. Look for them back inside coves and newly flooded shallows when levels are rising.
Local Knowledge
Check the fishing reports ahead of time and watch for trends. Visit the local bait and tackle store and ask questions. Spend some time at the boat ramp to ask anglers what they caught, where and how. Local fishing clubs might be willing to share knowledge to help you enjoy their favorite lake.
Lunar Phases
There is sufficient proof to acknowledge better feeding times during the day which seem to coincide to phases of the moon. From my own experience, I keep it simple. Major feeds tend to happen when the moon is directly overhead and when it is directly under you (180°). Minor feeds tend to happen when the moon is on the horizon, east or west. All you can do with this information is to be on a prime spot during major and minor feeds.
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