Lures of Varying Shapes and Colors Attract Fish Species

Many species of freshwater fish are attracted to colored lures or baits, and will often mistake them for food. 

The fish that was caught is known as a black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). The crappie was caught on a Berkley Flicker Shad with Firetiger coloring. The color pattern known as “Firetiger,” is a popular color for fishing lures and tends to be effective on this particular watershed. The reason for its effectiveness has to do with the concepts of visible light spectrums and filters. We all know what it’s like to wear sunglasses that change the colors of objects and phenomena that we see, and it’s essentially the same with lake water. In green water, like the water in the Okoboji Lake system, the colors that the “Firetiger” lure uses are more vibrant. Think about what it would be like to have green-tinted sunglasses! Another consideration when picking this lure, is that the black crappie has a tendency to attack and feed off of small fish, such as minnows. One final consideration is the time of year. Late spring into early summer is the fish spawn for almost every species in the Okoboji watershed. When you add in the vibrancy of colors and the visible light spectrum, the shape of the lure and its resemblance to live bait, and the protective tendencies of fish during the spawning period, you get an almost perfect lure to cast and reel in fish such as the black crappie, as well as others!

• How do lures and baits help fishermen catch fish?

1. Review the video Fishing with Lures for Beginners - When to Use (Underwater Fishing Lures). As you watch the video of fish biting on different baits or lures, think about why the fish would attack each example. What context would encourage a fish to follow or attack a lure?
2. Does the color of the bait or lure matter to fish?
3. Why would the shape of a lure or bait matter to a fish species?

Students could:

• Go on a field trip to visit the local DNR center and have a fishing day, where they would try out different lures that they think would attract a fish. Springtime would be best.
• After instruction, and with the help of an expert, students can create homemade fly fishing lures to use in trout streams (if location permits).
• Students can also learn about what foods a specific species would enjoy based on the kind of lures and baits they are attracted to.

• Fishing with Lures for Beginners - When to Use (Underwater Fishing Lures)This is a kid-friendly video of an expert fisherman describing various fishing lures, and when to use each one!
• Iowa DNR | Lesson Plan for Tying Fly Lures for Trout Fishing: This lesson plan is a comprehensive explanation for introducing fly fishing into a classroom. Obviously, location is everything, because trout are not located everywhere in Iowa.
• The Fisherman | Studies In Success: The Science Of Fishing & Catching: This article, while advanced, has some extremely valuable information that 4th graders could digest. This article is scientifically backed and discusses the science of fishing and catching.