How the weather has an impact on fish

Fish, like other animals, strongly react to the weather. They are sensitive to passing fronts and pressure changes, so some days are better than others. There are some factors to consider before cast your lure:

Temperature

Fish are cold-blooded. This means that they don't maintain a constant internal body temperature; instead, their temperature is influenced by their environment. Very high or very low temperature limits the movement of fish. In warm water, enzymes that digest the food a fish eats are more active and fish eat more often. In cold water, it takes a while for a fish meal to be completely digested and utilized and the fish are less inactive. The best water temperature range of different species of fish in different areas it can vary. We can follow this table:

Species	Preferred Temperatures
Brown Trout	10-18 C
Rainbow Trout	12-16 C
Marble Trout	10-18 C
Grayling	10-16 C
Northern Pike	12-20 C
Perch	12-22 C
Sturgeon	14-18 C
Bream	10-16 C

This table is based on observation and research, as we said it can vary, but we can say the best water temperature for fishing is between 10 and 20 C.

Oxygen

Oxygen is necessary for many forms of life including fish. Fish use oxygen in respiration, similar to organisms on land, and get oxygen through their gills. Dissolved oxygen enters the water through the air or from the plants. The aeration of water can be caused by wind (creating waves), rapids, waterfalls, ground water discharge or other forms of running water. Dissolved oxygen is also produced as a waste product of photosynthesis from weed and other aquatic plants. Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water, hot summer temperatures can heat water so it won’t hold enough oxygen to maintain fish life. Dissolved oxygen levels can range from less than 1 mg/L to more than 20 mg/L depending on how all of these factors interact. In freshwater systems such as lakes, rivers and streams, dissolved oxygen concentrations will vary by season, location and water depth. Fresh water fish prefers waters rich of oxygen and tempt to avoid the areas where the oxygen level is less than 5mg/L.
Oxygen content, water temperature and barometric pressure go hand in hand.

Atmospheric Pressure

Amospheric pressure, is also knows as barometric pressure, is the force exerted by the atmosphere on the earth. Whit high pressure (H) the sky clear with generally bright light conditions. During this time, fish activity is generally slower, as the fish find cover or swim into deeper water. This is a good moment for jigging or attractive baits.
Instead, with low pressure (L) the sky is overall cloudy and the fishing conditions are better, fish is generelly more active in the shallow water. If there is a high pressure area and a low pressure area, we will expect a movement of air from one to another area, this produce wind.

Wind

Wind, if is moderate, can be a fisherman’s friend, the waves generate from the wind reduce the visibility underwarter, so the fish can't see properly the bite, moreover the wind can break out the food chain. You should cast in the same direction of the wind, fishing is easier and the bait moves with the wind.

An old proverb says:

Wind from the West, fish bite the best.
Wind from the East, fish bite the least.
Wind from the North, do not go forth.
Wind from the South blows the bait in their mouth.

It is never wrong to listen what our forefathers said.

Rain

Even rain, like the wind, can be fisheraman friend. Like wind has to be moderate, rain has to be light and steady to offer the best conditions. Insects are inclined to move on the water surface during or after a light rain, this "irresistible food" bring the fish closest to the surface becoming more active. During the summer the water is warmer, and the oxygen gets low, with rain the water gets aerated. At this stage is easier to catch a nice fish.

Conclusion

Choose the fishing trip based on the weather conditions can make a big difference in the final result. Low pressure, some clouds and small wind from west can be really helpful, those are the best conditions for a fishing day because fish is more inclined to eat.
It is very important to check the forecast the day before, in certain condition of bad weather the fishing experience is poor, besides can be as well really dangerous. Avoid any kind of fishing in a conditions of weather alert, especially if there are thunders and lightnings on the way.
A good habit is to wear always a life jacket, better if is both manual and automatic, when we are near the water. Doesn't matter if is a stream, a river, a shore or a lake, sometime what can happen is out of our control. Safe first!