Re: Why do the lake fish jump out of the water occasionally?

One of the main food sources for many freshwater fish, including the ones 
you ask about, are insects.  Insects can be found around streams and lakes 
throughout the warmer months of the year.  In fact, many species of flying 
insects, spend most of their flightless youth as larvae that float around 
in the water.  During and after these flying insects grow their wings, they 
spend their time either near water, or often just standing on top of it 
(they're really light!).  So all these insects floating around on the 
water's surface are not overlooked by fish.  So when you see fish jumping 
out of water, they're probably jumping at an insect at the water's surface, 
trying to make a meal out of it.  

Alternatively, these jumping fish might sometimes just be jumping for the 
fun of it!  The next time you see one jump. look around and try to see the 
little flying insects the fish might be looking for.