Winter Fishing

[Stoneroller]

I'm going to try Lake of Egypt and Coffeen Lake this winter. Two power plant lakes that are supposed to be better for bass fishing nov-feb than any other time of the year.

The biggest issue with floating and fishing ozark streams and rivers during the winter would be the off chance of capsizing and getting wet and cold miles from warmth and safety. but, if fishing is good, hypothermia is a small price to pay. =)

[stlfisher]

Winter is by far my favorite time of year to fish. No pleasure boaters or floaters. Have the water to my self and there is just something about the crisp air. My best night ever came on the upper bull last year during the big snow event. Fished til my reel froze up solid(around two in the morning) and caught 26 walleye two over nine pounds. Had to sleep in truck til snow plow came by and still took three hours to get home but man was it worth it..Its almost that time of year

That is hardcore...awesome.

[FishinCricket]

Winter is by far my favorite time of year to fish. No pleasure boaters or floaters. Have the water to my self and there is just something about the crisp air. My best night ever came on the upper bull last year during the big snow event. Fished til my reel froze up solid(around two in the morning) and caught 26 walleye two over nine pounds. Had to sleep in truck til snow plow came by and still took three hours to get home but man was it worth it..Its almost that time of year

I say this is genius! But bear in mind:

The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.

[eric1978]

I say this is genius! But bear in mind:

The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.

Tell that to Galileo...

[Danoinark]

Best time for me is late Autumn to early Spring.

Dano

[T Hood]

I'm very interested in fishing this winter. The Urban program is a bonus as it's close to home. Also making plans to try the Current and Meramec Springs. Other ideas most welcome.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, I love winter fishing. One big reason I bought a jetboat is because it's so darned difficult to find somebody to shuttle you for a float trip in the off season, since most of the canoe rentals are closed.

Way back in the 1970s I spent nearly all my winter fishing time seeking huge river walleye on lower Black River. Fished with big live minnows in the huge, deep gravel dredged pools. Mostly sit on the bank at a good spot with several rods out, and often fish from daylight until after dark for only a couple of bites. It was mainly the possibility of hooking a state record or even a world record fish that kept me at it, because the scenery wasn't great and the fishing could be considered...boring. Biggest I ever caught was HALF the world record...12.5 pounds. But I saw other guys catch them up to 17.5.

Then I got into winter trout fishing on the Meramec and Current. I liked it a lot.

Now I mainly fish the bigger rivers for smallmouth in the winter, with a trout trip once in a while.

[Norm M]

most definitely, trophy smallie time.

how many of you fish topwaters in the middle of winter?

[duckydoty]

I love the winter fishing. A couple of winters ago I went night fishing on Lake Taneycomo and had the whole place to myself. It was 6 degrees, wind blowing about 25 miles and hour and the snow was falling. I thought I would only be out there about an hour or two. The fish were biting real good and 6 hours later, I noticed my eyes were blinking real slow. On by very next blink my left eye lid froze shut. I determined it was time to go then. That hurt for about a week but I still have fond memories of catching fish on just about every cast for 6 hours straight.

[Mitch f]

most definitely, trophy smallie time.

how many of you fish topwaters in the middle of winter?

It's tough when water temps are below 50