The Effects of Barometric Pressure on Fish

Most people never think about what the barometric pressure is doing at any one moment, but it is thought that it can affect not only the behavior of people but also that of fish. Knowing the effects of barometric pressure on fish can help fisherman choose times when they will be more successful and help those that simply like to watch fish know where to find them on any given day. The barometric pressure is always changing, which means that the behavior of fish is always changing.

  1. Features

    • To understand the effects of barometric pressure on fish you must first understand what barometric pressure is. Barometric pressure is a fancy term that refers to measurement of the weight of the atmosphere above us. It has been thought for some time that the weight of the atmosphere above us affects the way that all living things feel.

    Types

    • Because barometric pressure is always changing, there are several different classifications of the weight of the atmosphere above us. Barometric pressure can be rated as high, rising, normal and stable, falling, slightly low, and low. Knowing what the barometric pressure is can help one determine what the activity of fish may be.

    Effects

    • The effects of barometric pressure on fish are not completely understood, so most of the purported facts are simply theories. Generally speaking, there is a school of thought that infers that a falling barometric pressure will cause fish to be more active, feeding with more urgency than at other times. In addition, when the pressure is rising the fish are not as active and are not feeding as much as normal. Low pressure also causes the fish to move into deeper waters to ride out the wave of low pressure, while high pressure causes them to hide out under logs and rocks, ceasing feeding and normal activities.

    Geography

    • Barometric pressure is always changing, all around the world. While barometric pressure both rises and falls in all areas, the fish that are in more shallow waters, such as in rivers and streams, may be more affected. Fish who generally reside in deeper waters do not seem to be as deeply affected by barometric pressure.

    Significance

    • The effects of barometric pressure on fish is significant because it changes the behavior of the fish all over the world. For those that like to fish or like to watch fish, the barometric pressure can affect when fish can be caught or sighted.