Weekends vs Weekdays - High Pressured Lakes

[Bankc]

I'm sure it's a factor.  But there are lots of factors involved.  The weather being a big one.  So not every weekend will be worse than the weekdays, on even the most highly pressured lakes. 

 

In the lakes near me, it's not much of a change.  And they are extremely pressured.  There are more boats on the weekends, for sure.  But there are a lot less fishing boats.  Most of the avid anglers around me are retired.  And they tend to avoid the weekends, as that's when the pleasure boaters are out.  So while there are more boats on the weekends, there's probably about the same or less fishing pressure.  And most of the fishing pressure on the weekends comes from the fishing docks, as you can't really fish from the bank around here, and being in a city, most of the people fishing are throwing minnows and bobbers.  The woods are just too thick with brush and ticks to walk through.  So in a boat, you're able to avoid the most highly pressured areas.  That, and just about every bass angler around loves to beat the banks at random.  So if you want to target bass any day of the week that aren't pressured, it's pretty easy.  Just get off the bank.  

 

So yeah, it's a thing worth considering, but it's far from the only thing.  

[king fisher]

The bite turns off when I get to the lake.  Weekend, weekday, time of day, crowded, or deserted, it doesn't seem to make a difference.

[roadwarrior]

25 minutes ago, king fisher said:

The bite turns off when I get to the lake.  Weekend, weekday, time of day, crowded, or deserted, it doesn't seem to make a difference.

You should have been there yesterday!

 

 

 

                                             

[Catt]

Another joy of night fishing, usually ain't nobody on the lake.

[gim]

On lakes that receive a high amount of pressure, either from a lot of recreational anglers, or tournament anglers, I think there is a noticeable difference in terms of fish caught during the week as opposed to the weekend.  Granted, I avoid these lakes now for the most part.  Mostly because I am not into targeting highly pressured fish with ultra-finesse tactics, but also simply because I want to avoid other people and recreational boaters too.  Luckily, there are enough lakes and rivers near me that have less angling pressure, so I have multiple options on the table.  The other part that gets annoying for me is the public access.  Seems like its just amateur hour there, especially on the weekend.  People taking way too long or dinking around and holding up the show.

 

I will say that I do still fish on the weekend when there are days of inclement weather.  Just this past Saturday I was muskie fishing on a metro lake right in a suburban environment and our success was very high.  The conditions were ripe though - overcast and choppy.  I only saw a couple other boats and a pair of kayaks (not fishing) in about 4.5 hours though.

[scaleface]

No doubt in my mind that fish bite better mid week than during busy weekends on heavily pressured waters .

[king fisher]

Crowded weekend on one of my favorite lakes.  I'm not sure, but I don't think the bass notice the difference here.

[the reel ess]

Preferably Tuesday-Friday

[Bird]

Wife and I camp on lakes quite often.

I lose track of what day it is but am quickly reminded by the increased activity.

 

On weekends, I simply get on the water at Dawn and off when the party starts.

 

 

[Kongming]

What gets me the most are the boaters/kayakers that'll paddle right in front of me while i'm fishing from the bank.  Couple weekends ago I was fishing from a pier when a family with 2 kayaks cruised by maybe 10 feet from the pier.  About 15 minutes later they were doubling back when I heard a kid in the back suggest they paddle further out so they don't bother us.  Since when did children have more common sense than adults?   

[Deephaven]

2 hours ago, Kongming said:

What gets me the most are the boaters/kayakers that'll paddle right in front of me while i'm fishing from the bank.  

A 10'" muskie lure cast 5' from their bow will garner an apology to you.

 

I live on Minnetonka and since Saturday there have been 5 tournaments and it is only Tuesday.  I am a shore fisherman trying to learn to fish offshore and it will test you.

Still can catch some but bring your a game.

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, Deephaven said:

I live on Minnetonka and since Saturday there have been 5 tournaments and it is only Tuesday. 

I just looked at the DNR list.

 

Was looking to take the boat out next Monday - but Denny's Super 30 is happening that day.

 

Nope - those guys are insane...I'm staying on shore.

[schplurg]

I never fish on weekends, whether it be local ponds or anywhere else. I don't have to though either. I don't care what the weather, barometer or tarot cards say. Count me out.

[Woody B]

On 8/16/2022 at 10:01 AM, Catt said:

Another joy of night fishing, usually ain't nobody on the lake.

 

There's a shoal on a lake I fish quite a bit where people anchor and tie their boats together and do...whatever.   Last Saturday night, around 11 there was a BUNCH of boats there.  There was also a huge boat that looked like a barge with music playing and people dancing on the deck.   At least they weren't riding around making 6 foot waves.   

[Glenn]

Oh gee, do I have a video about that? You might ask....why YES! Yes I do!

 

 

[Deleted account]

On 8/15/2022 at 5:56 PM, fin said:

I remember reading some study a few years ago about fish off-shore in Nova Scotia. Fishermen thought a particular game fish was extinct in that area. Then some kind of fishing ban was placed on that area for some unrelated reason. They found the fish returned during that time. Fish are not stupid.

 

Fake news.

[Johnbt]

I/we are retired and don't do weekends. Ever feel sorry for old retired folks out doing yard work on the weekend while you are living it up? Don't, we're avoiding you. 

 

The guy who taught me to fish for largemouth 30 or 40 years ago got talked into going to a state park last Saturday. It was crowded, and the ramp was littered with kayaks just sitting there while the owners got dressed and prepped, but overall he said it wasn't too bad.

 

(We went Thursday and there were 4 kayaks in one group that left at 9 a.m. and a total of 4 boats during the 8 hours we were there.)

 

After they made the all-electric run to the sparsely crowded far end it turned into amateur hour. The way he described it, a 300-pound guy in a little kayak got excited about something and turned it over - and couldn't get to shore. And his 3 friends weren't helping much. So two 65-year-olds in a 14' tinny with nice Millennium seats went to fish him out. Somehow these 2 200-pounders got the guy up and over the transom, but they had to spent 20 minutes gathering up the only rod that didn't sink - it had a bobber on the line - and the cooler and lid and some tackle boxes that were floating somehow and all the usual junk, but the things that took most time were the empty beer cans being scattered by the wind.

[Koz]

I’ve heard that bass mark their calendars for social gatherings on Wednesdays and Thursdays?

 

Bluegill? Those guys like to party all of the time.

[TriStateBassin106]

I'm currently fishing my home lake for three days, I will say the bite was better during the week. Less boat traffic. 

[ScottW]

On 8/16/2022 at 4:19 AM, fin said:

 

That's the idea. The sound of running water in a stream soothes the soul. It's just the opposite of all that other stuff.

Running water makes me want to pee ?

[Skunkmaster-k]

Me too. 

[gim]

On 8/16/2022 at 8:40 PM, Deephaven said:

I live on Minnetonka and since Saturday there have been 5 tournaments and it is only Tuesday

That is a ridiculous amount of pressure.

[The Bassman]

This discussion makes me all the more thankful that I do all my fishing on foot at neighborhood lakes. I might cross paths with someone else on occasion but for the most part I'm pretty much alone.