Do Ospreys & Eagles prefer to fish after a rainstorm?

[Howard5252]

I have typed this question to Google and what comes up does not answer this question. I am looking for ways to up my chances of finding one of these birds fishing and I vaguely remember the answer to be yes, but my memory isn't what it used to be. Does anyone know the answer?

 

[Fishboy1952]

My experience in fly fishing would say yes. Fish are generally nervous when the conditions are calm and the water surface quiet, because the birds such as osprey (predators) can clearly see them. During a rainstorm, the surface is broken up and visibility is reduced. Also there is generally an increase in food nearer the surface, such as a hatch occurring resulting in nymphs, stoneflies, mayflies, etc. This can result in fish that wouldn’t normally go near the surface in bright skies, go and hit that buffet near the surface. Now the rain backs off, the fish may still stay near the surface to continue to feed for a period of time. I can easily see an early bird osprey or eagle having their choice of fish to choose from.

 

[Warren D]

I think it depends on the area and type of fish. I have not noticed a significant difference in southern New England. It would also depend on how hard it's raining. If it is pouring, the raptors seem to stay put and ride it out but I've seen osprey fish in light rain. Those were actually some of my best shots and I had the location to myself as no one else was out in the rain! Osprey seem to eat a couple of times a day which means they will fish in the rain if needed. Eagles tend to eat less often, especially if they have eaten a large meal. In general, if there is something to the "more fishing after a rain" I suspect it has more to do with (I know Osprey best) them not having eaten in a while. I've seen osprey fish in the fog and that's really tough to see through, let alone the dead calm water that usually goes along with fog. I've also noted many are out fishing at first light, it's tough to get anything usable when your ISO's are above 10,000.

Fishing in light rain

 

[Howard5252]

Thank you both for your answers; I simply wanted to know if going to a lake AFTER a rain would up my chances of seeing these birds fishing.

 

[Warren D]

Understood, I sure wish I could figure out times that would up the odds. One location that had been good for diving osprey several years ago seemed to go by the clock, ie, at 9AM every day, regardless of tides and weather, a whole bunch of osprey would show up to fish. The action would last an hour or so until all the participants caught their breakfast. The scenario would repeat at 5PM. It was so regular it was actually freaky. Something changed and the last few years that location has been almost devoid of avian fishing activity.