Shallow ponds in cold weather

[plawren53202]

Last winter was the first winter I actually made half an effort to fish through the winter. Years past once the temps hit below 40, I just hung it up until spring LOL. So suffice to say fishing winter temps is still new to me.

 

My question is about best time of day to fish a pond near me. The pond is pretty small (about 2 acres), doesn't get very deep (my guess is the deepest part of the pond is 7 or 8 feet deep). Water is pretty clear most of the winter, 2-3 feet of visibility. Largemouth (ie, not smallies). Because this pond is small and shallow, I'm sure it has some wild temperature swings and is affected by sunshine or cold nights much more than deeper bodies of water.

 

During warmer weather low light periods are typically best here, like you might expect, early morning, late evening, cloudy. But I'm wondering if during the winter, it might be better on sunny days to fish this pond during the warmest part of the day (mid afternoon when the sun is the warmest before it starts to go down and get dimmer). The last couple of times out it seemed like the fish bit better either at the end of my outing in the morning (closer to noon) or the beginning of a late afternoon-to-sunset outing (again, during the warmest part of the outing). Just wondering what others who fish these type of ponds through the winter have experienced. 

 

TL/DR: wondering if I should fish a small pond during the middle of the day during winter.

 

 

[Finessegenics]

I think you answered it yourself. Logically, the water will be at its warmest towards the end of the day if there has been sunlight. The shallows will heat up the quickest and the baitfish may want to get up there and chill in the warmer water. The bass shouldn't be too far behind. I don't fish ponds but I still think this is especially true if you're fishing a small and/or shallow body of water. 

[Paul Roberts]

Here where I'm at, in N CO, the sun is too low in the sky this time of year for there to be any significant heating. Might gain a degree or two on the S-facing shorelines, but it can't penetrate. So, there really isn't a warm time of day. Bass can still be shoreline oriented though until, it seems, the first shoreline ice appears. At that time the core water temps are at 40F top to bottom, the surface skim at 32F (ice). By mid-winter core temps are at 38F. A real cold winter might see mid-water temps at 36, the bottom still at 38. There won't be any appreciable heating until late February/early March. That's winter here. Probably not a whole lot different where you are. Only way to know is start taking temps.

 

So, go when you can. Warmer days make for more comfortable fishing. But the bass can be biting anytime.

[DitchPanda]

I ice fish alot for pan fish but catch largemouth mixed in...my experience is bass still bite early and late better. Got to imagine it would be the same open water in cold water temps.

[Boomstick]

It seems like you have the right idea. The warmer temperatures that are more comfortable to you will also be more comfortable to the bass in the pond as well.

 

I would try slow rolling a colorado bladed spinnerbait or a chatterbait, a finesse football head jig or a ned rig. Out of those, I would imagine something would produce.  The ned rig would be great because you might land some panfish if the bass aren't biting.

[DitchPanda]

36 minutes ago, Paul Roberts said:

Here where I'm at, in N CO, the sun is too low in the sky this time of year for there to be any significant heating. Might gain a degree or two on the S-facing shorelines, but it can't penetrate. So, there really isn't a warm time of day. Bass can still be shoreline oriented though until, it seems, the first shoreline ice appears. At that time the core water temps are at 40F top to bottom, the surface skim at 32F (ice). By mid-winter core temps are at 38F. A real cold winter might see mid-water temps at 36, the bottom still at 38. There won't be any appreciable heating until late February/early March. That's winter here. Probably not a whole lot different where you are. Only way to know is start taking temps.

 

So, go when you can. Warmer days make for more comfortable fishing. But the bass can be biting anytime.

This is important to point out. The sun has no power this time of year...even on a warm sunny day the water may only warm a few degrees and that's usually just surface temp. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

If you can pick and choose when you go, a few days into a warming period certainly can't hurt.  Like you are thinking, any increase in water temp could increase activity.  This time of year I go whenever I get the chance, because I know we could turn to hard water at any time.  Either way, it's usually still tough.  Its generally easier to find fish this time of year in small ponds, but getting them to bite is another story.  In my case, its generally the deepest water on/near the bottom.  You can spend all day dragging a jig for one or two bites as their strike zone seems to shrink and their feeding windows become shorter and further between.  A true reaction bite like burn, pause, burn and crank bait can also produce.  

 

Long story short, get out when you can and experiment with your presentations.  Note what worked and what didn't under the conditions you are faced with.  And be sure to take a box full of patience.  It will pay off!

 

[GreenPig]

In the dead of winterm y little over an acre stained cow pasture pond that's 7' at the most gets most active after a couple days with no rain and a sunny day from noon til 4pm. The baitfish move up to the bank to get some warm water and the bass follow. I'll catch them on small floating Rapalas just paralleling the bank with a slow/stop retrieve. My best winter day at the pond is 62 LM in 1 hour at 41 degree water temp and 44 air temp with a 20 mph wind.

