As fishermen, we all know that choosing the right bait and gear is essential to a successful fishing trip. But have you ever stopped to consider the colors you use and how they affect the fish you are trying to catch? In this article, we will explore the question “What colors do fish see?” and provide you with help to make informed decisions when it comes to selecting lure colors.
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Understanding Fish Vision
The majority of fish have cone cells in their eyes. These are the cells that allow color vision. In addition, the fish must have its brain wired for color vision. Each species have various cone cells to see color. What cone cells are present determines the colors a fish can distinguish. In general, most fish eyes have 2 or 3 cone cells. A few have four cone cell types.
Fish eyes are located on the sides of their head, which gives them a wide field of vision. They also have a layer of tissue at the back of their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, which reflects light and allows them to see better in low-light conditions.
The type of fish, dirty, stained, and deep water affect the colors visible also. You want to use the colors that are best for attracting fish. As a result, it does help to know what colors a fish can see at times. It does help you catch fish.
The position of the sun affects colors also. Sunlight refracts and scatters with different effects due to the angle it enters the water. This is similar to what causes all the colors of the rainbow.
When the sun is lower in the sky. The majority is reflected off the water. When the sun is higher in the sky, more UV light enters the water. Lure colors will show deeper down in the water column with more light.
Colors that Fish Can See
Fish are able to see a wide range of colors, including red, green, blue, yellow, and ultraviolet. However, the specific colors that are most visible to fish depend on a few factors, such as the depth of the water, the time of day, and the species of fish.
In general, red is the first color to disappear as you go deeper into the water, followed by orange, yellow, and green. Blue and violet are the last colors to disappear, which is why many lures and baits are designed in these colors. However, some species of fish, such as bass and trout, are more sensitive to certain colors than others, so it’s essential to understand the specific preferences of the fish you are trying to catch.
The popular gamefish each have a specific color vision. We will look at the popular game fish individually. So you can understand what colors a fish can see and what is invisible to a fish.
What Colors Does Bass See?
A largemouth can easily see red, blue, and green colors. These colors are clearly seen by the species. The red is good for shallower and clearer water conditions. The green and blue work better in deeper water with the staining present. This is why the green pumpkin color is highly productive in many regions.
Largemouth bass sees dark blue and black as similar colors. These two colors will be interchangeable in most situations. The same applies to yellows and whites. Use white or yellow in turbid and shallow waters. Go with the blue or black in deeper water or when high contrast is desirable for the water conditions.
The same colors work with smallmouth also. An angler can add brown and chartreuse with the previously mentioned colors. Smallmouth bass are more aggressive. They will strike more colors if they mimic natural prey.
Try to match the hatch with the smallmouth bass. The greens and browns are good for soft plastics and jigs. Use black, blue, and brighter colors with reaction lures.
A bass angler will see success using these 4 to 5 colors when used in the proper water conditions. Adjust the color choices based on water clarity, depth, the color of the bottom, and the sky. In a short time period, you will have the colors dialed in for success.
What Colors Do Walleye, Sauger, and Perch See?
These fish have excellent vision and see the light or bright colors well. The reds, oranges, and yellows are easy for the walleye and their cousins. Green is also a very good color for walleye to see and identify.
Walleyes’ eyes are designed with large pupils. The design allows more light to be collected. This means a walleye will see colors in low-light conditions. At night and in deeper water glow colors can help. But a word of caution some glow baits appear as different colors in deeper water.
In contrast, a walleye cannot see UV fluorescent finishes on baits. They likely will not harm your chance but offer no additional benefit.
The blue and violets are seen by walleye under good conditions. Walleyes and saugers see these colors usually as black.
Perch a close relative of walleye and sauger can see these colors. They are limited to daylight. The perch do not have the superior low light vision of walleye and saugers.
Chances are if you use the proper presentation and run the correct depths. The color is a fine-tuning aspect for these fish. There will be times the colors mentioned play more of an effect. While sometimes it will matter little which of the colors you choose.
Pike and Musky
When it comes to these toothy fish, contrast is the key. The pike family does have a good color vision for freshwater fish. Yet the fish rely on their lateral lines to find prey.
Pike and musky will hang in the water column or tucked into cover. They wait for vibrations and then zero in on the signal. These fish use vision once the prey is close. The contrast makes a better silhouette for the strike.
This is the reason black, red, and orange are popular. These colors provide a better silhouette in different water conditions. Blues and violets will work also in many situations. A fancy paint job with scales and fins rarely helps. When the fish is close enough to see the fine details. They are committed to the strike.
The best option for these fish is a good retrieve and action in the lure. A color that has a solid contrast to the sky and other conditions. The lure needs to be clearly defined in the water. It comes down to what the fish can or cannot see in the water.
What Colors Do Trout and Salmon See?
Trout or salmon have 4 cone cells. This is more than humans have for color vision. This allows trout to see more color in the UV spectrum. Trout and salmon can see blues and reds well with four cone cells. Water clarity has an effect on colors, so you need to take it into account.
Shallower or clear water trout see red easily. In deeper water blue will be better. Stained water, black and white may be the best. Stained waters block most of the light spectrum. This is when rod cells are used for vision. Rod cells offer good low vision but do not allow color vision. They are the black-and-white part of the vision.
The chances are trout will see most colors except the greens. The color green is the color these fish lack the vision to see. All other colors will appear correct in shallow clear waters. As the depth or staining increases, some colors fade to black. Learn which color is best for the depth and water clarity in the waters you fish.
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Do Fish See Line
A fish can see the line if it has color. In many cases, a fish does not care. Yet some fish are line-shy. These are the trout, salmon, and Walleyes. These fish have excellent vision and will be wary of lines quite often. If targeting a species that is line shy. Use a fluorocarbon line. The fluorocarbon line is invisible or as close as possible underwater. The fish do not see the line.
Summary
An experienced angler will see a comparison of what colors fish see. Plus what ones are not seen? The less experienced angler needs to learn which color to use. This takes some time. You have to learn which color works in various water clarities and depths. Plus what colors do the species see better? Then add in providing a strong silhouette. Once you achieve these basics, lure color selection will be easier and more productive.
John McIntyre