Fall for Autumn Boating

Although the evenings are getting cooler and the days shorter, it’s not too late to enjoy time out on the water. While one might hesitate to jump into a chilling lake or hang out by the pool with a frozen beverage, fall can be the ideal time for boating. In fact, boating in the fall has some serious advantages!

Take in the Colors and Critters
There is nothing more beautiful than watching autumn leaves turn vibrant hues along a coastline. Leaf peeping from your boat along a colorful shore gives you a unique perspective on the season. Fall also brings different wildlife to coastal areas – from waterfowl and migrating birds to bears preparing for a winter nap. Depending on your location, there can be a completely different scene than what you’d observe in the summer months.

“Leaf” the Crowds Behind
Once the school year begins, traffic changes can be dramatic, both on roadways and waterways. You’ll have less wait times at launch sites, shorter lines at fuel docks, and more open space to enjoy. Gone are the hour-long queue lines and parking nightmares.  In many areas, fees are also reduced or may even be non-existent. You might find fewer services available when high season ends, but a little planning ahead of time will ensure you have a comfortable, crowd-free experience.

Staying Out of the Hot Seat
The summer’s scorching rays and high temperatures can make boating miserable. Of course, a bimini top is an easy way to ensure you've got some sun protection, but that doesn’t save you from becoming overheated. The cooler conditions of autumn can provide a pleasant boating experience. Fill up your thermos with your favorite hot beverage, don a comfy sweatshirt, and off you go on a cool escape.


Fishing Fun
Lakes turn over when the surface is cooler, making fall fine for fishing. The churn puts trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and other fish on high alert. They eat to store extra calories before they spend the winter in the water’s depths, and if you pull your boat early you’ll miss some of the hottest fishing action of the year. If you have a shallow-draft boat, you have access to the edges of lakes and rivers where fish feed before the winter.

Keeping it Safe
While autumn boating has many benefits, safety should still remain at the forefront. A reduction in temperatures does not mean that you are safe from damaging sunrays that can reflect off the water, so sunblock is still an important accessory. It’s also important to keep an eye to the sky. Autumn storms can approach fast and unexpectedly, and they often pack more of a punch than summer showers. Not only should you check the weather before heading out, but be sure to check the weather during your trip and keep an eye out for approaching fronts. Conditions can change quickly.

And, while less water traffic can be appealing, it does not ensure an accident-free boating experience, so life jackets should still be part of your plan. In fact, plummeting water temperatures can increase the chances of hypothermia if an accident occurs. Compared to the busier times of the season, there may not be other boaters in your vicinity to turn to for help at this time of year. So, before you leave, make sure cell phones are charged and radio signals are working properly.

If you haven’t taken advantage of the many opportunities that fall boating affords, get out on the water and experience the serenity and beauty unique to this time of year. If you’re a “seasoned” autumn boater, share your favorite fall boating story below!