Do bass feed more aggressively after a bad winter?

[TriStateBassin106]

I remember hearing this story a few years ago at a tournament up here that if there was a bad winter with plenty of snow and cold temperatures the bass would feed much more aggressively in the spring to follow compared to a mild winter. 

 

How much truth is this? Fact or just a myth? Always wondered this question but especially more this year with all the bad snowstorms the country is getting at the moment. 

[diehardbassfishing]

 

They seem to Order-Out more!

 

 

Karl

[Michigander]

I have no actual data but I look forward to harsh winters as the fishing in spring and summer tends to be better than a year with a mild winter.

[TriStateBassin106]

6 minutes ago, Michigander said:

I have no actual data but I look forward to harsh winters as the fishing in spring and summer tends to be better than a year with a mild winter.

Yeah I was starting to lean towards that. Maybe because the fish have more feeding windows during a mild winter? This topic is really interesting hahaha

[Michigander]

10 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

Yeah I was starting to lean towards that. Maybe because the fish have more feeding windows during a mild winter? This topic is really interesting hahaha

I think that a traditional winter spring cycle is better for their ecosystem. I've been told that the melted snow running into the lake as the weather warms is important.

[Spankey]

I’m here in the northeast and I rather have more of a traditional winter with small rains and normal snow fall. I don’t like flash type floods any time of year even winter. I don’t care if snows stays on the ground all winter and melting is a slow natural run off. 

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

I think that a traditional winter spring cycle is better for their ecosystem. I've been told that the melted snow running into the lake as the weather warms is important.

Agree 100%. I guess that what I’m trying to say also. 

[Team9nine]

Not sure we have the right terminology here for the question. All fish begin feeding more after winter as waters warm. There is some correlation between the severity of the winter and the survival of fish, especially juveniles, and possibly other food sources. For example, shad die-offs can be particularly bad some years, as can winter-kills of all species during extended winter ice and snow cover. 

 

There is some speculation that following severe winters when prey populations are minimal/lower than normal, predators/fish have to spend more time searching for appropriate sized food, and that could roughly be translated into “the bite is better” than after a normal or more mild spring. The caveat to that though, as has been alluded to already, is that during a more mild winter, fish are probably eating more to begin with due to increased water temps earlier in the year compared to a severe or prolonged winter, so in the end, it all may be a wash, or just anecdotal. Nothing wrong with building up some optimism for the coming spring bite, though ?

[huZZah]

3 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

There is some speculation that following severe winters when prey populations are minimal/lower than normal, predators/fish have to spend more time searching for appropriate sized food, and that could roughly be translated into “the bite is better” than after a normal or more mild spring. The caveat to that though, as has been alluded to already, is that during a more mild winter, fish ate probably eating more to begin with due to increased water temps earlier in the year compared to a severe or prolonged winter, so in the end, it all may be a wash, or just anecdotal.

This. I mean, you can over-read over-think it. Speaking personally here. I usually end up just fishing while I contemplate the Astro-physics of it. There isn’t really any definitive research every been done on a regional basis because there’s too many variables. But everyone has an opinion. If you think it’s because of a harsher winter, then it is. 

[ironbjorn]

Does it have something to do with them being really shut down in a bad winter from the bitter cold and thus absolutely starving more than usual when it warms up?

[Catt]

The only advantage I see down here is a severe winter beats back the vegetation making for easier access to the fish.

[WRB]

Pre Spawn starts when the cold water warms around 50 degrees. If the cold water winter period is extended then bass start to feed up for later and faster if the water is warming later and faster.

Lower or higher lake levels also factor in the spawn cycle, weather is the big factor.

Tom

[Mr. Aquarium]

I find that if it’s a cold snowy winter then we will have a mild spring.  If it’s a mild winter then we have a cold wet spring. That’s what’s been happening the past few years in Massachusetts!  Mild winters cold wet springs. Cold wet springs-bad fishing! For Me

[DitchPanda]

8 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

I find that if it’s a cold snowy winter then we will have a mild spring.  If it’s a mild winter then we have a cold wet spring. That’s what’s been happening the past few years in Massachusetts!  Mild winters cold wet springs. Cold wet springs-bad fishing! For Me

I was gonna say there is something to this. I will use last year as an example. So we had ice out way early last year followed by an extended period of cold and sometimes rainy weather keeping water temps low and the bite slow. Then we went straight from winter to summer temps so there was a shorter period of peak spring bite window. Now I'm not complaining because I had a great spring especially big fish. But I have seen years when we have ice off..waters warm slowly starting in April and we have a strong prespawn into spawn bite that will go on for 6+ weeks under the right temp conditions. I've seen years when I can go out for 3 hours and catch 10-15 solid bass every trip for weeks or even months in end. I feel like with a standard cold winter you get a standard gradual spring that extends that great prespawn window.

