Cold Weather

[jhepting]

Question for you all.  I find that when ever the Temperature drops to about -20C the fishing sucks.  Am I off my rocker?

[IceMan08]

Ya a cold front will usually have that effect.

[whitetail/walleyefreak]

I find that the bite doesn't actually slow down, but we put a lot less effort in because it's too easy to stay in a warm shack rather than being mobile and drilling lots of holes and working an area properly. I find low pressure systems to be much worse than colder temps as far as action goes.

[poorfisherman]

I find that the bite doesn't actually slow down, but we put a lot less effort in because it's too easy to stay in a warm shack rather than being mobile and drilling lots of holes and working an area properly. I find low pressure systems to be much worse than colder temps as far as action goes.

X2

[emmysdad]

Maybe I'm going at this all wrong.......

We pull out on the ice, look for a spot that looks "good".

I then put up the tent, while the kids watch
I then pull in the gear to the tent, while the kids watch
I then turn on the heater, while the kids watch
I then drill holes, while the kids watch
I then put in the Sonar, while the kids watch
I then string rods, while the kids watch
I then look at the sonar and "hope", while the kids watch
I then drink coffee while the kids fish and talk non-stop..

At this point, I just hope the fish come to us, because I'm not doing through this process anymore on one day.... 

All kidding aside, I wouldn't trade it for anything, it's great being able to spend a few hours with the little buggers...
:-)

[whitetail/walleyefreak]

x2... but you forgot untangling their messes. That stupid flip at the back of the reels for spinning them backwards can cause some disasters! They sure are fun to take though. My 4 yr old runs on the spot the whole time as he is reeling in a fish. It sure is a lot easier taking them on warm days though. Been a good year for that.

[emt]

nope-had some of my best fishing in extreme cold temperatures-the key is that the weather is stable and sometimes we get cold weather that last weeks-the fishing is unreal then because the pressure remains steady
EMT

[walleye protector]

I agree with EMT. Outside temp does not affect water temp.From the time the lake freezes the water temp below remains at 2-4 degrees at all depths because of the desity.It will only start to warm up after ice out.

[Broom Jockey]

I find that snow cover plays a big role as well.  One of my fishing mags showed a diagram that illustrated how much light gets through the snow and ice.  More light can get through 12 inches of black ice then 1 inch of snow and 4 inches of black ice.  Food for thought.

[Water Wolf]

I find that snow cover plays a big role as well.  One of my fishing mags showed a diagram that illustrated how much light gets through the snow and ice.  More light can get through 12 inches of black ice then 1 inch of snow and 4 inches of black ice.  Food for thought.

I read that too somewhere online and that's why I now shovel down to the bare ice and a bit around every hole once drilled when ice fishing.
I hope the extra light might help the fish see the lure a bit better.
I seem to have had better luck when the snow cleared around them then the ones with out, plus it's easier to ice the fish, not having the snow and ice cone in the way.

WW

[ran7ger]

 that's funny WW, i usually try and do the opposite.  i clear enough snow to have a clean hole but figure any extra light might spook the fish.  i tend to think this due to the fact i usually catch more fish when i have the pop up set up, but who knows - that could just be coincidence.