Q.Inshore Migration Timing
How does water temperature drive fish migration?
A.
Most coastal species have a narrow temperature range (often 5-10°F wide) where they're most active and feeding. As seasonal SST shifts toward or away from that range, fish migrate to stay in their preferred zone. This is why spring migrations track north as water warms and fall migrations track south as water cools.
Cold-stunning events (sudden temperature drops below tolerance) can kill fish that don't migrate fast enough — Texas saw major redfish and trout cold kills during 2021 winter freezes. SST threshold pages cover species ranges.