How Often Do You Go Fishing?

[DaveMac]

I live in Omaha, which means a 7-8 hr drive to most clear-stream fishing destinations. I also have job and family obligations. All of this means I get 3 to 4 fishing trips (of 2-4 days each) in per year. So I plan carefully and try to maximize each one. And hope the weather gods are kind!

So yeah, I'm envious of those of you who live close and have the time and resources to fish often. Maybe someday. In the meantime all your stories and reports keep me going during times between trips, so please keep writing!

[Bird Watcher]

I go about twice a week from April through September. About 2-3 times a month during March and October and maybe 3 or 4 times over the winter. I'd say 70-80 times a year.

Maybe more if I'm on a hot bite and friends want to get in on it. I'll go another day or so during the week if a family member or a friend wants to get in something I've been catching and they can only go on certain days. Most of my trips are short though. I'm very rarely gone more than 5 hrs and a lot of my trips are 2-3 hrs.

I'm blessed because I've got a great woman when it comes to the time I spend outdoors. The key for me is I try to fish when our daughter and her are asleep or have other plans and if I go for part of the day, I make sure the other part of the day is about being with them. It's a balance that works for us. I like to either go before they wake up or go in the evening when they are winding down for sleep. I kind of prefer it that way. I enjoy a lot of short trips a lot more than fewer long trips. I'm also lucky because I've got a lot of great fishing in less than a 30 minute drive. It probably wouldn't work if I had to drive an hour or more.

[Feathers and Fins]

Depends on the year and work load,I carry a flypole in my truck at all times and if i have a couple hours between appointments I will stop off, weekends I get 1 day at least and if off by 3 durring the longer days I will go after work. I average 150 days a year of anywhere from a full day to 2 hours of a day for fishing. It is amazing how a bad day can turn into a great day with just 2 hours even if I catch nothing. Fishing really is the greatest cure for many things.

[Guest]

As often as possible. I try to fish at least a couple of times a week.

[rps]

June July and August I fish 3 or 4 times per week - subject to trips to see children and my wife's mother. Let's say 40 half or full days. In September, October, April, and May I average 2 or 3 trips per month, so that's 10 more. On Spring break, weather always prevents a full week so count 3 days for March. December, January, and February - not very often as I hate being cold.

Long story short, 50 to 55 days per year.

[Phil Lilley]

I am spoiled living on the water and a boat in the dock if I want to get out. Most of my trips are only 1-2 hours long though. I'd say 150 days roughly.

[ozarkgunner]

I fish during late February once a weekend or more. During March- May I try to fish every weekend and at least one day a week. June- August I fish 3 days a weekend every other week. (Friday night Sat. morning, Sunday morning). September I start to slow down on the fishing as dove season starts. I might average 3-5 times a month in September, but generally only in farm ponds where I am hunting during midday. Oct, Nov., Dec, Jan. I am usually too busy hunting to fishing. I average 2 times a month during this time (farm ponds while hunting in OCT, Nov., Trout while Ducking hunting in Dec., Jan. ).

I total around 60-70 days a year. Likely average around 1000 fish per year with all of the spring crappie.

[UnCivE]

Before the kid was born in Nov 2010, I was pre-fishing Friday night, and all day Saturday for a Tourney on Sunday... plus an hour or so shore fishing at lunch time 3 days a week or so. All in all, probably 20+ hours a week. Now, being a 30 year old engineering student/Dad, I'm lucky to get out 10 hours total a week, usually after the kid and wife go to bed or if my mom wants some grandma time.

Can't complain though. If the worst thing that ever happens to me is less than optimal fishing time, I'll be a happy camper.

[ollie]

50-100 here. Most of mine are just half days. If I'm driving over an hour the fishing better be good or it isn't worth it to me. I can be on the water whether it be a lake, smallie stream, or trout stream within 30 minutes of the house where I live.

[Mitch f]

20-25 days per year if I'm lucky. I have a 2 yr old and a 10 year old. The 10 year old loves to fish for 1 hour or so, then we need to find a gravel bar and start looking for craws and mussels.