[Bluebasser86]

I fish all winter and most days the bite is usually best early in the morning and late in the day just like during the summer months. Occasionally there will be a mid day bite flurry, but I'd still opt for early and later in the day. One of my favorite winter ponds is clear and about 3 acres, mostly less than 5' deep. The bass will sit surprisingly shallow around cover that holds heat and a suspending jerkbait let sit by those objects will often draw them up and out.

[Bankbeater]

When I fish ponds in the winter the main thing I look for are a few days that have stable weather without a lot of big temp swings. 

[Bigassbass]

Fished all through winter last year it was ok nothing to brag about.  In my neck of the woods I fish several ponds and I took the water temp this afternoon, in the largest one I fish 3 acres approximate, temps were 58 highest and 54 lowest.  No bites today, Thanksgiving day the fish were feeding and I caught several brim, one big catfish no bass, fished around 3:00pm. 

[The Bassman]

You've described conditions identical to mine in central IN. Also, our weather is very similar. I prefer afternoon until the sun gets low (around 4 here) if for no other reason than comfort. I've done well early but it's usually too cold for my liking. Today was our last day of decent temps for a while and I caught several including a 3.4 on neds and a 1/4 oz. MB Dark Sleeper. I promised myself I wasn't going to do the low 30's, need hand warmers thing this winter but that's subject to change. Good luck.

[Koz]

In shallower ponds you obviously don't have the larger temperature variations that you have in the bigger and deeper lakes. You might get some bass that look to feed along a sunny bank now and then, but where I fish that's low percentage fishing.

 

The shoreline aquatic vegetation is starting to rot and with the the bait fish have left the area. Once it decomposes some may hit the shallows in sunny weather and that may bring in a bass or two.

 

What I have found is that in near uniform, shallow depth lagoons the bass tend to stay away from the shoreline in the winter. So while they may occasionally cruise the banks because their feeding window is so short in the winter it's not a high percentage spot to fish. Sure, I'll cover the banks briefly, but I concentrate my time out in open water looking for a reaction strike from a bass sitting in a hollow, in a channel, or near structure.

[MGF]

I'm in northern Indiana and I never see any bait or bass near the bank in winter. The shoreline has been lifeless for at least several weeks now. Last week I caught bass in 8 - 10 ft and was seeing bait balls suspended. the Lowrance reported 47 F. 

 

I didn't fish today but couldn't stay away from the lake. The guys who did fish told me they couldn't find fish. Everybody I talked to had a lousy day. They reported a water temp of 41 F.

 

But I did see some small fish (bluegills or minnows?) moving in protected bays but away from the bank. I'm not sure what that means.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I fish a lot of small ponds as well no more then 7 or 8 feet.  I would fish, during warming trends. Even if it’s been in the 30s then you get a couple days of 50. Fish those days. Usually means theres. Storm front rolling through.   Small shallow ponds are really affected by the weather.  So a quick warm up will raise the water temps slightly. Even 1 or 2 degrees would get them active.  I would also try and find some current. An inflow would be good spot to check out. That river water can be slightly warmer. Plus it brings in oxygen. 
another place to check out is springs. See if you can find a spring. That ground water  is warmer then the pond water. Although no oxygen. The ground water mixing with the pond water will Keep the weeds alive, also keeps the pond water warmer. 
 

also Fish the northern side, even if it’s super shallow. That side gets the most sun so it will warm up quicker.  I’ve caught some large fish in very shallow water even with ice on the pond.

 

some ponds are better then others for winter fishing. So keep trying.  I have small ponds that The fish legit stack up in one area . Pond no more then 6 feet. I’m fishing in 3-5 in the narrow northern section, thats where the small creek comes in
 

for baits. Lipless cranks, hair jigs, swimbaits, jigs, ned rigs, jerkbaits, even wake baits 

I’m in Ma. So we get some bad winters. Some weeks ice, some weeks no ice. Some ponds don’t freeze completely!   

I’m headed out this afternoon for a quick trip, not a super small pond , but still A pond, maybe 20 acres, fishing a spot where I did well from Shore last winter. Legit only shore spot to fish. It’s a deeper  hole in an arm of the pond.  There’s a very shallow creek that comes into this arm.    It’s been cold out, some ponds are frozen solid, but today it’s going to be 55 and sunny.c but tomorrow a nor’eastah. 50s high winds and lots of rain. I’m pretty confident in getting bit today. 

[Catt]

Pay attention to weather trends ?

 

If the night time temperatures get below the water temperatures you will have a drop in water temperatures.

 

If the night time temperatures are above the water temperatures you will have a rise in water temperatures.

 

This is why the temperatures gained during sunlight is lost over night.

 

After 2-3 nights with temperatures above the water's temperature is what I look for.

[Mobasser]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Pay attention to weather trends ?

 

If the night time temperatures get below the water temperatures you will have a drop in water temperatures.

 

If the night time temperatures are above the water temperatures you will have a rise in water temperatures.

 

This is why the temperatures gained during sunlight is lost over night.

 

After 2-3 nights with temperatures above the water's temperature is what I look for.

