Tips for Fishing in Cold Weather

Learn These Tips Before Your Next Low Temperature Fishing Trip

Any fisher wants to maximize the use of their fishing boat, and going for fishing trips during relatively cold weather is one way to do that. However, cold weather changes the fishing experience, and can make it more challenging in several ways. If you plan on fishing in the winter or early spring, you need to know the following tips for your trip to be successful and safe.

Why is Fishing Harder in Cold Weather?

Cold weather creates a few climate-related phenomena. You don’t need to know the specific scientific measurements behind these, but it doesn’t hurt to think of these concepts while you fish.

Water Temperature

Obviously, colder weather brings colder water. But how does this affect your fishing experience?

Water temperature affects the behaviour of fish in two ways. First, fish can’t regulate their blood temperature on their own, so they alter their behaviour in response to water temperature. In colder water, they move slower and eat less.

Second, fish rely on water to breathe. Their gills extract dissolved oxygen from within the water. In colder water, fish find it easier to breathe.

Ultimately, you’ll find that fish move less and needs less food in colder water, making it a little more difficult to bait fish on your winter trip.

Wind

The most obvious problem arising from wind is that it makes your trip difficult. It’s harder to fish when you have to keep your boat still against strong winds. Otherwise, wind creates waves, which generally push fish away.

Barometric Pressure

Air has weight, and the density and pressure of the Earth’s atmosphere can actually be measured. This is called barometric pressure. Cold weather has high density and usually increases air pressure.

Barometric pressure isn’t just felt above ground – sea creatures are affected by it too. Specifically, barometric pressure affects fish in two ways. First, an organ that fish have called the lateral line is used for navigation, and it is sensitive to pressure changes. Another fish organ called the swim bladder is used to inflate the fish with air to move with buoyancy. A change in barometric pressure can change how the swim bladder responds.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Cold Fishing Trip

Timing Is Everything

It’s tough to fish in cold weather, so you’ll have to look out for good opportunities. Consider the timing of your trip. Sunlight is particularly important – even if the weather is still cold, fish will move closer to the surface if the sun is shining down on the water, making it easier for you to catch them.

You read about barometric pressure earlier in this article. This is also something you should consider when timing your trip. Use a barometer to determine if your trip has a high or low chance of success. You’ll find it easier to catch fish if the barometric pressure remains stable or experiences a sudden drop, while a rise in barometric pressure is not ideal.

READ MORE: How to Navigate a Boat

Dress Appropriately

Even if you’re an expert fisher, it’s important not to push aside basic safety techniques – especially in cold weather. If you fall into the water, its low temperature may send your body into shock. For that reason, it’s important to wear a life jacket and ensure your boat has a ladder. It’s not a bad idea to let someone know where you’re going and when, in case of emergency.

Here are more tips for dressing for a cold weather fishing trip:

Wear layers – the more, the better
Synthetic fabrics or wool are ideal materials to wear
Avoid wearing cotton, as this material freezes when wet
Put hand and foot warmers in your gloves and shoes

Consider Your Bait and Lure

There’s no use in being a skilled fisherman if you don’t bring the right equipment. You’ll have to think about how lower temperatures will affect the behaviour of fish, and the relevance of that to your equipment.

Fish aren’t as hungry in cold water, so they won’t have the appetite for larger bait. Live bait will react to the shock of being dropped in cold water, and their reaction might spark interest in surrounding fish. No matter what bait you choose, you’ll want to move it slowly, since fish move slowly in cold water.

If you use a lure, you’ll want to pick something bright that is visible in stormy or muddy water – bright green or yellow should do the trick. You can also get lures that are designed to catch the attention of a fish’s lateral line, the organ it uses to see when visibility isn’t an option.

Bring Food and Water

You don’t realize how important food and water are until your belly rumbles on a fishing trip. Staying well-fed and hydrated is actually important for your health and safety, as cold temperatures can wear your body down.

READ MORE: Fishing Boat Must Haves

You never experience true freedom until you fish in a challenging climate. Cold water fishing trips can be tricky, but with the right knowledge, techniques, and equipment, your winter outing on the lake or river can be a massive success.