[TriStateBassin106]

37 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

I was gonna say there is something to this. I will use last year as an example. So we had ice out way early last year followed by an extended period of cold and sometimes rainy weather keeping water temps low and the bite slow. Then we went straight from winter to summer temps so there was a shorter period of peak spring bite window. Now I'm not complaining because I had a great spring especially big fish. But I have seen years when we have ice off..waters warm slowly starting in April and we have a strong prespawn into spawn bite that will go on for 6+ weeks under the right temp conditions. I've seen years when I can go out for 3 hours and catch 10-15 solid bass every trip for weeks or even months in end. I feel like with a standard cold winter you get a standard gradual spring that extends that great prespawn window.

I hope so, as I'm writing this we just got hammered with 6 inches of snow today. Spring can't get here any quicker. 

[Bluebasser86]

Maybe this will help answer your question.

 

[Sam]

Bass activity is controlled by water temperature, among other variables, but mostly water temperature.

 

When the water temperature is on the cold side, under 40*, the bass' metabolism slows down and they eat very little as they move very little.

 

When the water starts to warm the bass will become active and start to feed. (Remember, the north and western banks heat up the fastest in the mornings from morning sunlight)

 

Here is a simple chart regarding how long it takes for a bass to digest a minnow from the late and great Ken Cook who passed away in 2016. Ken won the 1991 Bassmaster Classic and is one of the top 50 all time BASS pros based on winnings and tournament placements.

 

Ken graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in zoology and his studies of the bass continued during his lifetime. 

 

I was fortunate to hear Ken give a fantastic presentation on bass behavior at the old Bassmaster University seminars. Here is what Ken told us:

 

Bass are cold blooded and optimistic predators. With that in mind, here is the Speed of Metabolism chart Ken presented:

 

TEMPERATURE              DAYS/HOURS TO DIGEST A MINNOW

40*                                 8 Days

50*                                 7 Days

60*                                 2 and a Half Days

70*                                 24 Hours

80* and Higher              18 Hours

 

The most efficient temperature is between 73* and 75*.

So to directly answer your query: It depends on the water temperature and the amount of forage the bass can eat as the water gets warmer into spring and summer. Add to this the length of time the water temperature was on the "cold side" in January, February, and March and you can figure out how aggressive the bass will be after a "hard winter."

 

The longer and colder the winter the more forage the bass will be seeking to eat.

 

So take this information and parlay it into your spring fishing.  Good luck.

[Bird]

23 hours ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

I remember hearing this story a few years ago at a tournament up here that if there was a bad winter with plenty of snow and cold temperatures the bass would feed much more aggressively in the spring to follow compared to a mild winter. 

 

How much truth is this? Fact or just a myth? Always wondered this question but especially more this year with all the bad snowstorms the country is getting at the moment. 

I sure hope there's some truth to that theory as I've not seen grass for over a month and have not been able to fish because of the harsh winter. 

 

I'm going to be optimistic and say YES....the bass fishing is going to be phenomenal this spring, they'll be jumping around like Asian carp, can't wait.

[Mr. Aquarium]

10 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

I was gonna say there is something to this. I will use last year as an example. So we had ice out way early last year followed by an extended period of cold and sometimes rainy weather keeping water temps low and the bite slow. Then we went straight from winter to summer temps so there was a shorter period of peak spring bite window. Now I'm not complaining because I had a great spring especially big fish. But I have seen years when we have ice off..waters warm slowly starting in April and we have a strong prespawn into spawn bite that will go on for 6+ weeks under the right temp conditions. I've seen years when I can go out for 3 hours and catch 10-15 solid bass every trip for weeks or even months in end. I feel like with a standard cold winter you get a standard gradual spring that extends that great prespawn window.

Yep. Here in Ma. The ice is iffy.  Get snow and cold temps for a week or so then it opens up.  So there’s really no ice out time. Just wait for March when it starts to warm up.   Last winter it was 40s and 50s in the winter, even 60s and 70s in January and February. March came through thats when winter hit. I was catching topwater bass in February here in Ma. Cold west spring They don’t stage as well. Bites tougher for me during the spring if it’s cold and wet.  Especially for big bass.  They move up spawn quick and it a over. 
 

First I’ve ice fished locally in 6 years. Finally get snow this winter. Figures crossed!!! 

[Fishlegs]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

Bass activity is controlled by water temperature, among other variables, but mostly water temperature.

 

When the water temperature is on the cold side, under 40*, the bass' metabolism slows down and they eat very little as they move very little.

 

When the water starts to warm the bass will become active and start to feed. (Remember, the north and western banks heat up the fastest in the mornings from morning sunlight)

 

Here is a simple chart regarding how long it takes for a bass to digest a minnow from the late and great Ken Cook who passed away in 2016. Ken won the 1991 Bassmaster Classic and is one of the top 50 all time BASS pros based on winnings and tournament placements.

 

Ken graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in zoology and his studies of the bass continued during his lifetime. 

