You may know The Old Farmer's Almanac as a resource for long-range weather predictions or maybe even gardening tips, but did you know they can also predict the best fishing days for the year?
This date-specific information is calculated based on the weather, sun, moon and tides. When looked at all together, they can offer insights into the best days to catch a fish. While this data provides no guarantees of a successful bounty — talent and skill are also required — this fishing forecast can help increase your odds of a bait and hook.
How to Predict Good Fishing
The simplest and easiest way to predict a better bite is to look at the cycle of the moon. Fishing tends to be best between a new moon and a full moon, which encompasses roughly 14 days of the month. This is because the moon influences the tide.
The preferred tide for fishing is a moving tide, the flux period between a high and low tide. This interim occurs between a new moon and a full moon (when tides are at their highest) and a first quarter and third quarter moon (when tides are at their lowest).
During a moving tide, bait is swept around, ushering fish to feed, making it a great time to cast your lure in the water since fish are on the hunt.
While this phenomenon can be witnessed most closely in saltwater fishing, rivers and lakes also experience this flux on a much smaller scale.
Best Fishing Dates
- January: 1-13, 29-31
- February: 1-12, 27, 28
- March: 1-14, 29-31
- April: 1-11, 25-30
- May: 1-12, 26-31
- June: 1-11, 25-30
- July: 1-10, 24-31
- August: 1-9, 23-31
- September: 1-7, 21-30
- October: 1-6, 21-31
- November: 1-5, 20-30
- December: 1-4, 19-31
Kate (she/her) is the associate editor of The Pioneer Woman Magazine. She writes features, commerce, and travel content. Kate brings nearly five years of home, food, and lifestyle experience to the role, including time as editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping. Her bylines have appeared in Woman’s Day, Food Network Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Dream Kitchens & Baths, and more. When she’s not writing, Kate can be found lazing in the park with a sudoku in hand.
