Blog Home
Tackle & Gear
Buying Guides
Fly Fishing
Bass
Crappie & Panfish
Salmon & Steelhead
Trout
Ice Fishing
All Categories
Authors

Summer Fishing Tips: 6 Ways to Catch More Fish in Hot Weather

By: FishUSA Staff

June 19, 2025

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous summer day on the water? While sunny skies and calm conditions are great for boaters, they can make fishing tough. In this article, we’ll break down 6 essential summer fishing tips to help you find more fish and make the most of your time on the water—even when the heat is on.

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous summer day on the water? While sunny skies and calm conditions are great for boaters, they can make fishing tough. In this article, we’ll break down 6 essential summer fishing tips to help you find more fish and make the most of your time on the water—even when the heat is on.

Table of Contents

  • The Early Bird Gets the Worm
  • Stay Hydrated and Dress the Part
  • Deeper Can Be the Answer
  • Don’t Be Afraid of Big Baits
  • Current is Key
  • Find the Shade
  • Final Thoughts

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

In summer, fish often feed most actively at dawn and dusk. As the sun rises and water temperatures climb, many species retreat to deeper or shaded areas and become less aggressive. Get on the water early to take advantage of the low light and cooler temperatures. Topwater bass bites and early morning trolling runs for walleye can be electric at this time.

Related:

Stay Hydrated and Dress the Part

Heatstroke and dehydration are very real dangers during long, hot days. Staying hydrated helps keep your mind sharp, which is crucial for staying alert to bites and patterns. Wear sun-protective clothing like FishUSA Performance Shirts or gear from AFTCO and Simms to protect your skin and stay cool. Staying comfortable means staying focused and fishing smarter all day long.

Deeper Can Be the Answer

As shallow water warms, oxygen levels drop, pushing baitfish—and the predators chasing them—into deeper water. Use electronics to locate offshore structure like humps, deep weed edges, or submerged brush piles. Walleyes, smallmouth bass, and muskies may suspend in deeper basins and chase bait that congregates over cooler, oxygen-rich water. Trolling deep-diving crankbaits or using vertical presentations can be deadly during these conditions.

Don’t Be Afraid of Big Baits

Post-spawn fish are hungry and looking for easy meals. Early summer is a great time to throw larger baits like oversized swimbaits, jigs, and topwater lures. These not only attract bigger fish, but also help cover more water. Baits like the Megabass Spark Shad or Magdraft are proven summer winners for big predators like bass and pike.

Current is Key

Whether it’s natural river current or wind-generated flow on a lake, current can activate feeding behavior. It congregates plankton, attracts baitfish, and positions predators into ambush spots. If your day starts slow, head for wind-blown banks, main lake points, or areas where current funnels through tight spaces. Understanding current patterns can completely change the course of your fishing day.

Find the Shade

Just like anglers, fish seek shade on hot sunny days. Bridges, docks, overhanging trees, or even thick aquatic vegetation provide cover and relief from direct sunlight. These shaded areas often serve as ambush points, where bass or panfish wait for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Always check shaded zones before moving on—they could be holding more fish than you expect. 

Final Thoughts

Fishing during summer heat isn’t always easy, but with the right strategy and awareness, it can be incredibly rewarding. Use these summer fishing tips to beat the heat, stay safe, and catch more fish this season.

Shop Fishing Tackle & Gear

  • Fishing Rods
  • Fishing Reels
  • Fishing Baits & Lures
  • Fishing Line
  • Fishing Hooks