How Accurate is a Fishing Almanac?

If you like to fish, then you know that a good fishing almanac is a valuable tool. These handy guides use lunar cycles, solar activity and spawning patterns to give you the best times to catch your favorite fish. They’re available on paper in the Farmer’s Almanac or online as apps for your phone or tablet. You can even buy a chart for your boat, which gives you the same information without having to carry around a heavy book. But just how accurate is this information?

The Farmers’ Almanac has been in print since 1818 and claims to be a “resource for the country’s farmers and sportsmen, offering a wide variety of information about weather, gardening, astronomy, agriculture, livestock, cooking, fishing, home crafts, family life and the arts.” It’s available as a print version or on its website. The Almanac lists several different calendars, including one specifically for fishermen and hunters, that covers the entire year in advance. The other calendars are devoted to specific activities, such as gardening and home crafts. The Farmers’ Almanac also includes what it calls a “special report” on a topic of general interest, in the past these have included romance, superstitions and wedding traditions.

For fishermen, the special report on fishing explains that the best days to fish are those when they are naturally most active. They will feed more frequently when the sun is low and rising or setting, as well as during the full moon. It also advises that a high or low tide will improve fishing conditions. This information is based on solunar theory, which predicts animal activity based on the sun and moon’s relative position to Earth.

A fishing almanac will usually have charts that show you the best time to fish in your area by quarter of the month and by day. It will include both freshwater and saltwater locations, and for different types of fish. The chart will note the optimum fishing dates, as well as tips on bait, tackle and flies for the fish you’re pursuing.

The Old Farmers’ Almanac method of predicting the best fishing days is to say that they occur always between the new moon and the full moon. This seems somewhat misleading, especially to anyone who has fished during other parts of the moon’s cycle. However, their other advice, such as to plan for a day with low winds and bright skies, is helpful for any angler. They also mention the importance of matching your bait to insect hatches, and avoiding feeding frenzy times. These are all great things to keep in mind when planning your next fishing trip.