How to Successfully Fish in the Winter

2 Expert Tips for First Time Winter Fishermen

Steven Mesia is an avid outdoorsman with a knack for sailing and fishing. He spends his free time restoring sailboats; uncovering the beauty hidden underneath years of wear is his specialty. Even when the water freezes over for winter, Steven Mesia is still casting a line and fishing freely like a fisherman should!

For the novice fisherman, fishing season ends when the summer sun goes down. But any seasoned sailor knows full well that fishing is a year-round event! Personally, I find the added challenge of the chill to be something to look forward to. While some people fish to relax and savor the soothing moments of a summer vacation, I enjoy a healthy balance of low and high intensity in my fishing trips. Throughout the seasons, I maintain and set sail on my boats. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s the hottest day of summer or the coldest day of winter -- I’m taking my boat out for an adventure and my fishing gear is coming with me!

If you’re looking to give winter fishing a first time go, keep these two expert tips in mind:

Wear (many, many) Layers

No, that’s not a typo -- ‘many, many’ is right on the money! It goes without saying that the winter wind packs a serious punch. If you’ve ever made the unfortunate mistake of shoveling your driveway without a scarf or ski mask on, then you know full well that the burn of the freeze comes with a stronger sting than any sunburn! Double, triple or even quadruple up on your layers before venturing off into the white, icy chill of a winter’s fishing trip. Rely on a solid base, like a thermal long John suit and dress to impress the Abominable Snowman! Of course, you’ll want to maintain your mobility, so keep that in mind when picking your layers. You don’t want to waddle around like a giant marshmallow, but you do want to keep warm! (Pro tip: hand-warmers are your best friends.)

Bring out the Big Bait

Nothing’s tastier than a tiny, lifeless bit of rubber floating in a freezing lake. Nothing screams ‘delicious’ quite like a rock-solid and flavorless meal you have to fight like a warrior for! Right?!

If that tantalizing description made you hungry, I’ve got some bad news: you’re not thinking like a fish. Any hunter knows that you’ve got to think like the prey in order to be victorious as the predator. The truth is, when the lakes glisten with a wintery, icy hue, the fish feel as lazy as you do on a chilly Sunday morning. Fish aren’t going to leap into your catch bucket with the tease of a cold and tasteless bit of bait. When fishing during the winter, make sure you’re fully stocked with big, slow-moving lures. As an added bonus, warm up your bait before casting it out. Put it this way: when you wake up in the morning, frozen from head to toe, you’ll be more likely to crave a steamy bowl of oatmeal rather than an ice-cold bowl of cereal. The fish lingering in the winter waters will feel much the same. Draw them in with warm, tasty bait. (Pro tip: store your bait in your coat pocket to keep it from freezing.)

For more expert advice on fishing, sailing, hunting and more, follow Steven Mesia on Quora.