How to Fish at the Lake

Prepare a vertical fishing rod and fishing line. If you're new to fishing, a 2-meter rod with a medium weight is a great choice. This rod setup is ideal for catching bass, lake trout, and pike. Attach the reel to the rod and thread the fishing line through the guides as directed for the specific rod model.

• Use a medium-strength rod if you’re aiming for catfish or trout.
• A vertical fishing rod is a good choice for beginners because they’re affordable and have a button mechanism that makes casting easy.

Choose a barb hook if you want to keep the fish. A simple barb hook is strong enough to hook most fish and is easier to remove from their mouths. If fishing regulations allow, you can also use a treble hook. This type of hook has three sharp points to hold the fish securely. Once you've chosen the right hook, you'll need to attach it to your fishing line.

• If you plan to keep the fish, make sure to check local regulations on the size of fish you’re allowed to keep to help conserve the fish population.

Use a barbless hook and a fish gripper if you plan to release the fish. Barbless hooks don’t have a V-shaped barb at the tip, allowing you to remove the hook without injuring the fish. Choose a single hook to minimize harm to the fish. Don’t forget to bring a fish gripper! This special tool is designed to safely remove the fish from the hook.

• If you don’t have a fish gripper, pliers can also be used to safely release the fish.

Bring both live bait and artificial lures. To increase your chances of catching fish, bring lures like fish-shaped plastic baits, spinnerbaits, and jigs. Common lake fish (such as lake trout and bass) are often attracted to these lures as they resemble small fish and shrimp, which are key components of the fish’s diet. If you prefer using live bait (worms, minnows, crickets, etc.), be sure to check local regulations first. When you're at the lake, hook the bait onto your hook.

• In the U.S., some states and regions like Oregon and Washington prohibit the use of live bait.
• If you're new to fishing, consider attaching a bobber to your line to help the bait move with the current and make it easier to detect when the fish bites.

Bring a net to scoop up the fish. Even if you plan to release the fish, bringing a net is essential. It’s the perfect tool to bring fish into shallow water, whether you intend to keep them for dinner or just take a quick photo before releasing them. Use a short-handled net for easier retrieval and choose one made of rubber to minimize the risk of injuring the fish.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and light colors. On hot days, a simple T-shirt and neutral-colored shorts or camouflage patterns work well. For footwear, opt for sturdy sandals and water shoes or rubber boots if you'll be standing in the water. In winter, wear long underwear, thermal socks, a long-sleeved shirt, and a rain jacket. Rubber boots or waders will help keep you warm. Don’t forget polarized sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself.

• If you're fishing from a boat, don’t forget to wear a life jacket.
• Avoid bright-colored clothing, as it might scare the fish away.

Purchase a fishing license, no matter where you fish. Guidelines may vary depending on the region, but all U.S. states require anglers to obtain a fishing license. You can visit your state's Fish and Wildlife website to purchase the license, or find a local shop that sells them (many tackle shops offer fishing licenses). You can either print the license or download a mobile version to present to local authorities when asked.

• The average fishing license fee is around $25.42 for residents and $61.52 for non-residents.
• Don’t forget to buy your license! You could face a fine if caught fishing without one.

Look for fish in areas with gravel and fallen branches. Fish tend to prefer spots where they can hide. For better chances, seek out areas with gravel piles, fallen branches, and logs.

Seek shaded areas with deep water to increase your chances of catching fish. Many lake fish, such as lake trout and stream trout, thrive in cooler environments. You can find cooler water in deep spots, where plenty of shade and foliage are present.

Check the inlet and outlet currents of the lake. These areas are where streams or currents flow into the lake. Fish often gather in these spots as the water is cooler and the constant flow brings a steady food supply.

Search for fish along the edges and steep slopes in man-made lakes. Man-made lakes, such as reservoirs, are typically created by building dams across nearby rivers and streams. If you're fishing in a man-made lake, look for fish near the shoreline and in areas with steep slopes (sometimes referred to as the bank area). These spots are often home to fish due to the deep waters and consistent food sources.

