River Fishing/Seasonal Rivers

In the northeast united states, smaller streams spend much of the year around 50°F. They lack the powerful currents needed to gauge deep pools in the bedrock. Most of the year these smaller waters are optimal for trout during the fall-spring seasons. Trout populations are often heavily stocked. However, once the summer begins, temperatures rise. Abundant insect life, from its many shallow reaches, offer good minnow populations and warm-water fish cautiously push upstream. By early summer a considerable diversity of game fish can lie in a smaller stream that had nothing but trout in early spring. This water can be considered a 'seasonal' river since it hosts similar fisheries than a much larger river. Care must also be taken to gauge temperature in these waters. Game fish and trout in particular are harmed and stressed more easily in the presence of heat. Naturally being a smaller body of water temperatures rise quicker.

Differences with Rivers

There are some similarities in fishing seasonal rivers. Fisheries have similar needs and preferences on all waters and often react similar ways to current and food. However, Fishing these smaller waters does call for a similar yet different approach. Listed in some dominant differences.