During this time of the year when the water is cold an vegetation becomes scarce, how should I fish? The pond I'm fishing on still has a few scattered coves which are iced over, but the area I'm fishing in is about 5-6 feet deep with plenty of bottom debris such as sticks and leaves. Due to school I'm rather inexperienced with fishing at this time of year and am more used to fishing in the warmer months. Any advice would be appreciated.

I can't believe Mass lakes are open???????????

In CT it'll be another month

fish near old weeds and rocks in the afternoon sun.

try rattletraps and cover lots of open water

Ya I know. I took my baitcastin rod along just in case, and I was very surprised considering that it's 31 degrees outside!!

I live in NY, heres a few general things I've learned since I started fishing for winter bass four years ago:

Fish slow. MUCH slower than you would in summer.

Jerkbaits and jigs are a good start, but anything will catch them if you can keep it in front of their face for long enough (although I wouldn't bother with topwater).

Find a warm water discharge or be prepared to fish for maybe a few bites all day.

Try to find the "perfect" gloves. Then again don't bother, as far as I'm concerned they don't exist.

Wear a coat.