Look for fish in areas with abundant trees and foliage in natural lakes. Fish tend to gather in areas with plenty of hiding spots, so they often congregate around aquatic plants like willow moss, water lilies, and other aquatic vegetation. When fishing in natural lakes, aim for areas with lush aquatic plant life.

Fish early in the morning or late in the evening to improve your chances of success. If possible, start your fishing trip at dawn, before the sun rises too high. This gives you a better chance of catching fish because the water is cooler. If you're not an early riser, late afternoon or evening is also a great time to fish as the sun sets and the water cools.

Reel in the line until the bait is about 30 cm from the rod tip. Face the direction where you want to cast, grip the handle of the reel, and turn it counterclockwise. Stop when the bait is roughly 30 cm from the end of the rod.

Press the button on the reel and hold it down with your thumb. The fishing line will be cast when you release your thumb from the button. Keep your thumb firmly on the button to avoid accidentally letting go of the line.

Hold the rod straight up towards the sky and swing it behind your shoulder. This is the first step in casting the rod. Before you cast, look behind you to make sure there are no people or branches in the way.

Swing the rod forward while releasing your thumb to cast the line. Swing the rod, which is positioned behind your shoulder, forward and stop. At the same time, let go of your thumb from the button. The line will then fall into the water after this motion.

Watch the movement of the fishing line. After you cast the line, the next step is to wait for the fish to bite. To make sure you don't miss any bites, keep an eye on the bobber or the tip of the rod. If you see the bobber moving or feel the rod tip jerking, it’s likely a fish has taken the bait.

• Stay as quiet and still as possible while waiting for a bite. Loud noises and sudden movements could scare away any nearby fish.

Jig the bait to attract fish. Jigging is a special technique where you use a weighted hook with bait attached (known as a jig hook). After hooking the bait, simply lower the line into the water. The hook lets the bait sink to your desired depth. At this point, you’ll jig the rod up and down under the water (this is called jigging the bait).

• The jigging motion draws fish because it mimics the movement of creatures like shrimp and smaller fish (food sources for larger fish). This technique is effective for all types of fish, including salmon and bass.
• To experiment with jigging, try varying the speed of the bait's movement. Some fish are more attracted to movement than others.

Try trolling if you're fishing from a boat. Cast your bait behind the boat and let it drift with the current as the boat moves forward. This technique attracts fish by making them think the bait is a creature swimming (like smaller fish, a primary food source). While there are many variations of trolling, a simple and effective method is casting the line as far behind the boat as possible and letting it drift along with the boat.

• This method works for various types of fish but is particularly effective for salmon, bass, and walleye.
• Some anglers use a trolling motor to help cast further distances. This temporary tool attaches to the boat and allows you to keep the bait far enough to avoid scaring fish with noise.

Switch bait or locations if you haven't caught any fish. If you've been fishing for a while without any bites, try switching the bait. Simply reel in the line and replace the bait with another type. You can also try moving to a new spot. If possible, look for areas with more rocks and logs or find spots with varying depths (shallower or deeper than where you've been fishing).

• Sometimes even experienced anglers can spend hours without catching anything, so it's up to you how long you want to wait.
• If you're using artificial bait, try different sizes, shapes, or colors to see if a change attracts more fish.
• If you're using live bait, consider switching to a different type if you have one available.

Set the hook with a quick, firm motion as soon as you feel a bite. A hook set will drive the hook into the fish’s mouth. When you feel resistance at the tip of your rod or see the float sinking, it’s likely the fish has taken the bait. To set the hook, you’ll lift the rod with a quick, decisive motion.

Giữ căng dây câu và thu dây câu. Giữ cho dây câu căng bằng cách đè ngón tay lên dây cho căng sát vào cần, sau đó dùng tay thuận thu dây câu ngược chiều kim đồng hồ. Tiếp tục giơ cao cần và thu dây câu nhẹ nhàng và đều tay.

