Into the Outdoors: Fishing From Shore
- Editor
- Nov 15, 2025
- 3 min read
This week, let’s take a little look at fishing from shore. As I get older, and it gets harder and harder to get into and out of my boat, I find myself on the shore more and more often. While I truly love being out in a boat, I have also had some great fishing from shore, both at night and in the daytime. Besides, November is not the greatest month to be out on the open water. As this is being written, it is really windy. Out in a boat, the wind chill could be brutal.
This fall, I am in the process of recovering from surgery, so I haven’t been able to get out. This is the first time in many years.
In many ways, shore fishing is a lot like fishing from a boat. A number of methods are available to the shore angler. One of the best known is still fishing, also known as “forked stick fishing.” This is really pretty self explanatory. You cast out your bait, prop your rod in a forked stick, on a rock, on a commercially made rod holder or whatever. This method is used most often for suckers, carp and catfish, but will work on other species as well. Night fishing this way is even more fun. Build a fire, (where permitted) cook some hot dogs and just relax. A little bell, which clips to the end of the rod, makes a really nice bite alarm. A Night Bobby, which is a bobber with a battery and LED in it, is another good night bite indicator. A couple of years ago, I bought a battery powered rod that lights up.
Probably the biggest danger to the night angler is taking a fall in the dark. Especially along the Allegheny, the banks and shorelines are often extremely rocky. It is imperative to watch your step. Of course, lake fishing requires the same caution, but not to the extent the river does. As I have aged, I find it best to use a stout walking stick on any bank, day or night. I have one I made from a piece of diamond willow my brother-in-law gave me.
Shore angling can be both fun and productive in the daytime, too. At Oneida Lake, it is the only type of fishing permitted. This is a really nice lake, and we’ve made some very good catches fishing there. The last few years, however, have been less than good. Perhaps the fish have simply moved from the places wherein we used to enjoy success. I still hear reports of great catches, although they have eluded Old Bub and me. There are some big panfish in the lake. Incidentally, even if the fish aren’t hitting at Oneida, a trip there is seldom a waste of time. There are beautiful birds, both on and off the water. To add to the excitement, a pair of bald eagles nests along the lake as well, and they are often visible. Old Bub and I have seen loons there a number of times .
Most species of fish can be caught at this time of year, although, at least in my experience, catfish and suckers are seldom caught.
On another front, rifle deer season is just around the corner, and the controversy still rages over the Saturday opener. Let’s face it. The Game Commission couldn’t care less about hunting traditions or, for that matter, our opinions.
Email: salmonangler1@gmail.com
