The answer is entirely dependent upon which lake and what wind direction. I fish a couple of lakes that I won't blink twice at 25+mph winds. I can have a very productive and pleasant day.

On the flip side, there is a lake I fish that no one touches at 20mph, especially not in anything aluminum (or lightweight). 20mph on that lake is a constant fight. This weird lake is like being on top of a hill in Kansas. The wind speed is exponential.

That's the key for me. If I'm aggravated after 2hrs of fishing, that's not my kind of fishing. If fishing was how I earned a living I would do it, but this is the last thing I ever want to feel like a job.

6 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Summer nights are different, I prefer a gentle breeze.

I haven’t even thought about summer, but I guess it will be here before we know it. I will fuss about the wind all year except during the summer, then I’ll take whatever the weather wants to throw at me. The wind is the only thing that keeps the mosquitoes from eating you alive in my area.

I really don't like to fish over 10mph wind. MY fishing hole is 33,000 acres of shallow water and it can get pretty rough!!!!

I live in a windy area so a typical day is close to 20 mph winds - 15 mph is a treat and 10 mph is a down-right amazing rarity !

My closest lake is pretty wide open so if the wind is 20 + it gets rough - so that will dictate what ramp I dunk in at (because it gets rough enough that the waves are coming up and over the dock and will pound you and your boat as you try and put it in the water if you are on the wrong/wind-blown side of the lake) and where I can go on the water - anything 25 + and it is not worth it as you will just get thrown all over the place as there really is no-where to hide/duck in to - if the wind is up I will look to go to a much smaller more sheltered lake and try and tuck in to the tree line/more sheltered area - I know several people have mentioned that the best fishing is to be on the "wind-blown side of the lake", but here it is difficult to do as the wind/waves have miles and miles to build up and you can get tossed all over the place (ie, keep the life jacket on at all times, don't dare get the boat sideways to the waves or you are in trouble) - Wind is a reality here, I just have to do my best to be safe and endure it

Local mountain/foothill lakes I can almost always go find comfortable water by going where a hill/mountain is blocking the wind if it's <20 mph. Clear Lake on the other hand... narrows can get up to 6ft swells out of nowhere and I'll tuck into the Keys or something if it's going to be 15+ mph.