Scattered showers and storms are often a threat during summers in Iowa. But when the forecast calls for storms, don't put away the poles just yet! Sometimes, stormy weather can trigger a strong bite. My outdoors notes show several entries from summertime events where the fishing was slim pickings until an hour or two before a strong storm. My meteorological theory is the fish are responding to a combination of pressure and cloud cover changes. Under high pressure, the sky is often bright blue and the sun's rays can pierce deep into the water column. Fish often seek deep pools and hold tight to cover, making them hard to catch. But when a storm approaches, cloud cover obscures the sun and light levels are weaker. Falling pressure often increases the wind adding a chop on the water's surface. This will stir up the baitfish activity while also giving the game fish concealment from natural predators. Dropping barometric pressure adds an instinctive urge to feed before the storm. Most animals try stocking up on food to ride out the storm, so even inactive fish sometimes will feed before a strong low pressure.
Give it a try, but do be safe. Anytime you're on the water and you can hear thunder, it's time to call it a day. Lightning is transmitted very easily through water, and if you're in a boat you're the tallest thing out there! So next time you're watching Central Iowa's Most Accurate Forecast, and we're forecasting a chance of storms, that also means there's a chance of some really good fishing right before those storms. Enjoy!