• Nếu con cá vùng vẫy để cố thoát ra, bạn hãy quay dây câu theo chiều kim đồng hồ để giảm sức căng, sau đó lại tiếp tục thu dây câu. Lặp lại động tác này cho đến khi con cá mệt sau một hồi chống chọi với bạn.

Dùng vợt để đưa con cá đến vùng nước nông. Khi đã thu dây câu, bạn hãy lấy vợt ra và lùa con cá vào vợt. Nếu định thả con cá đi, bạn phải giữ nó ở dưới nước (cá có thể chết dù chỉ lên khỏi mặt nước vài giây). Nếu có bạn đi câu cùng, bạn có thể nhờ họ giữ vợt để dễ thực hiện hơn.

Gỡ con cá ra và thả đầu cá xuống nước trước. Làm ướt tay trước khi cầm vào con cá. Lấy kẹp gỡ cá giữ lưỡi câu và cẩn thận gỡ ra khỏi miệng cá. Sau đó, bạn sẽ dìm con cá xuống nước, nhớ để đầu cá xuống trước (trong khi vẫn cầm con cá) để nước chảy vào miệng và mang cá. Tiếp tục cầm con cá bằng hai tay cho đến khi nó quẫy ra và tự bơi đi.

• Nếu lưỡi câu bị mắc kẹt trong miệng cá, bạn hãy để lưỡi câu trong miệng nó và lấy kéo cắt dây câu. Lưỡi câu sẽ tự động trôi ra sau vài ngày, như vậy con cá sẽ không bị chảy máu và đau khi bạn cố gắng gỡ lưỡi câu ra.
• Nếu muốn chụp ảnh trước khi thả con cá, bạn nên chụp thật nhanh. Chỉ nhấc con cá lên khỏi mặt nước một chút và nhờ bạn chụp hộ, sau đó dìm nó xuống nước và đừng cầm chặt.

Gỡ lưỡi câu và giết con cá nếu bạn muốn giữ con cá. Đầu tiên, bạn sẽ lấy kẹp gỡ cá kẹp vào lưỡi câu và lấy ra khỏi miệng cá, sau đó nhanh chóng dùng chày đập vào mình cá cho nó bất tỉnh. Khi con cá đã bất tỉnh, bạn sẽ dùng dao đâm qua não cá để giết nó.

• Đập và giết cá khi nó bất tỉnh là cách xử lý nhân đạo hơn là để cho nó chết ngộp trên bờ.
• Nếu không có chày, bạn có thể dùng bất cứ vật nào cùn để đập cá.

Làm sạch và bảo quản cá để đảm bảo an toàn vệ sinh thực phẩm. Ngay sau khi giết chết con cá, bạn cần bảo quản cá trong thùng cách nhiệt với nhiều đá và nước để giữ tươi trong khi tiếp tục câu cá. Để giữ độ tươi tối đa, tốt nhất là bạn nên mọi ruột cá ngay khi về đến nhà. Nếu không làm được ngay, bạn có thể cất con cá vào tủ lạnh và moi ruột cá trong vòng 2 ngày để tránh bị hỏng.

• Để giữ cho cá được tươi, bạn phải đảm bảo độ lạnh trong thùng đá luôn nằm trong khoảng 0-4 độ C.

• Before you go fishing, familiarize yourself with the local fishing laws and regulations. Additional details about fish size limits and other rules can be found on your local government’s website.
• For added safety, it's advisable to bring along a first aid kit in case you need medical supplies such as bandages or other essentials while at fishing locations.

• Don’t be discouraged if you don’t catch any fish on your first fishing trip! Fishing takes practice and patience to master. Embrace the adventure, and soon enough, you’ll be reeling in fish.
• Bring a tackle box to keep all your fishing gear neatly organized. Storing everything in one container will keep things tidy and easy to access. Plus, it will allow room to carry extra hooks and bait.