I was out last weekend and it was 38* when I launched and maybe 50* by the time I headed back to the ramp. while it wasn't unbearable it was slightly uncomfortable. Of course I can better prepare for that but also don't want to do any damage to the boat. I was thinking of having the boat winterized and fish electric only for the remainder of the year, but was also planning on pulling the batteries once the season is over which is a PITA since I have to remove the hatch cover to remove the trolling motor battery.

Totally depends on location.  Here in Virginia we have access to the 3,000 acres of cooling lake for a nuclear power plant and the water never falls below the high 50’s.  There’s something about throwing a buzz bait in a snowstorm and catching bass.  We do however have to get to the lake and then store our boats.  For those of us who store outside, there’s always the risk of freezing lines and pumps even if you don’t run them.  I have put a light bulb in my bilge to keep it somewhat freeze free.  I wasted an entire thermos of coffee pouring it in the bilge to melt the ice out of the plug so I could screw it in.   I never pull my batteries and have never had one freeze.  

I usually winterize my boat and put it away for the season right after Halloween. Charge up the batteries, disconnect them and leave them in the boat. Take all tackle and everything out of the boat. Vacuum boat, put dryer sheets in all of the compartments, change lower unit oil, pull prop and grease everything. Finally drain oil from wheel hubs and put new oil. Cover up and that's it.

The older I get the less tolerant I am to cold weather. Boat is getting winterized and shrink wrapped as we speak  

I’m following this with interest.  This is my first year with the boat.  In past years I would fish (kayak) into October and then hunt until the middle of Feb.  That would give me 2 weeks or so until ice out most years.  Kayak was stored in the attached but unheated garage (40 F most winters) and the batteries were on a tender all winter.  This year I’m not hunting so I’m going to be fishing as long as the water is soft.  It’s supposed to be a little warmer but wetter winter so hopefully that means no ice and no winterization.

I am definitely in the north, but not really in the east.

Michigan is closer to the middle.

Either way, I'm usually done for the year mid-October or so.

This year is no different.

Also, having suitable outerwear for the cooler & coldest days is standard operations here.

I'm fortunate in that my rig offers sufficient storage to carry an assortment of rain and cold gear.

When it comes to fishing very early or late in the season,

the water temps are more critical to our safety than the air temps.

Unless we're wearing a dry suit, going in the drink can be a big problem.

This is particularly true when we are fishing alone or in remote locations.

I mention this because it does play a role as to when I decide to stop fishing.

Stay Safe

A-Jay

I’m South Jersey and get mine “winterized” early to mid December. I will still be fishing in November. I’m storing inside the last couple of years but was outside before that. A few years ago I remember being out on January 2nd because it was exceptional warm. This was after winterizing and then the boat sat outside for rest of winter. There isn’t much winterizing required on modern 4 strokes. It’s really yearly maintenance. I think my shop fogs the cylinders but I don’t know if that is needed or recommended when the boat sits a couple of months max. Not like the pleasure boaters where it is stored from September to May. Leave the motor trimmed all the way down so water can drain. I always add stabilizer when getting gas year round. 

 

I find that it is the wind and not the temperature that keeps me off the water Nov-Dec. I don’t see any ice until January or February.

 

I might look at getting it done next week only because I’m off work. I will just fish the one electric only lake after that is nearby.  (I only have one local place I can run the outdoor down here any way). 

I’m in Central Jersey and this is the first gear with the boat, the only tile the gas motor was run was at the dealer, I have fished all reservoirs and small ponds, next year I plan on running the motor. I have been out in my Kayak in November fishing so I’m aware of all the risk just don’t want to do any damage to the boat. I will winterize the rv after this weekend since it’s our last trip for the year.

I quit when it feels too dangerous to continue, but long before I quit, I take safety measures, such as a wetsuit and sticking to shorelines. Both of these make fishing more difficult. The wetsuit is uncomfortable and sticking to shorelines takes away what I do best, which is roaming to find bass. 

When the river falls into the 50s, I’ll only fish when someone else comes along.  I’m more selective of which stretches to float, avoiding those with whitewater, drops and  in low water, areas I know we’ll have to get out and drag kayak to deeper water.  When the temps hit 50° I’m done even if someone else is willing to go along.

