Do Not Rule Out Cold Weather Fishing Trips

Many fish stop feeding when there is a drop in temperature. This puts many anglers off at this time of the year. However, fish will start feeding again at low temperatures after a few days, if not as freely as before.

Freshwater usually does not fall any where near freezing point except for the cooler upper layers where ice can often form. The critical temperature is around 39 degrees Fahrenheit or roughly 4 degrees Centigrade beneath which you will be unlikely to make a good catch as the fish will be in a state of torpor. Most of the time the water temperature will be above this and cold weather fishing can be very productive.

You must be prepared to adjust your expectations. A more successful visit in the winter may only mean a handful of fish caught compared to a net full in the summer. If you accept that it is harder to catch fish in colder conditions compared to warmer ones you can have some great sport.

If it is cold enough to freeze the surface of a flowing river it is easy to find a spot to fish. The ice decides where because anywhere free of ice will be warmer than others, at the surface at least. You might think of using a static bait rather than trotting with the flow, and let the fish slowly find you. Ground bait lightly as the fish will only eat sparingly and experiment with some highly flavored treats for the fish. A piece of cheese can work wonders when it is cold for the likes of roach and chub.

As the fish will be only biting very shyly you may want to feel for bites with your fingers on the line. You may find it is too cold to take your gloves off to do this. Using a light float and laying on the bait on the bottom works very well. Moving the bait around gently every few minutes covers more ground and often induces takes.

In still waters you need to find the deeper spots as the shallows will be the colder parts of the lake or pond. This might mean that you have to cast further than you would like in conditions where the fish are rather sluggish. Bread flake or crust molded onto the hook, perhaps with a smelly attractant added, works better than maggots when it is cold. If you can find very deep water say over 20 feet this will likely to be much warmer owing to the temperature gradient in such waters and the fish may be feeding very freely here. Here worms would be a good choice if sizable perch were known to inhabit the water.

Finally, although the angler usually shuns bright sunlight when fishing in the warmer months, preferring duller weather, a sunny day can help and marginally rising water temperatures by the afternoon can see many fish renew their feeding vigor. It certainly will lift the angler's spirits in the winter season!