Cold-Climate Fishing Tips
Colder months doesn’t necessarily mean an end to good fishing but it does mean changing to a deep depth to find the fish.
Winter fishing means a changed environment for the fish populations within lakes and reservoirs compared to that of the warmer months. Vegetation is dying with diminishing light penetration into the depths resulting in less oxygen in the water, more murkiness and less cover for protection. As the vegetation that was dependent more on the abundant light recedes into the deeper depths, fish that inhibited those areas are moving with the receding growth. Other fish are following the smaller baitfish to deeper sections of the body of water or to areas that still provide opportunity to feed such as remaining green weeds in the shallow.
Winter fishing also means a change to how to fish and to get that finger freezing bite. As oxygen is scarce and changing levels within the body of water, fish are remaining still and possibly packed together and only moving to adjust for oxygen level fluctuations. Bass fishing can result in some large hits but fishing slowly and exhibiting more than the usual patience is key. Finding the location of where schooled fish are still at is the hard part followed by the even harder part of triggering a strike by trying to convince the fish to utilize energy reserves for a potential meal that will not only replenish the used strike energy but gain reserves.
Fishing slowly around drop offs and exploring the feeding zones slightly below the drop-offs could land great results. Utilizing a jig and walking it off the drop to achieve that free fall strike works well in winter months.
Even for cold water species such as trout, fishing may produce better results near or at the bottom of the lake or reservoir. Feed sources are simply reduced in the cold winter months and trout and other cold water fish fend well feeding off the bottom or around the oxygen rich waters flowing in from streams.
Altering your fishing technique to a very slow action isn’t the only thing you may need to change. Fishing deep bottom flats of lakes and reservoirs also means using heavier weight to hold the fishing rig on the bottom or to sink your lure and baits down deep, the more powerful your rod needs to be with your choice of tackle.