 

I was fortunate to hear Ken give a fantastic presentation on bass behavior at the old Bassmaster University seminars. Here is what Ken told us:

 

Bass are cold blooded and optimistic predators. With that in mind, here is the Speed of Metabolism chart Ken presented:

 

TEMPERATURE              DAYS/HOURS TO DIGEST A MINNOW

40*                                 8 Days

50*                                 7 Days

60*                                 2 and a Half Days

70*                                 24 Hours

80* and Higher              18 Hours

 

The most efficient temperature is between 73* and 75*.

So to directly answer your query: It depends on the water temperature and the amount of forage the bass can eat as the water gets warmer into spring and summer. Add to this the length of time the water temperature was on the "cold side" in January, February, and March and you can figure out how aggressive the bass will be after a "hard winter."

 

The longer and colder the winter the more forage the bass will be seeking to eat.

 

So take this information and parlay it into your spring fishing.  Good luck.

Fascinating info. Thanks for sharing that. I’ve been trying to learn about winter/cold water fishing, and your post summarized it as well as anything I’ve seen.

 

I’ve read that shad start dying when the water temp falls below 45-ish degrees. According to the chart, that’s the temp where bass need the least amount of food. As opportunistic predators, do bass aggressively seek out dying shad in cold water, or just passively eat what falls right in front of them?

[Team9nine]

3 hours ago, Sam said:

 

So to directly answer your query: It depends on the water temperature and the amount of forage the bass can eat as the water gets warmer into spring and summer. Add to this the length of time the water temperature was on the "cold side" in January, February, and March and you can figure out how aggressive the bass will be after a "hard winter."

 

The longer and colder the winter the more forage the bass will be seeking to eat.

 

Lost me somewhere, as that makes no sense...Maybe I’m missing something 

[WRB]

We are discussing behavior of bass that live under ice, that eliminates Florida strain LMB, Spotted Bass leaving Northern LMB and Smallmouth Bass.

Texas could experience a major die off this year do to water temps below 45 degrees. FLorida strains will be in trouble if lakes ice over.

The cold water bass metabolism is slowed down, the longer they can’t feed aggressively they lose body fat developed prior the lakes freezing. The longer the bass lose body fat their need to feed or starve. 

My experience fishing for bass at Big Bear lake that freezes over only 1 or 2 months the longer the freeze the aggressive the bass were after the thaw if the water warmed up quickly.

Big Bear lake had Florida strain LMB planted in the early 70’s, they didn’t survive the winter. FLMB tolerate higher water temps but 45 f appears to be their lower limit.

Tom

 

[J Francho]

I thought they fed all winter, just that the colder water slowed their metabolism, meaning they needed less food to survive, and ate less.  I was under the impression that it didn't get much colder than 32* F under water, so I'm not sure whether they care what the temps are above the water if they're below freezing.  I've always just worked under the assumption that warming trends mean an uptick in feeding activity.

[TnRiver46]

17 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I thought they fed all winter, just that the colder water slowed their metabolism, meaning they needed less food to survive, and ate less.  I was under the impression that it didn't get much colder than 32* F under water, so I'm not sure whether they care what the temps are above the water if they're below freezing.  I've always just worked under the assumption that warming trends mean an uptick in feeding activity.

It certainly does not get colder than 32 under water! Haha

 

I heard there are some frozen coves in texas currently 

[WRB]

Unlike trout that can tolerate higher levels of dissolved oxygen 12+ mg/L LMB bass tolerate 3-12 mg/L higher or lower can be fatal. Water temperature 39.4 f starts to super saturate with dissolved oxygen getting lighter density and moves upward near the surface freezing at 32f.

This is 1 reason the bass go deeper to find warmer water and survive DO levels. Greeen vegetation under ice is minimal to protect prey fish and crawdads tend to burrow into clay areas, food sources are limited and Bass need less food. They still need some food and be healthy enough to hunt for it. 

What I am saying the longer bass spend in water under 40 f the more aggressive they become when water warms after ice out.

Tom

 

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I thought they fed all winter, just that the colder water slowed their metabolism, meaning they needed less food to survive, and ate less.  I was under the impression that it didn't get much colder than 32* F under water, so I'm not sure whether they care what the temps are above the water if they're below freezing.  I've always just worked under the assumption that warming trends mean an uptick in feeding activity.

 

This is where my mind is at. If metabolism slows, then bass require less food to maintain body weight. Doesn't matter whether they eat once every 2 weeks in the coldest water, or once every 3 days in warmer water. Either way they get what the body requires to maintain status quo. Current biological theory is that, "winter feeding occurs, but only to permit individuals to maintain minimal activity rates and routine metabolism rather than to fuel  growth or gonadal development, and that feeding only occurs when energy stores decline to a critical level."

 

It is during the fall that fish feed more often or aggressively as a means of increasing energy stores in preparation for the winter. This pattern seems to hold for most sunfish species. It doesn't preclude that a few fish that have been particularly affected negatively  during winter wouldn't have to feed more often coming out of winter, but it doesn't appear to be the normal pattern of behavior.

 

@Paul Roberts Care to chime in with your thoughts and observations on this subject...