A fish s sense of smell isn t as strong as a dog s, but it does help locate food. In fact, some anglers use special scents to attract fish. What a Fish Hears Fish can hear, but you ll never locate an outer ear. Sound travels quickly through water and for very long distances. Sound waves strike a fish s skull and these vibrations travel directly to the inner ear.
Fish are certainly able to pick out the sound from the air, too.
This sense is contained within the lateral line, a slightly darker stripe that runs down each side. The lateral line is especially sensitive to nearby, low-frequency vibrations, such as footsteps on the riverbank or something dropped on the water s surface. You can talk, sing, or play a radio very softly and not startle most fish. Clumsy angler about to cast. Clear the area.