There's a brand new bridge being built on a local small river that I have targeted smallies, walleye, and sauger on.  I've done well around bridges in the past due to them having some of the deeper water on the river but is a brand new bridge going to be something that fish relate to right away or will it take some time for them to be there?  Wondering how everyone on here would approach this, is it going to take a few seasons for the fish to be there or do you think fishing it right away is worth my time?

They should relate to any new structure pretty quickly. I’ve seen bass in new eddies while cranes and other construction equipment is still working on the site.

gah..i am about to build a new bridge across a slough in the California Delta.  i will fish there when i can, since the contractor will probably need to clear a space at the banks to lower gear and stuff.  off hours, that will be my kayak launch!!

 

my biologists said it depends on the foundation. if they are driving piles the noise runs them off for a long time...or kills some.  even drilled foundations make a mess.  

 

 

5 hours ago, Scott F said:

They should relate to any new structure pretty quickly. I’ve seen bass in new eddies while cranes and other construction equipment is still working on the site.

Yep.

 

Trees knocked into rivers by storms often start collecting fish in just a couple days.

Good to see you on here again @walt-14...been a while

53 minutes ago, Further North said:

Yep.

 

Trees knocked into rivers by storms often start collecting fish in just a couple days.

I’ve always heard that as well, green trees draw instantly 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve always heard that as well, green trees draw instantly 

I'm not sure if it's instant, but it's not long.

We fished the same river three days apart last summer, and in one spot a decent sized maple had tipped into the current from a storm the night after our first float.

There was a musky hanging out in the branches...my fishing partner missed the hookset...