Even though it's 37 and raining just now and there's still some snow in my driveway, I might launch this Friday, when it's supposed to reach 55 with a nighttime low of 40. I asked @Lottabass about my prospects and he said that the bass might still be in their wintertime haunts, which I'm guessing would be the middle of the lake, where it's deepest (only 10' deep). I don't like fishing the middle of the lake when the water is still cold even though I now own a drysuit, but I'm not a strong swimmer, so I'd likely fish close to the shorelines and hope I could catch some there. We'll see. Fingers crossed the forecast holds and toes crossed I can finally catch some!

4 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

I don't like fishing the middle of the lake when the water is still cold even though I now own a drysuit, but I'm not a strong swimmer, so I'd likely fish close to the shorelines and hope I could catch some there

What is the difference if you tip near shore or you tip in the middle? If the water is that bitter cold and you're worried about it (which is a legitimate concern in a canoe), you're gonna be in the same situation both spots. Not like the water is 70 near shore and 40 in the middle.

The stated risk is there in both situations. If I was intending to do this, a difference of a few feet of depth would not inhibit me. I'd either go or I'd stay home.

12 minutes ago, gim said:

What is the difference if you tip near shore or you tip in the middle? If the water is that bitter cold and you're worried about it (which is a legitimate concern in a canoe), you're gonna be in the same situation both spots.

I have a much better chance of having the strength to swim to shore if I'm already close to it.

I see.

Honestly the juice doesn't seem worth the squeeze though. I know you have the itch. I do too. But the water is still very cold and one day in the 50's isn't going to just turn the bite on all of the sudden.

Might be best to just wait for a while. Lots can change in a week too.

1 minute ago, gim said:

I see.

Honestly the juice doesn't seem worth the squeeze though. I know you have the itch. I do too. But the water is still very cold and one day in the 50's isn't going to just turn the bite on all of the sudden.

Might be best to just wait for a while. Lots can change in a week too.

You do seem like the voice of reason. And I know you KNOW how it feels to watch so many of the Bass Resource gang catch bass and we just dream of past glory. I'm feeling like Uncle Rico:

I'm trying to stay in shape in case Coach Weather ever does put me into the game:

@Swamp Girl , Im just curious, if your lake is only 10' deep, how come it does not freeze solid and kill all the fish? Is there a spring or bubbler to keep it from freezing or is 10' feet deep enough to keep enough liquid under that ice? Inquiring minds want to know. I know when I lived in the northern plains every once in a while some of the livestock dams, if they were not made deep enough, would freeze completely solid. Ranchers would try everything to keep them open for their cattle and the fishing. That type of cold is no joke. If you venture out stay safe and know that warmer days are just ahead.

12 minutes ago, rboat said:

@Swamp Girl , Im just curious, if your lake is only 10' deep, how come it does not freeze solid and kill all the fish? Is there a spring or bubbler to keep it from freezing or is 10' feet deep enough to keep enough liquid under that ice? Inquiring minds want to know. I know when I lived in the northern plains every once in a while some of the livestock dams, if they were not made deep enough, would freeze completely solid. Ranchers would try everything to keep them open for their cattle and the fishing. That type of cold is no joke. If you venture out stay safe and know that warmer days are just ahead.

We are nowhere near as cold as the northern plains. Now, inland northern Maine is, but I live on the coast. We're growing zone 6a. Much of North Dakota is growing zone 3b. That's a 25-degree temperature difference. So, when we're at 0 degrees, the northern plains might be at 25 below. Their 0 degrees is likely to be 25 degrees for us.

However, I do think it's possible that my pond could freeze being only 10' deep and I'm guessing there was a partial fish kill about 10 years ago because my pond's bass top out at 19 inches. I'm guessing that a hole that held the biggest bass froze.

Be careful if you decide to go.

But report you catches to a us

They are going to be in the areas they can be the warmest most likely. Don't discount structure that is sticking out of the water such as a log near the shore. With the outside air being warmer than water temps, it will heat that structure down into the water and the fish will hold tight to it. Fish super slow such as a ned or weightless texas rigged senko (Dingers are great as they have a much slower fall rate than Yamamotos), and also go big and throw big swimbaits to entice them. A cold fish will exert energy for a large meal. You can catch some big fish on big glidebaits in this exact scenario.

A warm south wind will blow the warmed surface water to the north side. If it is sunny and you have rocky bottom that will warm the water too. I fished Nebraska farm ponds in my youth after ice out in April and a Texas rigged 1/8th oz weight black frog (like a ribbit frog) fished on the bottom was the ticket! It really had to be a very slow retrieve and the bites were very light. Good luck and be safe!

FM

p.s. I'd go in the afternoon or mid-morning at least

@Swamp Girl One thing is certain. You may not catch any bass on the pond, but you chance is 100% that you won’t catch one on the couch!

I say go for it. Try a jerkbait, a swim jig, or whatever you like. Stick close to shore. If the deepest part is 10’, the water temps are likely close to the same no matter where you fish, although if it’s warming up, shallow water will start to heat up faster.

My bet is that if you launch, you are going to catch a bass or two.

