Does the bite slow down when it is this cold?

[Riceisnice]

Folks,

I was thinking about braving the cold tonight but the "wise men" in my family (uncles, father) say that the bite is worse in cold weather. What do you wiseguys think? Is there validity to this claim or are they just afriad of freezing their hind ends?

Thanks!

[mrklean]

I personally have caught fish in real cold weather but i think its a little harder.

[Sartell Angler]

unless you can stay comfortable in a house it probably isn't worth it, but if you've got a heater and want to go don't let a little cold weather stop you--just dress right.

I've pounded walleyes during cold snaps when it took everything I had just to bait the hook and get it to the bottom...but every time I did I had a fish on instantly. If it is a really high-pressure system you're going to struggle I think though.

I'll be out most of the day on Sunday in a portable. When you work all week you play the cards you're dealt!

[rockman]

The barometer reading I have here right now is 30.36 inches.It has risen slowly over the last 24 hours.The cold weather system we had a couple of weeks ago had barometric pressure readings of almost 31.00 inches!The fishing got really tough during that time.The high pressure ridge is almost right over us,so the barometer will level off for awhile.It will affect the fishing somewhat,but not like a couple of weeks ago.Usually a steady barometric presure reading is better for the fish bite.Remember,too,we are nearing full moon phase,so fishing should pick up regardless of weather conditions.That isn't burned in stone,mind you, but a trend I have seen in the past.

[walleyeking19]

i really haven't noticed much of a differnce this year when it is cold. but maybe thats because i haven't caught many fish through the ice this year.

[SchloeRide]

I think the biggest difference when it's cold is that it makes it a little harder to move to find the fish. If you have a spot for the evening or night bite and aren't going to move, you can still catch fish when it's cold like this. The biggest pike I ever saw caught was a 20-lb hog on Red Lake with the temp -10 and the wind chills -40.

[gopher_nation]

Rockman hit it right on. The cold weather only makes fishing tougher for us, the water temp isn't changing, it only makes the ice thunder and boom as it grows thicker. Pressure changes are going effect the bite. High pressure slows or stops the bite, but a steady high pressure will put them back in the mood. Falling pressure is the best, hence the good fishing before a storm. Low pressure is usually decent as well. There are always fish somewhere that will bite on the right presentation. I've also either seen or read that pike seem to be less effected by pressure, so they can be targeted in tough times. Pressure never will make my decision to go fishing or not, I've got limited time to fish so I go whenever I can no matter the conditions as long as the roads can get me there.

[Dean Schellinger]

I am with you gopher nation. If I have plans to get out fishing, I usually go regardless of the weather. Its not all about catching fish either. Even this past Sunday when it was super cold, we didn't even have to fire up the heater until it got dark outside. The sun kept out black portable toasty warm and we managed to catch a few fish as well.