Randall-retired Loc: Caldwell, Id.

New to the area, I live close to Marsing by the Snake river, how is fishing for bass or catfish in the winter? its pretty cold is it worth going out?

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Randall: if you can stand it, the cold, go for it. I am a southerner, in Texas and really hate the cold weather,,and even more now that I am getting old, so your question is best left to others who are more aclimated to freezing weather. Now, as to the fish, they will change how they feed in the winter, an are less active, but still eat. I suspect you will not have any crowds to bother you if you choose to go. Just Sayin...RJS

Randall-retired Loc: Caldwell, Id.

I agree, not crazy about cold weather, but I'm anxious to catch a catfish, I might give it a shot, thanks

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Maybe Catfish Hunter or Fast Randy can help you out.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, pain from the cold in as individual thing. Some can stand it, others cant. I no longer can, unless it is a life o r death thing. Just Sayin...RJS

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

Although I live by the Snake, up here in East Idaho, there are no catfish. I have wanted to try some cat fishing over on the West side. Or even closer to me by Twin Falls. However, my favorite spot in the whole world is Utah Lake near Provo, Utah. They might not be as big as some on the Snake River, but I just know I can catch them there by huge numbers. You rarely get one over 8 pounds, but it is so much fun catching them in 2 feet of water and horseing them through the brush. Or latter in the day in deeper water by Bird Island. I don't fish at night. I started keeping records last year. I use a bump board and measure every one. The big ones I weigh. I don't fish for cats in the winter. Last year in three overnight trips I got 64 channel cats between 5 and 8 pounds.

Elefantdude Loc: Oxnard, CA

I used to live in Caldwell, ID from 2015 to 2017 and fished along the Snake River many times! If you have Facebook, I suggest joining a group called SWIF - Southwest Idaho Fishing. Very good group with great information. When I lived down there, the SWIF group had a contest where you had to catch a different species every month without repeating a species at all. So you had to know when to catch a certain species as far as what part of the year. I co-won the tournament by catching a different species each month, some species I had never caught before since I lived in Arizona prior to moving to Idaho. Species like Bull trout, yellow perch, sturgeon, steelhead, pike minnow/squawfish and kokanee!!! It was great researching and learning how to catch them and it paid off :-) As far as the Marsing area, you can fish the pond at Marsing Island Park for trout and panfish. The snake river there hold catfish and smallies. I caught both species during the winter time, so it is possible :-) Have fun, if you go and be safe!

michael4now Loc: wilder id

better in sumer i live in wider

Randall-retired Loc: Caldwell, Id.

Thanks for the suggestions

Randall-retired Loc: Caldwell, Id.

probably better to wait for weather to warm up, I'm just itching to eat some fresh caught catfish

Seadawgz Loc: Western Washington

what do you do with 300lbs of catfish lol?

Seadawgz Loc: Western Washington

So I fish the Lyon Ferry Area (Palouse River) and up down the Snake in that area. Generally small mouth bass get active once the water temp rises to 50 degrees of higher. Early May to September is best for them. Look for shallow back water eddies May and September. Deeper water channels in the main stream or off the edge of cliffs where there are undercuts and cooler water works best in hot days of summer. Hot days of summer first light and last hour before dark work best. regarding Catfish there are plenty and some pretty big ones but I haven't located a consistent place to find them. Just scattered about. Walleye fishing is excellent too.

Seadawgz Loc: Western Washington

Yep winter water temperature can be as cold as 34 degrees river temp. Walleys yes but catfish and smallies don't seem to be feeding that time of year lol