53 minutes ago, rboat said:

Im just curious, if your lake is only 10' deep, how come it does not freeze solid and kill all the fish? Is there a spring or bubbler to keep it from freezing or is 10' feet deep enough to keep enough liquid under that ice? Inquiring minds want to know. I know when I lived in the northern plains every once in a while some of the livestock dams, if they were not made deep enough, would freeze completely solid

I've wondered and asked this before too.

It's called Winterkill. Happens here frequently. Not because the entire water column freezes solid, but because there's a lack of oxygen under the snow and ice. Shallow lakes see this problem here regularly.

Her ponds and bogs are only 10 feet deep. I am very skeptical that fish can survive that for months on end with snow and ice on top. There has to be some winter kill.

I can easily see @Swamp Girl’s logic in sticking near shore. As an older woman, her overall odds of escaping a spill are better near shore. Bottom could be soft, but it’s better to have possible than have not at all.

This spring has been horrible. I’m still waiting around in northern MI and it’s getting really annoying. Probably atleast another week, if not longer.

Crazy the weather is. I am in western Washington and it is supposed to be 78 this weekend.

Go and fish the bank. If you can slow down, you'll catch fish.

The boat monkey says you need a jon as a stable cold water boat.

1 hour ago, Rockhopper said:

They are going to be in the areas they can be the warmest most likely. Don't discount structure that is sticking out of the water such as a log near the shore. With the outside air being warmer than water temps, it will heat that structure down into the water and the fish will hold tight to it. Fish super slow such as a ned or weightless texas rigged senko (Dingers are great as they have a much slower fall rate than Yamamotos), and also go big and throw big swimbaits to entice them. A cold fish will exert energy for a large meal. You can catch some big fish on big glidebaits in this exact scenario.

I was hoping someone would suggest tactics. I know my pond in the summer probably better than any other living angler, but I don't know it when it's cold. Thanks and thanks too to @Fishingmickey. I know where it's shallow and rock-bottomed and I know where all the laydowns are too.

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

You may not catch any bass on the pond, but you chance is 100% that you won’t catch one on the couch!

Ha! So true.

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

My bet is that if you launch, you are going to catch a bass or two.

Yeah, I think I could catch some bass. In addition to my drysuit, I also bought waterproof gloves and a new drybag for a ditch kit.

@gim: I fear you're right about winter kill. I bet some bass each winter don't survive.

I think I'm going to rig a M-action spinning outfits with 6-lb. test and toss some Ned rigs as well as Senkos. Maybe I'll throw my big bluegill too.

Be very careful out there, especially if you're in your canoe. You may want to use your kayak instead. But I understand the urge to get out there. I'll fish here in the winter when the lake temperatures are in the 60's, but only when the winds are not strong.

I'll be battling weather myself this weekend. I'm heading to Lake Eufala in Alabama on Saturday and with the temperature in the 80's I'm worried about my first sunburn of the year 😁 (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Be very, very careful out there.

If you tip your canoe in 4 to 6 fow you can touch bottom standing up. Instead of swimming to shore you can just bounce up from the bottom propelling yourself toward shore. Don't ask me how I know it works.

4 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

I don't like fishing the middle of the lake when the water is still cold even though I now own a drysuit, but I'm not a strong swimmer

Perhaps it's time to consider a good set of outriggers for one of your parked-at-the-lake vessels? @Motoboss has an awesome setup on his canoe. No way you'd dump with those installed, which means you could go whenever you want without worry which also means the collective "we" wouldn't have to worry about you either.

@Swamp Girl I would highly recommend the Sponson Stabilizer addition to your canoe. The improved stability is unbelievable and confidence inspiring. I would dare to say “virtually impossible ” to flip the canoe. You could be tossed if standing in rough water but sitting, certainly never. (Ok you never say never but,,,never)

Expanding adjustable width, easy on, easy off but once you use them you’ll not want to be without them! Being in my 70’s I still fish alone on big water without fear because of this addition.

Be able to fish when you want, without trepidation.

3 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

I was hoping someone would suggest tactics. I know my pond in the summer probably better than any other living angler, but I don't know it when it's cold. Thanks and thanks too to @Fishingmickey. I know where it's shallow and rock-bottomed and I know where all the laydowns are too.

Not all the fish in the pond will be in one small hole. You’re gonna find a lot of bass stay all winter long in 4-6’ in the grass. You catch em there all winter ice fishing. Nothing wrong with sticking near the shore. If it’s a swamp/bog you’re fishing I’m guessing it’s pretty flat, but if you have a bank that’s steeper, that’s your ticket. Cruise the shore and cast a red 1/2oz trap out. Definitely a bonus to find some grass to rip it thru. Just slow roll it steady or let it fall to bottom and lift it up and fall again. They’ll eat it right off bottom

if I launch, I'm going to try to apply lots of these ideas.

I would’ve thought the lakes still had ice in Maine?

7 minutes ago, JustinJ said:

I would’ve thought the lakes still had ice in Maine?

They’re just starting to go out over the last couple days the south and along the coast. My area will be another 5-8 days. Some will still be a good two weeks

"One thing is certain. You may not catch any bass on the pond, but you chance is 100% that you won’t catch one on the couch!"

"Not all the fish in the pond will be in one small hole. You’re gonna find a lot of bass stay all winter long in 4-6’ in the grass."

I like the advice above. If you wait for perfect conditions or "the bite to turn on" you're in for a long wait. Just go and figure them out!