When do smallies go to there wintering locations?I have read when the water is 40 deg. but also another article says once the water reaches 55 deg.Is it determined by water temp or some kind of moon phase?

When you can walk on the water . . . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

I usually will fish in shallow fast current in the fall untill I can't  find the fish shallow anymore.  Usually it's about 42-44 degrees.  If the water comes up, muddies up, and the current speeds up, the fish will commonly drop back into their winter holes and eddies earlier.  They will usually stay, but  I have seen the water warm up again and the fish will move right back out into the  shallow water again.

When you can walk on the water . . . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

Haha.Funny.

 

I find that when I locate fish in the late fall, early November for example, then they will be there through the early ice period which can last as late as mid January here in New England. On more then one occasion I will be catching them on a silver buddy as well as a jig from my boat and then the next week I am targeting them threw the ice.