When can I start fishing?

[Swamp Girl]

Here in Maine, the ice melted over the last week. The average daytime high is about 43 and the average nighttime low is about 33. So, the average of those two temps is 38 degrees. Will bass hit if the water is 38? Should I wait until it's 40? 45? I started fishing in 2023 in mid-April and the fishing was slow then. I expect it'll be even slower if I begin again in March, but if I could catch a couple, I'd be happy. 

[gim]

I think you answered your own question in the original post.

 

If it was slow in mid April, its very unlikely to be any better in March.  Maybe if you get a really warm day or two, but in general its probably going to be tougher.

 

If I was going with very cold water temps like that, I'd probably try a jerk bait and let that thing sit there on the pause for a long time.  Like painfully long.

[Bankc]

Ask yourself this:  Do you have something else you'd rather be doing instead?

 

I don't hardly catch anything until the water hits about 50° F.  But I've heard rumors that the cold water is the best time to catch the biggest bass.  They say you won't catch as many, but the ones you do catch will be bigger.  I can't vouch for the latter.  But I can fully endorse the "won't catch as many" part.  

 

These days, I typically only fish from December through mid March if the weather is nice and I'm bored and have nothing better to do.  I know I'll probably get skunked.  But probably isn't definitely.  

[Catt]

Best time to go fishing is anytime you can go fishing.

 

Regardless of water temperatures they gotta eat.

[Vilas15]

20 minutes ago, Catt said:

Best time to go fishing is anytime you can go fishing.

 

Regardless of water temperatures they gotta eat.

But since they're cold blooded the amount/frequency that they need to eat is, on average, directly tied to the water temperature.

 

IMO you've got to either go with a juicy meal that would take very minimal effort (jerkbait worked sloooow), or something like a blade bait that triggers a strike without allowing them to think about it. 

[WRB]

Look for spring fed waterways. Spring water is rarely colder then 50 degrees year around. Depending on how cold it is a spring either is steaming when the surface isn’t or the opposite a clear spot without steam.

Tom

[Catt]

7 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

But since they're cold blooded the amount/frequency that they need to eat is, on average, directly tied to the water temperature.

 

Absolutely correct but they still gotta eat or die!

[gim]

8 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

But since they're cold blooded the amount/frequency that they need to eat is, on average, directly tied to the water temperature.

 

That's what I was getting at with my previous post.  Cold blooded fish activity and metabolism is directly tied to water temperature.  If you were living in a near ice cold water for months, you'd probably expend as little energy as possible too.

[T-Billy]

This...

came outta this...

in 40 degree water. My #2 LM, and one of several fish that day. All caught pitching a T-rigged beaver type bait into sun baked wood. Get yer butt out there and get after 'em!!! You 100% for sure ain't gonna catch any sitting on the couch.

 

[Dwight Hottle]

The way I used to approach spring fishing for smallies after ice out was to go when the wind/waves allowed me. If I caught nothing but enjoyed myself I was good to go again. But for me the warmer water approaching 50 degrees surface temp was the ticket. I did stumble into an occasional trophy class fish around 42-45 degrees. My best advice after a long winter wait is to go when you have a fishable day weather wise. Just save your self for the grinding days when the water reaches ideal temps so you don't burn out prematurely. 

 

[Bird]

I'm guessing geographic location plays a roll but the lakes I fish it's slow until the water temps hit 50 for LM bass.

My definition of slow is 1 fish for every 4 hrs of fishing.

 

[Susky River Rat]

Just go fishing! It’s good for the heart, soul and mind. 

[Swamp Girl]

Well, I can't fish quite yet. I texted a friend who has a lake home and asked him if the ice was gone. 

 

"Nearly all gone," he replied. "There are three eagles just standing on an ice floe in the middle of the pond."

 

So, I drove out to three other ponds to confirm that the ice was gone, but it's not. However, it won't be long...I hope. 

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, Bankc said:

Ask yourself this:  Do you have something else you'd rather be doing instead?

 

                                                    

[DaubsNU1]

I've been out three times since the ice has cleared...water temps are in the 42-44 range.

 

Not one bite. But I'm having fun, messing with my electronics, and spending time with my brother. 

 

I did get to help rescue a Kayak fisherman...but that is another thread...

[Fishingmickey]

I had one of my best days fishing (in my teenage memory) was from the bank in a Nebraska farm pond on the outskirts of Omaha (Omaha was much smaller then). I think we were fishing just after ice out, maybe a week or so. We fished a 3/16 oz, Texas rigged black Mister Twister frog and just slow dragged it across the bottom.  Waited until I felt weight to set the hook.

FM

[OkobojiEagle]

Similar situation... small pond, ice out last Friday.  Daytime highs low 40's night lows 20's.  45 minutes after work yielded 3 largemouths... largest 14".  Each of them picked the 3 1/2" tube off the bottom while it lay still for 20 seconds.  Moral of the story... fish when you can... safely.

 

oe

[DogBone_384]

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Will bass hit if the water is 38? Should I wait

Bass will bite with water temps in the high 30's, but you have to just about hit them on the head, and the kitchen's not open all day.  Blade baits are effective, as are jigs and tubes (smallies).  If you're fishing shallow waters, jerkbaits work too.  The key is to fish  S  L  O  W.  Painfully slow in many cases.

2 hours ago, Bankc said:

They say you won't catch as many, but the ones you do catch will be bigger.

I can vouch for that.... I catch my biggest fish in cold water.

[king fisher]

Are there any trout, where you fish?  If so you could go catch a few for dinner.  They bite well in cold water and are very good to eat.  While you are catching trout, it wont hurt to try and catch a bass or two.  Once you start catching bass, and have had your fill of trout, then leave the trout gear at home, an concentrate on the bass.   A small inline spinner will catch any species of game fish.  Tie one on see what bites, and have fun. 

[LrgmouthShad]

Most luck I’ve had in small bodies of water when water is 40 or below is with a small 1/4oz lipless crankbait. It gets really tough at those temps

[NorthernBasser]

If you go fishing, there's at least a chance you might catch something. If you're sitting on your couch, you have 0% chance of catching anything. That's how I look at it. 

[steve carpenter]

Lucky to be in Texas and can fish all year. Fish smaller bodies of water and try to fish when there are 2 0r 3 days of stable weather. 

[GreenPig]

Here in Ga. our big lakes don't freeze but some of our ponds will around the banks. I've caught LM sliding a very light or weightless worm off the ice edge. OPEN WATER MEANS GO FISH.

[Pat Brown]

Yeah hit your lil ponds when they thaw and use a small lipless.  Fun stuff if the big girls are feeding. 

[gim]

Some of you guys have a lot more will power and determination than I do. That’s quite obvious. If I was fishing multiple outings in a row without so much as even a bite, I’d hang it up until conditions improved.

 

I’m used to outings for muskies without so much as even seeing a fish, but rarely do I go long without catching bass. Maybe it’s a good thing our season is closed right now.