Currents may be produced by generation or by precipitation. Currents breaths life back into the lakes, rivers and streams we fish. If we can understand how currents affect fish, we may better understand where to look for fish and what techniques to use when current conditions change.

Currents rejuvenates reservoirs, rivers and streams by flushing them with fresh cool or warm water, which adds oxygen and nutrients into the water system. Currents stir up plankton and algae which stimulate baitfish and predator activity. Currents may be light, moderate or heavy, and fish relate to each in different ways. Fish become predictable in changing current. If the flow is light, they may suspend in the current. If the current is moderate or heavy, they may move behind objects on the bottom or near objects close to the shore. One of the favorite places fish seek shelter are eddies. They may also suspend in current breaks on the current down-side of a ledge or sand bar, especially if there are stumps, rocks or brush. In large rivers, fish can suspend in current breaks for long periods and feed facing upstream to snare baitfish coming with the flow. The back side of humps and islands are also great holding places during currents. Currents are not always the same at all levels in a body of water. Water tends to slow down along the bottom and on the surface dure to air and material friction allowing pockets of relief for fish.

As generation starts or right after a rain, fish respond to increased movement in the water by becoming more active. The bite tends to be best during the first hour, because during this time, the food source for baitfish is disturbed allowing feeding to take place with least amount of effort. Fish will continue to feed after the current subsides, but they will move off the bottom and away from cover and suspend in the water column, usually just above the thermocline because this is where the baitfish will be found. Baitfish will always dictate the location and level of activity of feeding fish. Baitfish may be moved by currents or by wind action. During increased current conditions, fish may also be caught in weedbeds adjacent to channel currents.

Some techniques used during increased current periods are vertical jigging, crankbaiting, spinnerbaiting and jig-pig. Maye some of you can add your own thoughts when fishing current conditions. Thanks.