Fishing is one of those great pastimes that you can do alone or in a group. If you’re not a professional fisherman, it’s a relaxing activity to do when you want to unwind.
I love going on overnight fishing trips with my friends. It gives us a chance to fish at our own pace and during a time that suits us. Personally, I like to wake up early and fish during those early hours after sunrise.
The first time we went out to fish, I was surprised to find a couple of my friends only like to fish at night. The first question that popped into my head was: Is it legal to fish at night?
So, I decided to do a bit of research. In this article, I’ll share with you all the interesting information, facts, and tips I found.
Fishing at Night: Is It Legal?
Depending on which state you’re a resident of, you may have heard some pretty weird fishing laws.
For example, if you live in Chicago, you might know that it’s illegal to fish in your pajamas! In Ohio, it’s actually illegal to get a fish drunk! I’d love to know the story behind passing that law.
When it comes to fishing at night though, you’ll find that it’s, in fact, legal in most states. That’s provided you follow the wildlife department rules and regulations of the state you’re fishing in.
This is important as these regulations differ from one state to the next.
Things You Need to Know Before You Go Night Fishing
After confirming that it’s legal to fish at night in your state, there are a few things you need to consider before going night fishing.
You Need a License
Just because you’re doing it under the blanket of the night sky, doesn’t mean you can get away with it. You still need a fishing license to fish at night, so make sure you have all that in order.
You Need to Have Safety Gear
In the shadows of the night, especially if the moon isn’t bright enough, you’re unfortunately more prone to accidents. To reduce those chances, make sure you have proper night fishing safety gear.
Get a life jacket. You should always have it on, along with a light. This can be a lamp, a flashlight, a headlight, whichever you prefer. It’s also a good idea to have a pocket knife handy and an emergency blanket.
Last but not least, always carry an emergency kit as well, in case you need any fast first aid response.
You Need to Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It doesn’t make a difference whether you’re bank fishing or boat fishing. In either case, you need to be very careful of your surroundings.
Even if you’re familiar with the spot where you’ll be fishing, the lack of sunlight can make you disoriented. This is why you should always always be careful and watch where you’re going both on land and in water.
You Need to Check the Weather
Getting caught in a thunderstorm during the day may not be a big concern, particularly if you’re a seasoned angler. But, if it’s at night, it becomes a concern. Especially if you’re boat fishing and will have to get back to shore.
You should always check the weather before heading out to fish. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises on the weather front.
Benefits of Fishing at Night
Apart from the fact that it’s calmer and quieter under the night sky, not to mention you’ll avoid getting sunburnt in the summer, there are a few advantages you’ll enjoy when you go night fishing.
Better Chance of Catching Fish
Though generally, fish are more active in light, there are many instances where you find that nighttime is actually when they’re active.
For example, during the hot summer months, the sun may be too strong sometimes, causing the water to be warm. This drives the fish to go deeper into the water, which makes it more challenging to catch them in the morning.
Come nightfall though, the fish come up closer to the surface, so your probability of catching is significantly higher. This is especially true if you’re bank fishing.
You may wonder if fish will be able to see your bait at night. You should know that fish rely on more than just their sight to track and find food. They make use of their other senses, such as their sense of smell and sonar, so no worries there.
Moreover, there are some fish species that are more active at night such as yellow perch and some catfish. The reason for this is that larger fish that may prey on them are not so active at night. Accordingly, if you’re looking to fish for those then night fishing should be ideal for you.
Less Noise and Competition
Another benefit of fishing at night is the fact that you’ll probably have fewer fellow anglers to compete with. This means more fish for you to catch, or at least you’ll have better chances.
Not only that, but fishing at night also means there are fewer crowds to scare the fish away. There aren’t any swimmers, surfers, jet skies, and such. Nor are there kids playing watersports, or loud music. All this makes it a better environment for fishing.
Night Fishing Tips
These tips will help make your night fishing endeavors more successful.
Use Moving Bait
Since fish rely more on their sonar sense at night, keeping your bait moving will catch their attention faster.
Get a Sensitive Fishing Rod
Using a sensitive line and rod is a great advantage at night. It’ll help you react faster, as you’ll be relying less on your sight.
Head Towards Murky Waters
If you’re using a boat, it’s a smart idea to head to the murky parts, as these are where the fish love to hide.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that fishing at night really depends on you, and your fishing preferences. Apart from being relaxing, night fishing can be beneficial in terms of better chances of actually catching fish!
However, if you do decide to go for it make sure you check your local wildlife rules and that you have the proper licensing.