Will steelhead bit when its cold like this ?

[STEEL-A-MATIC]

I have a buddy that say's steelhead will bit when it's this cold. I think he's crazy, i've always heard it's better when the waters at around 50 degres. what do you think?

here's what i think....

[TAILOUT]

Ive caught steelhead when the eyelets on my rod were freezing and the water on my waders was frozen and parts of the river were frozen, but I say they are alot more active in biting and fighting when the temperatures are higher, but I wouldnt wait until the temps are at 50 (that just may be an ideal temp). MY .02 :smile:

[Thumper]

In Michigan and upstate New York they ice fish for them in rivers where there is enough pool depth to keep them a-swimmin. In SE Alaska they fish for them as early as March when the water temps are about 35. Cold temperatures are not a problem.

[SHOUGALNITE]

My dad told me a story about a trip to the Sandy's Garbage hole. The river was frozen except for one little slot next to a cliff. He got his bait in the slot and bammm. The fight was on. The slot was about six feet wide and about 20 feet long. Finally, a 6# hen came up on top of the ice and was drug in. This was back in the 70s so maybe fish have changed, But I don't think so.

Yes, they will bite but you have to modify your fishing methods. Fish slower moving water with a slower presentation.

[Silver Hilton]

I've had great fishing in 20 degrees off the mouth of one of the Columbia tributaries. Anchored with sandshrimp and wigglewarts. The tributary temperature was about 5 degrees colder than the big C, and the fish were just hanging in the C, waiting for the temps to rise. It was a fish fest until the temps rose.

Of course, getting the boat up the ramp at days end was interesting...

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

From my experience I have found that fish tend to get lethargic in the really cold water temps.

I just fish brighter gear to **** them off, and work the water a lot slower then I usually do.
if pulling plugs I will creep down river at half the speed I usually do and when drift fishing I fling about twice as many casts to cover the hole.

I have always heard its more of an air temp versus water temp deal. supposedly if the air temprature is a lot colder then the water temp it will put them off the bite. I dont know if thats the deal or not. anyone else got any ideas about the air temp versus water temp thing or any stuff in their log books that can shed light on it ?

[Fishrite]

We've caught steelhead on the Sandy at 9 degrees. The wind was blowing that day and the wind chill was 20 below. :grin: The fish that we caught and kept was like a board when we went to go home. My forehead got so cold that the skin fell off like a sunburn. That's cold! [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] We caught the fish with a very slow presentation in very slow water. There were chunks of ice floating down the river that day as big as small cars. The river froze over at the mouth below Lewis and Clark park. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Needless to say, we did not stay long. fishrite

[willierower]

Steelhead will not bite in water that is under 50 degree's I repeat Steelhead will not bite in water that is under 50 degrees. You all just might as well stay home until June when the water warms. :grin:

Yes they bite and they bite well. All you have to do is change to match the conditions.

[LCFisherlady]

I have caught fish on the Ronde when the edges were iced out 2 or 3 feet and it was flowing slush ice. Jig and bobber- shrimp and very good knowledge of the bottom.Everything is just slower....Lots of times on the Clearwater the (water) temp will be down to 33 degrees and catching is good.....again it is knowing where and adapting to the bite.

[ 01-06-2004, 09:36 AM: Message edited by: LCFisherlady ]

[rola76]

Without a doubt!!

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

I remember fishing one time when it was really cold I got a couple fish thru them on the floor of my boat (because the boat didnt have a fish box) and when I got home there they were frozen to the bottom of my boat.
[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]
I think they stayed there about 3 days before they thawed enough to pry loose so I could bring them into to fillet them :blush:

[Snapset]

I got 4 today, 2 on spinners size 4 chrome and green, 1 on a glo-go and one on a corkie. So yes, they will bite. But in the time I fished, on a normal day, I would have hooked 3 times that many. There is no excuse to not go fishing.(As long as you can do it safely)

[SilverFly]

Not only will they bite, there is a good chance you'll have the river to yourself! Like Keta said, slower water, and slower presentation. Although I would add that they go deeper too. The key is getting it in their face. If I'm drift fishing I have done well using a longer leader (4 foot+) and a sliding dropper. This really helps with detecting a sluggish bite.

[Grizz]

Your buddy is right. Don't fish.....stay home. Fish don't bite when it's cold. If one does bite....I'll be sure to post it. :grin: