Off And On Frozen Lakes?

[Big Jon]

Ok, so I live in northern Colorado and the lakes and ponds around here have just kept freezing and starting to unfreeze, but then freeze again. I know a lot of people ice fish around here, but I don't really feel like getting into it right now. I have read the following articles on here:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/prespawn_fishing.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fishing_the_pre-spawn.html

 

I'm not sure though when to start is since it seems like the weather here has mood swings and will freeze again for a few weeks after it being in the 60's for a week. I don't think I've lived anywhere that the bodies of water freeze before. I've only lived here for a little over a year.

 

Does anyone have advice on what weather patterns or anything to look for? Does anyone live in this area that they can give some assistance in figuring this out? Can anyone in the northern states tell me what they do during this period of the year?

[Packard]

Float n' Fly, jerkbait, flat-sided crankbaits, dead-sticking soft plastics, and slowly dragging jigs. 

[Marty]

I don't fish cold water very often, but I have caught a few when the water was in the 30s. I'd say if you want to fish, then do it. We can't accurately predict what might happen on any given day and you have a chance of catching something anytime you cast a lure. I'd try it and see what happens.

[tomustang]

Key is to fish slower

[Big Jon]

I don't fish cold water very often, but I have caught a few when the water was in the 30s. I'd say if you want to fish, then do it. We can't accurately predict what might happen on any given day and you have a chance of catching something anytime you cast a lure. I'd try it and see what happens.

 

Good point.

[Big Jon]

Float n' Fly, jerkbait, flat-sided crankbaits, dead-sticking soft plastics, and slowly dragging jigs. 

 

Ok, I'll give this a try. I'm still trying to figure out when to go out and not. Any given day the water could be frozen right now, and I live 45 minutes from the closest place to fish. It's frustrating living here when it comes to fishing.

[CPBassFishing]

Drag a jig around rocks, when you feel rock bounce the jig off it for a reaction bite.

Same goes for a lipless crank: find some new grass or grass that hasn't died yet, and yo-yo the bait up and own. Jerkbaits on drop-offs and humps. Some days, you just can't catch fish. My friend caught 3 yesterday by pitching a jig into flooded brush. We got skunked today fishing the same pattern. Winter is rough and it's ok to get skunked.

[bassguytom]

I fish all winter long lakes freeze and unfreeze temps. In the 30's. I can't say this enough BLADE BAIT! I have caught all of my bass this winter on a blade bait. I use the ones for bass pro in half ounce. By far the best cold water bait I have ever used. Gold color on overcast and silver on sunny days. Cast it out and move it in for 4 or 5 flutters then let it sit for up to 5 seconds. Most people fish the blade bait too fast or not at all. This will quickly become your winter go to. I hope this helps. Good luck!

[thehooligan]

I fish all winter long lakes freeze and unfreeze temps. In the 30's. I can't say this enough BLADE BAIT! I have caught all of my bass this winter on a blade bait. I use the ones for bass pro in half ounce. By far the best cold water bait I have ever used. Gold color on overcast and silver on sunny days. Cast it out and move it in for 4 or 5 flutters then let it sit for up to 5 seconds. Most people fish the blade bait too fast or not at all. This will quickly become your winter go to. I hope this helps. Good luck!

 

Ive gotten so used to throwing lipless cranks and suspending jerkbaits lately, i gotta start throwing the blades !!

[Big Jon]

I fish all winter long lakes freeze and unfreeze temps. In the 30's. I can't say this enough BLADE BAIT! I have caught all of my bass this winter on a blade bait. I use the ones for bass pro in half ounce. By far the best cold water bait I have ever used. Gold color on overcast and silver on sunny days. Cast it out and move it in for 4 or 5 flutters then let it sit for up to 5 seconds. Most people fish the blade bait too fast or not at all. This will quickly become your winter go to. I hope this helps. Good luck!

 

Sounds good. I will definitely give this a try.

[Bluebasser86]

In really cold water I rely on 3 baits if I'm fishing from the bank, finesse worm on a light shakyhead, jig, suspending jerkbait. If I'm in a boat I'd add a jigging spoon to that list. The biggest key with any of those baits is to fish slowly, you really can't fish slowly enough. I find if I can sit down it helps me slow down.

[Big Jon]

In really cold water I rely on 3 baits if I'm fishing from the bank, finesse worm on a light shakyhead, jig, suspending jerkbait. If I'm in a boat I'd add a jigging spoon to that list. The biggest key with any of those baits is to fish slowly, you really can't fish slowly enough. I find if I can sit down it helps me slow down.

 

I have a hard time sitting down, but I'll give it a try, thanks!

[plumworm]

And I thought this was going to be a question for your northern brothers about how to get on and off frozen lakes. Only about 6 weeks til the lakes start thawing and 2 months til bass season. I think I'll make it.

[Felix77]

Upstate NY is the same way.  I will start venturing out to explore the lake in early March to see if the ice is going.  Once I see the ice is gone I will be out there trying something anything.

 

I set my expectations though.  I treat it as practice ... getting my casting arm, my skipping arm, my flipping and pitching arm etc.  in tune for the season.  That way if I get skunked then it's no big deal.

 

Oh ... and as everyone else has said already the name of the game is slow ... slow jigs, slow worms, slow everything.

[Big Jon]

I just want to say thanks again to everyone for the advice. It looks like it is going to warm up enough for some of the ice to melt over this weekend and into the week, but it may freeze again next week. I'll see what I can do. Any chance I can get I'll be out there practicing like Felix said.