Can fish hear sound?

[Ryan]

When I'm fishing with my friends in my boat, lots of times, someone wants to put some music on. I don't really like listening to music while fishing, I prefer the silence personally. But I never like playing music (even quietly on an iphone) because I feel like the fish can hear sound vibrations in the water or something?

-Does anyone know if this is a fact? Or is this just in my head? (And I'm only talking about music being played quietly on a phone or something, not a real system with sub woofers or anything.)

I could see it not being a big deal on a large river like the Sac with large swift runs. But back up in smaller, still, and quiet sloughs for stripers or bass I really feel like the fish could be spooked by underwater sound vibrations, even though I've never seen anything to confirm this for me.

Also, Lets say I'm fishing a small stream like Hot Creek. I know wading loud, or walking upright and being highly visible would spook fish 100% for sure. But if I'm hidden well while stalking fish, and I were to yell out to a friend (or even talk loudly) does anyone think this can spook fish? Basically I'm asking if fish in these types of small streams can hear voices? Or to what degree?

I know theres a few questions here but I've always just assumed that yes they can hear and do get spooked. But it would be nice to hear from someone who has had some experience with this stuff, or just hear various opinions or facts in general... Thanks in advance if anyone chooses to respond!

[Larry S]

Ryan,
Most fish (all?) have a lateral line that is very sensitive to vibrations. Be interesting to read what some of the more
experienced folks have to say. Brings to mind "Country joe and the fish."
Best,
Larry S

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I saw a video where in New Zealand they talked pretty load near a trout in a stream with no results but as soon as they touched their rod tip on a rock under water it took right off.

I think you can talk in a boat but don't make noise moving around.

.

[FISHEYE]

Fish definitely feel vibrations and pressure and they can probably "feel" sound underwater since that is also vibrations. There is a ton of scientific literature on this subject. I suspect they can hear loud noises above the water as well if it is powerful enough to propagate into the water in the form of vibrations. I don't think there is a problem with normal talking but there might be with vibrations from music, especially loud bass. Sound can travel a long way underwater depending on a whole bunch of physical factors. Just ask a submariner. I have played around with this a few times by just banging my hand on a boat and watching fish scatter almost instantly. Baitfish just scatter a little but big fish like tarpon are gone.

[Ralph]

Fish don't "hear". Their equivalent to an eardrum is a slab of calcium carbonate known as at otolith (ear rock). It doesn't vibrate or transmit sound. They are very sensitive to pressure waves via their lateral line and air bladder (and actually some other stuff). Talking on a boat means nothing to them, but dropping a pair of pliers onto the boat will alert them. I have clacked rocks together and banged a knife on my scuba tank around fish and they start or scatter in 360 degrees. Sound waves move so fast through water that they don't give a directional signal so fish can't run from the source. That's the science and my observation. Mike Lawson, who I have huge faith and trust in, swears that trout on the Henry's Fork will be put down by the sound of line being stripped from the reel. I believe him.

[Ryan]

Thanks for the replies! Very informative. Really helps put into perspective how crucial stealth can be, especially with the little things like rocks crackling together, or the pliers dropped on a boat. Small things like that can be easily overlooked, especially something as small as the stripping of line from a loud real. Pretty crazy but I don't doubt it at all. Thanks again for the info!

[troutless]

Just based on statistics, I'm pretty sure they hear me coming.

[jcsesica]

Fish can definitely "hear", but their sensitivity to loud noises, above water or in the water, seems to vary widely. I remember fishing the Situk for steelhead in October years ago. Our guide would be standing tall as we drifted down river. Upon sighting fish, he would grab the the anchor and heave it overboard. "Splash!" (Sometimes 12-15' away from the pod of fresh fish.) They were unaffected by the clunking of the anchor on the aluminum jet boat, the splash of the anchor, etc...I was completely amazed. We would then climb out of the boat and position ourselves to fish. We repeated that drill throughout the day, catching fish consistently.

Try that here in CA. Ha, I doubt it.