We’re not the only ones fishing

It turns out that on the rainy days, even if we stay indoors, there are others out there fishing and hunting. This heron is a regular on our lake and can often be seen foraging for fish and small varmints around the shoreline.

How do Herons Fish?

Herons are skilled hunters when it comes to catching fish, and they use several techniques to capture their prey:

1. Stalking: Herons are patient. They stand motionless or move very slowly along the water’s edge, waiting for fish to come within striking distance. Their stealthy approach helps them get close.
2. Dagger-like Bill: Herons have long, pointed bills that are designed for spearing fish. They use their sharp beaks to pierce the water quickly and snatch fish with precision.
3. Sharp Eyesight: Herons have excellent eyesight, which helps them spot fish swimming beneath the water’s surface. They can detect the slightest movement of fish, even in murky or rippled water.
4. Wading: Herons are wading birds, which means they typically hunt in shallow waters like ponds, marshes, streams, and the edges of lakes and rivers. Their long legs and necks allow them to reach into the water to capture fish without submerging their bodies.
5. Ambush Hunting: When a heron spots a fish within striking range, it uses its long neck to extend its reach and make a rapid, precise strike. The heron’s strike is often too fast for the fish to escape.
6. Swallowing Whole: Once a heron catches a fish, it swallows it whole. Herons have specialized digestive systems that can handle fish bones and scales. Larger prey may be manipulated to fit down the heron’s throat.

Herons are highly skilled at catching fish through a combination of their specialized beaks, sharp eyesight, patience, and stealthy hunting techniques.

What can we learn from Herons?

When we head to the water with baits, rods and reels, are there lessons from the heron that can benefit our fishing?

• Patience: we already know we need to be patient to be successful but the heron reminds us to actually practice this skill.
• Dagger-like Bills: we don’t use our beaks to catch fish but we do need our hooks to be sharp, appropriate to the target species, environment and technique. Using the wrong kind of hook for a wacky-rigged worm, for example might result in numerous strikes and zero hooksets.
• Sharp Eyesight: whether with our own two eyes, aided by polarized sunglasses, or technology such as conventional or forward-facing sonar, we can look not only for fish but also for clues about where to find fish. Structure and cover are important. Edges are important. We can learn to read a topo map and/or chart plotter to make smart guesses about where to start and then use more visual clues to hone in on the best spots to fish.
• Wading and Ambushing: our approach whether on foot or by boat can scare away the fish or make them hesitant to bite. Being thoughtful about where the sun is, where our shadow falls, how much noise we make, where our cast lands, and how we present our bait makes a big difference.