I like Catts answer the best here. I fish some ponds for as long as I can in winter. Just like early spring, 2 or 3 days of warming night temps will produce the best fishing. Sunlight can help warm things up in the daytime, but you need those warming nights too. I've had the best luck toward the end of a sunny day. A slow moving jig combo has worked the best for me.

[Catt]

What I wrote applies not only to ponds but every body of water.

 

Reread what @Paul Roberts wrote,  what is gained during daylight is lost by sunset.

 

Here in southwest Louisiana it's 52° with bluebird skies which would lead one to believe that by afternoon the shallow water would warm.

 

Now look at the weather trends, last night we received 3" of cold rain, today also has north winds at 20-25 mph...not much warming going here!

 

I don't care what the ambit temperatures are, I want stability, that is day & night temperatures above water temperatures, with little winds.

[lynxcat]

I’ve got three small bass in five days of fishing my local ponds. It’s brutal. Our temps have ranged from highs in the low 70s to getting close to freezing in the nights. The temperature swings have shut down pretty much any bite. 
 

I did however have a monster that I missed yesterday on a slightly warmer day. Only bite I got and he swiped it close to the bank. I let him have it but nothing on the hook set. At least 5+ lbs...disappointing but I was happy to see a fish show some action. 
 

I’ll keep trying but the temperature changes through everything out of whack this time of the year. 

[the reel ess]

Yeah, sleep in and go after eating lunch. Fish the areas that get the most sunlight. It would surprise you the temp difference in a small pond. If you can go following a warming trend, do so. If you see minnows swimming around the edge, that's a good sign as are turtles. Jimmy Houston says turtles are a signal that it's warm enough for a spinnerbait. Fish want to eat when it warms a bit. I'd use a jig or t rigged craw or maybe a T rigged finesse worm, primarily and I'd give slow rolling a spinnerbait a try. Here's a little trick most people don't know. Try a crappie jig under a float. Don't expect a lot of bites and be glad when you get any. They'll often be better than average in warmer periods. I only got one nibble my last time out and pretty sure it was bluegill.

[PhishLI]

On 12/24/2020 at 9:23 AM, Mr. Aquarium said:

also Fish the northern side, even if it’s super shallow. That side gets the most sun so it will warm up quicker.  I’ve caught some large fish in very shallow water even with ice on the pond.

That's how things played out for me one night last January. It was wickedly cold for days, but then flipped on a dime for a few days after that. The north cove of this 20 acre pond is dirt shallow where I caught my fish.

 

We started on the southern end and the water was nearly painful to wade in, but once we hit the north end it felt like bathwater. It was still quite cold of course, but the contrast in temps between the two exaggerated the relief it granted.  Apparently the fish felt the same thing because they were there and biting. It was nice to stumble into an active bite window after things seemed utterly hopeless for hours.

 

[Mr. Aquarium]

4 hours ago, the reel ess said:

Yeah, sleep in and go after eating lunch. Fish the areas that get the most sunlight. It would surprise you the temp difference in a small pond. If you can go following a warming trend, do so. If you see minnows swimming around the edge, that's a good sign as are turtles. Jimmy Houston says turtles are a signal that it's warm enough for a spinnerbait. Fish want to eat when it warms a bit. I'd use a jig or t rigged craw or maybe a T rigged finesse worm, primarily and I'd give slow rolling a spinnerbait a try. Here's a little trick most people don't know. Try a crappie jig under a float. Don't expect a lot of bites and be glad when you get any. They'll often be better than average in warmer periods. I only got one nibble my last time out and pretty sure it was bluegill.

I saw a turtle in mid January in MA last year, bite was decent at this pond. Only from shore, nothing big 

[MassYak85]

6 hours ago, the reel ess said:

Yeah, sleep in and go after eating lunch. Fish the areas that get the most sunlight. It would surprise you the temp difference in a small pond. If you can go following a warming trend, do so. If you see minnows swimming around the edge, that's a good sign as are turtles. Jimmy Houston says turtles are a signal that it's warm enough for a spinnerbait. Fish want to eat when it warms a bit. I'd use a jig or t rigged craw or maybe a T rigged finesse worm, primarily and I'd give slow rolling a spinnerbait a try. Here's a little trick most people don't know. Try a crappie jig under a float. Don't expect a lot of bites and be glad when you get any. They'll often be better than average in warmer periods. I only got one nibble my last time out and pretty sure it was bluegill.

Thats funny with the turtles, the last 4 or 5 years the turtles in the shallows are the first thing I look for to indicate "go time" for the spawners to start moving shallower. 

[GreenPig]

I take the dog running everyday so I make a few cast in my cold 1 acre pond.

[Biglittle8]

I have found that in the ponds I fish, that the fish hang in whatever plant growth is still alive in the deeper water which is 8ft in our ponds. Maybe it's because the still living plants give off oxygen. We all know that bass like cover... Weeds included. I will throw a Rattle-trap and rip it through the pond until I come up with nice green plant life on my lure, the heavier the better. Then I work those areas. The results are usually good. The answer for me is anytime... Find the fish and pick the right tactic. Finding the fish is the hardest part to me.