Winter is typically a downtime for anglers, particularly those who don’t like or can’t go ice fishing. But if you’re thinking of braving the cold to reel in a catch, consider our tips for success when fishing in the winter!
1. Put Safety First
When doing any outdoor activities in winter, safety comes first. Always have a partner with you when fishing in the cold, especially if you’re on a boat. Having the right outerwear for the cold weather is also essential, so ensure you have warm jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and hats.
Hypothermia and frostbite are severe dangers that anglers must take seriously, especially when fishing outside for long periods. Handwarmers and foot warmers are well worth the investment and can be the difference between your fingers and toes succumbing to frostbite or staying safe.
Pro-Tip: High-energy and hot foods and drinks like granola bars, soups, and coffee help keep your body warm and energy up in the cold.
2. Choose the Location Wisely
Whether you’re talking about fishing in the winter or real estate, one tip for success is the same: choose the location wisely. While you may have some favorite spots to fish in the fall or summer, the odds are that those spots don’t have the same fish activity in the winter.
Some rivers and lakes dry up or freeze over when winter rolls around, while others flood from rain and melted snow. You’ll likely have to find local favorite winter fishing spots or go through a trial-and-error phase of experimenting with different rivers and lakes before finding a place with fish that bite.
3. Watch the Weather
Whatever season you’re fishing in, the weather will always be something to keep an eye on, as it dramatically affects fish and their activity. In the winter especially, the colder the day is, the less active fish will be. But if it’s a sunny day after a long stretch of cloudy or overcast weather, you’re more likely to see fish come to the surface to warm up.
Cold fronts are also something to follow, as fish like to feed just before a cold front. On windy days, you’ll want to avoid the banks of a river because they’re more likely to be colder than the middle in the winter.
4. Learn To Fish in the Dark
In the winter, particularly in northern regions of the US, you’ll have less daylight to work with, so you should get used to and familiarize yourself with fishing in the dark. Angling at night or early in the morning presents challenges. But there are ways for anglers to use the conditions to their advantage.
Obviously, your vision is impaired at night, but so is the fish’s vision. Consequently, there’s less chance of scaring off the fish, and you can approach more closely. And there are typically fewer anglers fishing in the dark, especially in the winter. Therefore, you’ll have less competition. But the risks of fishing in the winter are even more pronounced at night, so only do so with proper preparation and caution.
