I often see bluegill when bass fishing. And I notice, they pretty much do the same stuff no matter what, at least as far as I can tell. I am not actively targeting them, so I can't say for sure, but they don't seem nearly as fickle as bass.

 

So, how do other species react to all of the variables that affect bass?

 

How do cold fronts affect other species?

 

How does current affect other species?

 

 

I was about to quote you but my keyboard zapped me.

I blaming @Glenn

Either way, I am pretty sure the answer to your questions is rather involved

I'm certainly not qualified to be the one to attack it.

But I am glad that I bump into a few 'other species' several times a season.

It's a hoot. 

A-Jay

 

 

In many of the lakes I frequent, sunfish are a primary forage for largemouth. At certain times of the year, I look for schools of sunfish and focus my efforts there.

 

As for other game fish species like the ones @A-Jay posted above, their behavior often differs significantly from species of bass. Some require colder, more oxygenated water. Some do better in current. Some can see better at night. Some are solitary predators and some gather in schools. Lots of factors.

 

I took an ickthyology class in college and learned about all the common freshwater species. We also did some electro fishing in a river and stream.

Thanks, @A-Jay and @gim. I guess my question is broad, but also specific.

 

When I said: "How do cold fronts affect other species?" I suppose my question really is not How, but rather, Do cold fronts affect all other species?

 

Without having any knowledge of most species, I would guess that it varies highly between species.

 

Gim, that's awesome that you took ichthyology class.

 

Those are beautiful A-Jay. Love the trout.

Guess they didn’t teach spelling in your ichthyology class, eh @gim?? 

 

Spelling police is on early morning patrol 

 

David Etnier taught mine, he ended up being a fairly notable character. He discovered the snail darter that ended up taking TVA to the Supreme Court. And he was from Minnesota 

 

https://www.knoxnews.com/obituaries/kns058203

 

@Bazoo - I think the answer depends whether you are predator or prey (or both).  I'm sure that @T-Billy can talk all about how muskies are affected by sudden cold snaps in late summer/early fall and unstable weather (I'm pretty sure they turn on pretty good).  Pike definitely heat up when it is cold water.  Pickerel seem unaffected by anything- they eat anything that looks like a minnow in hot/cold/sunny/cloudy/stable/unstable/pre- and post- frontal.  

I don’t fish for crappie until after the first hard frost.  Certain species will bite in the cold water but they all have to eat.  Just look at what gets pulled through the ice. 😉

6 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

@T-Billy can talk all about how muskies are affected by sudden cold snaps in late summer/early fall and unstable weather (I'm pretty sure they turn on pretty good).

That they do!!! It's the exact opposite in spring.

I tried to spell ichthyology like 10 times in my previous thread and the auto correct wouldn’t recognize it every time. I finally just gave up and spelled it how I had it.

I just read through that link about Etnier.

 

Ironically, I went to college in St Cloud, MN and grew up not far from his hometown, Watertown.

 

And just so everyone can be impressed, I got an A in ichthyology. 

He was a great guy, his fishing method was a ball of nightcrawlers on bottom haha

14 hours ago, gim said:

grew up not far from his hometown, Watertown.

 

Bro!

 

You talking about the Bullhead capital of the world?

 

I went there when I was a kid.

 

I've never seen anything like it and probably never will again.

 

Had a fish every cast.

I think you're thinking of Waterville.  Not Watertown.

Note A-jays winter gear with the brown trout. The biggest difference between species, is between cold water species and warm water species. Bass and bluegill are both warm water fish. So they will both be active at a similar water temp and will react similarly to conditions that change the water temp. 

That’s why I love fishing! Every species have their own quirks about them. I have 120 different species I’ve caught. From sharks and tuna to pond shiners.  Tuna  fishermen often use the shadow of their boat. Steelhead love cloudy  cold weather and can be super line shy.  Striped bass love horrible rough surf.