How cold is too cold for trout?
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:14 #
Monday it was in the fifties after a few days of sun and the trout were as active as you can expect them to be in January. It snowed twice on Tuesday though, and I went out to try the river for a few hours when it was 35 and the water had to be colder from the snow.
How cold is too cold for you? When do you hang up the fly rod and take for some ice fishing instead?
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by The_American_Skald
How cold is too cold for you? When do you hang up the fly rod and take for some ice fishing instead?
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by The_American_Skald
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:18 #
You’d be surprised. In SW Montana the air temp can be way below 0°F and if the sun is shining, midges are hatching, which means trout are eating off the top. It’s a one cast, one fish kind of game and you’re breaking ice out of the guides before each cast. The fish have to eat.
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by tenkara_is_4_pussies
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by tenkara_is_4_pussies
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:23 #
It's too cold for me when the rod guide ice gets too much to deal with, when I'm clearing out the ice on every other cast or so. Usually this is around 25 degrees, for me, anyway. It's worse if the wind is bad.
Some of the best dry fly fishing I've ever had has been in when it was snowing.
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by DancesWithTrout
Some of the best dry fly fishing I've ever had has been in when it was snowing.
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by DancesWithTrout
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:27 #
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:36 #
The window in which trout survive is somewhere around 35F and up to 75F (water, not air temps). Within that range, they metabolize optimally between 50F and 65F.
On the low end, below 45F fish metabolism slows way the hell down resulting in pretty lethargic behavior, sluggish fatties hanging out on the bottom of runs, and generally using as little energy as possible. While they will eat, with a practically dead metabolism, it’ll be sporadic and you’ll have to hit them right in the nose with a fly to prompt an eat.
Keep an eye on the sun and afternoon temps during the colder months. In the same way you see fish move into riffles as temps rise in the summertime, they’ll become more active in the water column with rising afternoon temperatures in the winter. Just remember that the ski crowd will be clogging up your drive home if you stay out too late.
I don’t give a crap.
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by thatgrizzly
On the low end, below 45F fish metabolism slows way the hell down resulting in pretty lethargic behavior, sluggish fatties hanging out on the bottom of runs, and generally using as little energy as possible. While they will eat, with a practically dead metabolism, it’ll be sporadic and you’ll have to hit them right in the nose with a fly to prompt an eat.
Keep an eye on the sun and afternoon temps during the colder months. In the same way you see fish move into riffles as temps rise in the summertime, they’ll become more active in the water column with rising afternoon temperatures in the winter. Just remember that the ski crowd will be clogging up your drive home if you stay out too late.
I don’t give a crap.
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by thatgrizzly
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:40 #
Jan 10, 2020 09:41:44 #
You might be surprised at water temp (depending on source). I carry a thermometer for my own amusement. They will bit so bundle up.
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by StreamAngler
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by StreamAngler
Jan 10, 2020 10:25:36 #
The fly has to hit them on the nose, they will not chase it. My best fly fishing month is March in MN.
Jan 10, 2020 15:40:06 #
Ron620DVS
Loc: Guntersville Alabama
In short, trout are cold-blooded. Metabolisms (thus feeding activity) do slow down as the water temperature falls away from the ideal. Trout motors are revved to the max when water temperatures reach the about 60° F, give or take a degree or two for different species.
Jan 10, 2020 15:43:46 #
Ron620DVS
Loc: Guntersville Alabama
Hot Strategies For Cold-Weather Trout.🎣🐠🐠
https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_trout-fishing_hot_strategies_for_cold-weather_trout1210/244927
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https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/fishing_trout-fishing_hot_strategies_for_cold-weather_trout1210/244927
.
Jan 11, 2020 10:40:24 #
Jan 11, 2020 21:23:11 #
It's not the cold that would turn the fish off as much as it would be the cold that would turn me off. I can't handle to much of the cold anymore. But where I live I don't have to. It's usually in the 40's to upper 50's almost everyday during the winter. I can dress for that and be OK.
Jan 12, 2020 00:18:42 #
Never too cold for trout. Biggest rainbows I've ever seen have been caught in late fall early winter. 20s and 30s
Jan 12, 2020 00:20:25 #
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