Huge Browns patrol a variety of water in the spring of the year. They reach their enormous size by eating a healthy diet of Alewives and Smelt. When this traditional food source is not available you will find them eating everything from Sculpin to Perch. Weather, geography and hydrology all work together to concentrate bait sources. When bait sources collide with Brown Trout activation temperatures – Look Out! Action can be fast.

Shallow water areas of Pea gravel or sand will be the first lake shore areas to warm. As temperatures rise, these shallow water expanses become attractive to baitfish. This early warming trend is also attractive to Brown Trout. Look for dramatic breaks in temperature to find early Brown Trout action. Although favorite temperatures range in the low to mid 50’s, most of the great lakes don’t reach this temp level until well into May. Why then, is Brown Trout activity so heavy in months such as April? First of all Browns are looking for the first easy meals of spring. If surrounding temps are at 39 degrees a warm pocket that reaches the 44 degree mark will spark activity.

In periods of calm, stable weather, look for shallow water expanses that exhibit the characteristics listed above. When the wind blows, anglers need to pay attention to direction and duration of winds before they fish. Winds from the West will blow warm water eastward along shorelines. Look for points or bays that will trap this warm water and pool it in pockets. These pockets will remain hotbeds of Brown activity as long as wind direction remains constant.

River and Stream estuaries are also likely locations to encounter early Brown Trout activity. In the spring of the year lake waters are uniformly cold. As days become warmer, land based sheet water heats up and flows into rivers and streams in the form of run off. Estuaries will inevitably be somewhat warmer than the surrounding lake water. If streams are flowing heavy, both sediment and microorganisms will be suspended in the water column. This situation can be extremely attractive to baitfish and the big Browns that pursue them. River mouths are a great bet for Brown Trout action.

Power plant discharges will also cause an increase in surrounding water temperatures. With recent terrorist activity on the rise, fishermen cannot access quarantined areas within close proximity to these plants. Most quarantined areas are marked by buoys (check your local regulations) so anglers need to fish the down wind edges looking for any warm water that is spreading out of the quarantined zone. When anglers locate fish in this situation, they will be confined to a tight area. Fishermen should shorten lines and work circular patterns throughout the warmer water keeping their baits in the strike zone for extended periods of time.

Last but not least, “fish the dirty days”! When conditions are rough, shoreline expanses get dirty. Light penetration on these days is at a minimum. Many predatory fish hunt more comfortably and effectively when light conditions are low. It may not be the most comfortable day to fish but when the line gets tight on a 15lb. Plus Brown Trout, you’ll be glad you were on the water.

Note: Capt. Bill Saiff III is the host of Public Television’s “Rod & Reel” sportfishing program. Tune in this season for great programs featuring Trophy Brown Trout fishing on Lake Ontario. For information on sportfishing with the Saiff Charter Fleet – log on to www.BillSaiffOutdoors.com.