Is Winter Fishing Worth It?

Many anglers put away their fishing gear before the end of autumn, either because they assume fish won’t bite through the winter or because they are uncertain of how to catch fish through the coldest part of the year. In truth, winter fishing can be quite good for a variety of species and even provides unique advantage over other seasons.

Let’s look at winter fishing opportunities, exploring the season’s advantages and then answering common questions to help make your winter outings more productive.

One qualifier: In this article the focus is on open-water fishing in areas where waterways mostly do not freeze over. Ice fishing provides excellent opportunities of different kinds through a portion of the country, but that’s another conversation for another time.

• Reduced Fishing Pressure – Fewer anglers on the water creates the obvious experiential benefits of enjoying the river or lake environment and not feeling crowded. From a more practical standpoint, fish get educated when fishing pressure surges, but they don’t seem to have long memories. Simply put, when less anglers are out trying to catch fish, the fish tend to be easier to fool.
• Less Non-Angler Use – Fewer recreational boaters buzzing around has an even bigger positive impact for most fishermen from an experiential standpoint, but again there are practical benefits. Skiers, swimmers, personal watercraft users, sailboaters and other users take areas of lakes and rivers completely out of the equation for anglers during the summer, and that sort of resource competition basically doesn’t exist during winter.
• Predictable Fish Behavior – The cold water that comes with winter limits suitable habitat for gamefish in many situations. Because of water temperatures preferred by the fish and their forage, the fish often hold in predictable locations. You can also eliminate most fast and aggressive lures and presentations, which simplifies the patterning process.
• Fish Congregations – Also due to cold-water limitations, fish commonly congregate, and that often includes multiple fish species. Some fish might be fussier, and finding them could call for extra searching, but when you find the right location, lure and presentation, the mixed-bag fishing action can be excellent.

During winter, many fish move to deep holes in lakes and in creek and river arms of reservoirs. These areas provide consistent thermal refuge and often hold large numbers of baitfish for the same reasons. Fish are also drawn to waters that stay warmer, such discharges from power plants and areas that warm temporarily, such as sun-baked shallow flats and river inflows after a heavy warm rainfall event.

Deep winter holes provide thermal refuge for gamefish of various kinds and for shad and other baitfish, providing double benefit for the predator species. Holes that consistently hold fish through the winter tend to be well defined and protected from prevalent winds and significant current flow. The best areas often have points that stretch into the deep water, which provide structure for the fish and easy pathways to shallower water for when conditions are right to move up.

Late in the winter, fish will move up onto flats during warm snaps, especially when the sun shines brightly for a couple of days. The best areas are broad flats that are close to deep winter holes, especially if the orientation and the pitch of a bank allows for plenty of sun exposure. Temporary shallow migrations tend to be the most pronounced when the water is at least a bit off colored because the sediment in the water allows it to warm faster and because the fish become more comfortable moving up and feeding.

Fish still need to eat during winter, so they do bite. However, their metabolism is slower when the water is colder, so they don’t need to eat as frequently, and they won’t waste calories chasing baits.

Because presentations generally must be slower and kept in key zones, fish get longer looks, which necessitates lures that have a natural appearance and action. Winter fishing tends to be more about coaxing bites than prompting reaction strikes.

Because of sun’s daily warming influence, fish often feed more actively late in the day than early. Most still favor the hunting advantages low light offers and will feed at daylight. The evening low-light period can be even better, though. Although the air is usually cooling by then, the water has been gradually warming all day and won’t begin cooling again until well after dark.

Cool- and cold-water species, like walleyes and trout, are less slowed by winter temperatures. In fact, toward the Southern end of their range, water temperatures are closer to preferred ranges during winter than they are through the hottest days of summer.

Four of the best types of artificial lure for catching fish of various kinds during the winter are suspending jerkbaits, jigging spoons, blade baits and feather jigs. Each offers unique appeals for cold-water fishing.

• Suspending Jerkbait – “Suspending” is the key word. Slender suspending minnows like the BOOYAH Flash Point and Smithwick Suspending Rogue do their dancing in key zones and then suspend there irresistibly when paused, allowing you to slow presentations and coax strikes.
• Jigging Spoon – Heavy metal spoons like a War Eagle Jigging Spoon or Cotton Cordell CC Spoon allow you to get directly over fish that are piled up during the winter and keep an imitation of a struggling baitfish constantly in the zone. These are excellent multi-species lures, and it’s not uncommon during winter to catch several kinds of fish from the same hole with a spoon.
• Blade Bait – Blade baits like a Heddon Sonar or Cotton Cordell Gay Blade provide some of the same winter appeals as jigging spoons. Sleek and fish shaped, these baits vibrate when you lift them and flutter on the fall. The primary winter presentation is to cast, allow the bait to sink all the way to the bottom and then work it close to the bottom with lifts and drops.
• Feather Jig – Whether it’s a bass jig like a Great Lakes Finesse Marabou Jig or a smaller panfish/trout sort like a Lindy B-MAX Little Nipper, a jig with a skirt tied from marabou or other feathers offers a subtle flowing sort of movement and natural appearance that are tough to top when the gamefish and their forage are winter chilled.

Several states have specific seasonal regulations, including closed seasons for certain waters and/or species. Be sure to check local regulations before getting out on the water!

Also, check forecasts and dress for the weather, remembering that wind coming across cold water has an extra bite. Getting too cold robs fun from a fishing day, and it makes it far more difficult to focus and fish efficiently. Most importantly, it can be dangerous.

Dress in layers so you can adjust, choose moisture wicking fabrics for inside layers and dry, breathable fabrics on the outside. Also, give extra attention to your hat, gloves and footwear. When your head, hands or feet get cold, everything else goes downhill quickly.