Winter is a season that everyone looks forward to. It’s a time of merriment and celebration as the year is about to end. This season’s cold weather can also make anglers feel they need to take a break from fishing, but no rule says you should stop because of the season.
Anglers who enjoy fishing will find that the cold weather opens up new fishing opportunities due to the new fishing locations that emerge during this season. Thankfully, this article will highlight the best places to fish in the winter for better and more seamless fishing experiences. Surely, you can try out any of these places as winter approaches, as they are good fishing spots during the cold season.
Some of the Best Places to Fish in Winter
We have curated a list of some of the best places to fish in the winter below. This is so that you can have even more precision and better results while fishing in the cold season.
Kenai, Alaska
The city of Kenai is an excellent fishing destination all year, but during the winter, the River Kenai is the best because the water temperature does not drop. The location is surrounded by mountains, which makes it warmer and more comfortable for passionate anglers. Fishermen troop to the city during the winter for open-ice fishing in the lakes and the major river in the city. You’ll usually have a guide tell you if the conditions are ideal for fishing.
Fish caught in this location are often huge and put up a good fight before they are caught, which can motivate and bring a thrill to some anglers. Moreover, the place is conducive enough for people to fish.
Other activities available at this location include skiing, snow biking, and ice skating with family and friends.
Morro Bay, California
Morro Bay is located in the state’s center between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The city is one of the last of its kind that still practices fishing to this day. It’s a coastal city, meaning there’s much to explore and discover. The city’s climate is typically warm and sunny throughout the year. Many regions of the city are popular for their winter fishing. They include starry flounder, yellowtail, and striped bass.
Fishermen have fun surfing and fishing on the beach or at a local park because of the deep waters and the extremely rocky shore. Visiting this location is an amazing experience since you can explore the city after fishing in the water.
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is undoubtedly one of the best places in winter. Plus, no matter where you are on South Padre Island; you’re bound to enjoy your stay. Even in the dead of winter, this tropical island town has temperatures in the sixties, making it easier to fish here during winter.
Fish you can find nearshore include flounder, snook, redfish, and speckled trout. Offshore, there’s snapper, blackfin, bonito, yellowfin, and the star prize, tuna, which is ideal for anglers who like to chase the trophy. During colder weather, locations like Grouper, Mackerel, and Tarpon are excellent for fishing from the jetties.
The waters are warm and super salty, giving the fish in these waters exactly what they need to thrive. The numbers are tempting, and the fish sizes attract the anglers’ attention from different locations. If you visit the island, you can relax on the beach and bask in the sun even in the winter.
Lincoln City, Oregon
Lincoln City is a sight to behold, with an artistic vibe and lakes and rivers to fish from. The city is surrounded by the ocean on the west, Devil’s Lake on the east, and superb fishing locations to cap them all. The view alone attracts hundreds of anglers to the city, and the fishes here are always active no matter the time of year.
The availability of catfish, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Stout, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and, most notably, Winter Steelhead here makes Lincoln City a rare and highly sought-after destination.
If you visit this location, you can hire a boat to fish off the shore, and you’re sure of catching a killing. After fishing, you can head out hiking in the forest, surfing, or kiteboarding. The area is also filled with lost clams looking for new owners, so you can go hunting for them.
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama
These twin locations are situated side by side. During the winter, they are the epitome of the local’s pride and boast of quality and quantity with a wide variety of fish, no matter the year’s season. Inshore, there’s an abundance of flounder, speckled trout, pompano, and bull redfish. Fish like mackerel, barracuda, and sharks, among others, can also be found offshore.
If you don’t want your winter to only be about fishing, these coastal regions in Alabama can also give you premium entertainment. You can enjoy many water sports in these areas with tropical temperatures, including kayaking, sailing, and diving.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia
Bristol is the place for you if you love exploring and the outdoors. There are numerous opportunities for anglers in the southeast, which surround the South Holston River. And it is also one of the best places to fish in the winter. The river is home to trout, browns, broons, and rainbows all year round, with trout being the star, having large quantities of about 10,000 per mile.
If you’re tired of fishing and want to do something less taxing, you can take a walk in nature in the Cherokee National Forest.
Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico
This freshwater lake is home to a great quantity and variety of fish in New Mexico. The weather conditions are pleasant, making the experience worthwhile. The main species of fish present in the lakes include largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye. In the winter, striped bass dominates the lake, which becomes bigger as they feed more intensely.
This is why many fishermen from all over the country come here to fish during this season. You can engage in other activities, such as kayaking, jet skiing, and sailing.
Miami, Florida
Listing the best winter hotspots for fishermen without mentioning Miami should be a crime. The magic city has beaches with fine white sand, the weather is permanently warm, and fishing in this location is an amazing experience. There’s a wide range of fish, including snapper, sharks, mackerel, grouper, amberjack, and many others.
Sailfish can be found in Miami during the winter, and thousands of anglers troop to the city to fish. The breathtaking views and opportunities in Miami are worth it.
Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania
To get to Presque Isle Bay, you’d have to pass through Erie by driving through Cleveland or Pittsburgh. Ice fishing during the winter is a big deal, as fishermen from various places drill holes in the ice to hunt for fish. It’s usually cold, but the thought of the magnificent fish you might catch will chase away any cold you’re feeling. Popular fish in this region include panfish, northern pike, and yellow perch.
Before you make the trip to this location, it is essential that you first find out the weather conditions in the area so you won’t be caught up in a storm. The location is so cold, so you’d have to come prepared with socks, gloves, boots, coats, and anything that helps retain warmth. There are also ice huts that are designed to keep you warm.
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a great location for anglers who aren’t afraid of the cold, provided they can bring something back home to their family. Fly fishing is one of the most popular fishing techniques in this location. Rainbow and brown trout can also be found throughout the year, including during winter.
The Gallatin River, Yellowstone River, and Madison River, close to Bozeman, have warm temperatures preventing the water from freezing completely, which means unlimited access to fish any time of the year. In cold conditions, the fish are usually found in the deep part of the water, and if you know where to find them, you’ll smile all the way home.
How to Locate the Best Places to Fish in the Winter
Of course, it can be harder for some anglers to locate the best fishing sites during winter. However, the experience can get easier for you with the correct information. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Watch out for Deep Cuts Along Shore Lines
Fishes often prefer to stay along shorelines during winter. This is because it allows them the opportunity to both shallow water and deep water hunting opportunities. You should check out deep cuts along these lines when looking for where to fish.
- Creek Bends Offer Nice Fishing Opportunities
Many bait fishes are often available in bends with high currents. Plus, most bends have ‘armpits’ where predatory fishes can lay an ambush in wait for the baits. Surely, fishing in such sites will improve your chances of getting a higher catch.
- Fishing Docks Provide a Great Fishing Alternative During Winter
Another great location to fish in the winter includes fishing docks. Apart from trout, redfish, and flounder, you will also find many sheepsheads huddled in this location during winter. This will ultimately increase your chances of catching more fish.
Conclusion
Winter fishing provides extra thrill and excitement for anglers, so if you love fishing, it’s worth crossing off your bucket list. Of course, this list doesn’t contain all the winter fishing spots, but then, you can rest assured that the locations here are some of the best places to fish in the winter.
Truly, winter can be chill, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some fun. Pack your fishing gear and everything else you’ll need, take a leap for the adventure, and explore any of these amazing places we have listed in this article. Surely, you will make memories that will last you a lifetime!