Water temps have inched down this week and are now at 51°.  I haven’t been able to talk anyone into going out tomorrow so it looks like my season on the river has ended.  I’m sad, but that will change in a couple weeks when I start prepping for the holidays and new year.

I’m an hour-ish from Cape Cod, which froze only once in the last six years.
 

Winterizing my Ranger consists of fresh fluids and new filters sometime in November or December.

 

I don’t get out much from now to next March, but I’m ready if the opportunity presents itself.

I try to get out 1 time in november, then call it quits. I know guys that fish into december, but my freezing hands won't let me. 

My boat is a canoe. There’s a pretty good chance I’ll be fishing until 12/31… I take Jan/Feb off and buy my license again in March. This is literally my only hobby so the 2 months I stare at the wall are life threatening.

I was hoping for just one more day in early November, but temps are dropping, rain and gale force to wind advisories have put an end to my season. 

I go to the fishing cave, rearrange and cull my tackle and listen to the Bait Monkey whisper in my ear.

Determine what gear I actually used, liked, and then resupply. Then plan for the next invasion.

P.s. I have a gheenoe and a kayak.

8 hours ago, Angler Andy said:

I have a gheenoe

I want one sooooooo bad. We will need to talk more about this. 
 

 

10 hours ago, TheSwearingAngler said:

I take Jan/Feb off and buy my license again in March

 

You're missing out.  Get yourself a few blade baits and head 'over the bridge' to Cape Cod.  Stick to small kettles, keep a change of clothes in your truck, and go get some big smallies.

 

Wear your PFD too.

 

9 hours ago, Angler Andy said:

rain and gale force to wind advisories have put an end to my season. 

 

You too.... never give up (though wait for the wind & rain to pass).  I've caught good smallies on the Cape with @Saltysmalljaws and they will cooperate.

I usually fish into January. Than back at it end or feb early march. There are times I do not do this but, a majority of the time I get away with it. I never winterise my boat. April right before the season really starts to get into swing I will do my yearly maintenance. My boat sits less over the winter than most people’s boats do during the boating season.  

On 11/3/2025 at 9:21 PM, Angler Andy said:

P.s. I have a gheenoe and a kayak.

 

At first, I thought you were being funny by misspelling canoe as "gheenoe." Then I googled it and learned a little about your amazing boat. Which model is yours?

@Swamp Girl

It is a Gheenoe 15" 4".

Very stable and runs in skinny water well. Much, much safer then a (checks spelling) "canoe" 🙃

When my uncle had property in Maine, it was used in the rivers.

3 minutes ago, Angler Andy said:

@Swamp Girl

It is a Gheenoe 15" 4".

Very stable and runs in skinny water well. Much, much safer then a (checks spelling) "canoe" 🙃

When my uncle had property in Maine, it was used in the rivers.

 

It has to be stable to take a 10 HP outboard. It's a cool boat. If I ever get a proper dock, I might keep one on my pond. I used to write a column for Canoe & Kayak magazine about different canoes and kayaks and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't know about Gheenoes before today. 

Usually early to mid November in my part of upstate NY. I went November 16th and that was my last trip for the year. There was some skim ice along the shore. 

On 11/9/2025 at 11:21 AM, Swamp Girl said:

 

It has to be stable to take a 10 HP outboard. It's a cool boat. If I ever get a proper dock, I might keep one on my pond. I used to write a column for Canoe & Kayak magazine about different canoes and kayaks and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't know about Gheenoes before today. 

Little late seeing this. Katie a close friend of mine in Florida had a 15’ with a 25hp merc. When I lived there we would take that guided missile out fishing and it was unbelievably fast. I tried driving it but it would look like a drunken sailor was driving. It was a great fishing platform but would sure raise the hair on your neck.

2 hours ago, GaryH said:

I tried driving it but it would look like a drunken sailor was driving. It was a great fishing platform but would sure raise the hair on your neck.

 

I bet!

Depends on the year and what I have going on.  The older I get the less I like fishing in the cold. 

 

Allen