Not yet 40 degree water - yes or no and how?

[@reelChris]

A local lake is reporting temperatures of 38-39 degrees.  I don't know if that's true or where in the lake the temperature was taken, but it seems promising.  In those temps, should I target the depths?  Shallow?  In between?  And what kind of presentations?  Treat it as winter water and fish slow or pretend its spring and go shallow with cranks or plastics?  Maybe something in between?  

[PressuredFishing]

Yes they can be shallow, slower seems to work better for me. Find baitfish maybe offshore?

 

Not quite sure about your lakes because our  southwest coast lakes are unique compared to most the country with trout eaters in a temperate mild climate, but the cold low to high 30s they still seem willing to hit a Huddleston style bait or jig.

 

 

[PaulVE64]

On my river system the water is still near freezing but the tributaries will be much warmer. I'll be found at some creek mouth in about 2 weeks or so.

[WRB]

The heaviest fresh water can get is 39.4 degrees, colder it floats do to super saturation of dissolved oxygen then floats to the surface and freezes at32 degrees.

Why is this important? Bass can’t survive DO levels above 13 m/gL or colder then 39 degrees. The bass move to warmer water.

Wait, the bass are not going anywhere.

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

You don’t say where you are, but at that temp the fish are a bit slow regardless of location. The answer is ‘yes, go fishing’.  This time of year, the sun is going to start warming things quickly as it gets more direct. I’d look for shallow fish that get warmed up and active. If no love I’d fish the deeper edges near shallow water. 

[Deleted account]

23 hours ago, @reelChris said:

A local lake is reporting temperatures of 38-39 degrees.  I don't know if that's true or where in the lake the temperature was taken, but it seems promising.  In those temps, should I target the depths?  Shallow?  In between?  And what kind of presentations?  Treat it as winter water and fish slow or pretend its spring and go shallow with cranks or plastics?  Maybe something in between?  

 

In my best Vince Vaughn voice: "I don't get out of bed for less than 43 degrees, MOM! I COULD HAVE KILLED YOU!"...

[RHuff]

On 3/31/2023 at 9:24 PM, @reelChris said:

A local lake is reporting temperatures of 38-39 degrees.  I don't know if that's true or where in the lake the temperature was taken, but it seems promising.  In those temps, should I target the depths?  Shallow?  In between?  And what kind of presentations?  Treat it as winter water and fish slow or pretend its spring and go shallow with cranks or plastics?  Maybe something in between?  

 

Most of the fish will be suspended wintering over channels or belly down on the bottom of the deepest water available if its hard bottom. You may have a few fish seek the shallowest, warmest water available and if that's the case that is where the "most active" fish will be..  I'd say your best chance to catch anything will be find the shallowest water available where the sun can penetrate to the bottom....   Look for the back ends of drains or shallow flat banks. Fish finesse crankbaits like a shad rap or frittside 5 or slow roll a spinnerbait. The bites will be so soft that you may not be able to feel them it will just feel heavy. 

[Tatulatard]

I fish this water temp every year as small bodies of water lose their ice and warm.  I'll drag a jig from deep water holes to shallow.   I always bank fish to avoid falling in and rapid hypothermia.  If the fish are sunning themselves shallow I'll throw a flatside crank like a tiny 04 or a 1/4 oz super spot in a lift and fall retrieve (1/4 spots sink super slow).  For a jig I like a arkie head with a rubber skirt and a low action trailer.  I use buckeye mini mops and bass pro elite chunks.  One of the nice things about these temps is that the dreaded green slime hasn't formed yet so I get to actually use a bottom contact bait.  Its like a special occasion.  

[papajoe222]

Water temp in that range, being the only factor you consider, tells you nothing. 
Has the temp. been slowly and steadily rising, or dropping?  How deep is the average depth of the area you’ll be targeting?  Is the surface layer of water significantly warmer? Historically, what are normal temps for this time of year?  
Not to mention, What are your electronics telling you?  
Focus on water temp. and its importance in spring fish migration has been a subject pounded to death by both the pros and media. Some of that info is dead on, but a lot of it is much too general to be of any benefit. 

[Catt]

Oh great! Now I need a dissolved oxygen meter to go along with my thermometer, & foward facing sonar.

 

Dang it how bout I just go fishing!

[T-Billy]

On 3/31/2023 at 10:29 PM, WRB said:

The heaviest fresh water can get is 39.4 degrees, colder it floats do to super saturation of dissolved oxygen then floats to the surface and freezes at32 degrees.

Why is this important? Bass can’t survive DO levels above 13 m/gL or colder then 39 degrees. The bass move to warmer water.

Wait, the bass are not going anywhere.

Tom

There it is, the answer I've been looking for. I've stated on here before that 38 is the magic number. I've had some solid days pitching shallow wood down to 38 degree surface temp, but never any success below that. Now I know why. Thanks Tom.

[Mbirdsley]

11 hours ago, Catt said:

Oh great! Now I need a dissolved oxygen meter to go along with my thermometer, & foward facing sonar.

 

Dang it how bout I just go fishing!

What the means is you have to find the warmer water in the system.  That’s where the bass will be.  It maybe be 34 degrees on top but, 10 feet down in the hole or in the river channel it could be 39 degrees.  Find the warmest surface temp you can find and start fishing. 

[Catt]

@Mbirdsley Sarcasm ?